2026 Undergraduate Transmissions Engineer, Asset Operations

About us

National Grid is at the heart of the UK energy network keeping people connected and society moving. We develop, own and maintain the physical infrastructure, such as pylons and cables needed to move the electricity generated from windfarms and power sources around the country. Every time a phone is plugged in, or a switch is turned on, we've played a part, connecting you to the electricity you need - and we're leading the transformation towards a greener future, dreaming bigger to bring a more affordable energy future to everyone.

But it's our people that provide our true superpower. They drive and sustain our growth, their unique differences only making us stronger. But it's no small feat and we need the best to join us in our mission. So, join us and power the future of energy. 

About The Role

As an Undergradate Transmissions Engineering coming an Industrial Placement year within our Overhead Line (OHL) Zonal Support team, you’ll gain hands-on experience contributing to the safety and innovation of the UK’s electricity transmission network. This is a practical, real-world role where you’ll support the development of equipment and procedures that help maintain and improve the country’s energy infrastructure.

You’ll be part of the wider Safety & Engineering team, working alongside experienced engineers and operational colleagues. Your placement will give you exposure to the full lifecycle of maintenance equipment—from design and testing to on-site implementation—helping you build a strong foundation in engineering principles and practices.

During your time with us, you’ll help develop new tools and techniques to support both live-line and dead-line working on our OHL network. You’ll also explore the use of advanced materials and innovative approaches to improve safety and efficiency. In addition, our team uses cutting-edge data and aerial insights to monitor the health of the network, and you’ll have the opportunity to learn how we guide safe operations and ensure compliance.

This placement offers a fantastic opportunity to apply your academic knowledge in a meaningful way while gaining exposure to:

• Replacing OHL conductors and fittings
• Refurbishing and replacing steelwork structures
• Assessing the condition of OHL assets, including supporting contractor management for tower painting

You’ll be part of a collaborative and supportive team, working on real engineering challenges and seeing your contributions make a tangible impact.

Our Industrial Placement

Our 12-month Industrial Placement offers you the opportunity to kickstart your career within the energy sector and discover your unique superpower. Throughout your placement, you’ll receive a tailored development programme designed to support your growth and development. This includes a combination of in-person and virtual training sessions led by our development team, as well as access to a range digital learning tools to help further enhance your skills.

Throughout your placement you’ll have opportunity to make connections amongst your cohort as well as regular check ins with a mentor and our Early Careers Team. Day-to-day, your placement manager will provide you access to a variety of on-the-job opportunities where you’ll take on real assignments and projects to make a genuine impact within your respective function. By the end of your placement, you’ll have developed your understanding of our business and the energy sector for your future career.

What you'll need to apply

You'll need to be in your penultimate year at University, on track to achieve a minimum 2:2 in an Engineering, Science-based (e.g., Physics, Chemistry) or Mathematics-based degree. . You'll need to commit to completing a 12-month Industrial Placement that will begin June 2026 and be eager to apply your knowledge in a real-world setting. You'll need flexibility to travel within role and throughout your placement as required.

Due to the amount of travel to our site locations, you'll need to currently have a full valid UK driving license or have completed your theory test (and have a practical test booked) at the time of your assessment centre (if your application is progressed) will allow you to drive in the UK.

You’ll need flexibility to travel within role and throughout your rotations as required [as in order to carry out the requirments of this role you'll need to travel to sites, substations, depots and our training centres

Location

This industrial placement is based in Warwick. This means you'll be expected to travel to this base location and around this region as part of your role.

What You'll Get In Return

As a first step to your career in the energy industry, our Industrial Placement programmes are like no other. You’ll gain an insight into how we work at National Grid, providing you with a taster of the opportunities that await you. In addition, you’ll also receive some great rewards and benefits:

• Starting salary of £24,109
• 26 days holiday
• A chance to land a place on our Graduate Programme subject to your performance during your placement.
• Pensions plan, share-option scheme and flexible benefits
• 3 days development training, volunteering opportunities, close mentorship and regular feedback
• Invitation to join Newnet, our new starters network and employee resource group

You’ll gain more than just experience. We believe in nurturing talent and recognising exceptional performance. If you excel during your placement, you may receive an offer to join our Graduate Programme after you successfully complete your degree.

More Information

You can only apply for one Industrial Placement opportunity during this recruitment cycle. We kindly ask that you review all our student opportunities and apply for the one that aligns closest with your aspirations and interests.

We recruit on a rolling basis and reserve the right to close our vacancies once we have enough applications/based on volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as early as possible to ensure you obtain the place you want in the application process. 

Assessment centres will be held between November - April 2026

National Grid's Graduate & Student opportunities in the UK are open to all applicants who meet the eligibility criteria including an existing and valid right to work in the UK. As part of the application process this will need to be evidenced and verified before you can start the programme.

Please note that in most cases, National Grid is unable to offer sponsorship for employment under the UK points-based immigration system. As such, applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK without requiring sponsorship now or in the future under the UK points-based immigration system. However, in exceptional circumstances where there is a clear and demonstrable need for specialist skills that cannot be sourced from the local labour market, National Grid may consider offering sponsorship. All applications are welcome from candidates who meet these requirements, regardless of race, nationality, or ethnic origin.

Please be aware that it’s your responsibility to explore avenues of working in the UK, as we're not able to provide advice on this. For information about visas please visit https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas