Graduate Development Engineer, Portfolio & Strategy Development, Warwick
About the Position
Portfolio, Strategy and Development, or PS&D, helps shape National Grid’s future direction by looking ahead at the infrastructure, investment and strategic choices needed to support the UK’s changing energy needs. Working at the early stages of major infrastructure development, the team helps identify future needs, shape strategy and support the development and management of the project portfolio. This helps ensure the right projects and approaches are progressed at the right time.
As a Graduate Development Engineer, you will help shape and progress major electricity infrastructure projects through their early stages of development. Working alongside experienced development engineers and multidisciplinary project colleagues, you will develop an understanding of how an infrastructure need is translated into a technically sound and deliverable investment proposal. You will contribute to option selection, technical scoping, cost estimating and investment governance, helping prepare the information and documentation needed to support project decisions. You will learn how engineering, commercial, financial, planning and delivery considerations are brought together to support informed investment decisions.
What You'll Do
You'll help develop the engineering solutions and investment proposals that support the future electricity transmission network.
- Support the early development of major electricity infrastructure projects, helping progress investments through key development stages.
- Assess and compare engineering options, contributing to the selection of safe, efficient and fit-for-purpose solutions.
- Help prepare technical scoping documents and support front-end engineering design activities.
- Contribute to the development and review of project cost estimates, assumptions, risks and dependencies.
- Support the preparation of investment papers, business cases and governance materials used to inform project decisions.
- Work with engineering, commercial, financial and project delivery colleagues to bring together the information needed to support investment proposals.
- Maintain project information, documentation and systems, ensuring key information is accurate and up to date.
- Develop an understanding of how technical decisions influence project costs, schedules, risks and delivery outcomes.
What You'll Need to Apply
You'll need to achieve a minimum 2:2 in Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Energy Engineering, or a closely related degree discipline.
It doesn't matter when you graduated or whether you're currently studying towards your qualification. We're looking for graduates with an interest in major infrastructure, engineering development and the energy transition, who enjoy analysing information, comparing options and solving complex problems. You'll be keen to develop practical engineering solutions, communicate technical information clearly and build an understanding of how major infrastructure projects progress from concept through to delivery.
Please note: Due to the amount of travel required for this role, you must obtain a full, valid UK driving licence no later than 27th August 2027 (at least three months before your start date).
If you progress to the assessment centre stage, you must have passed your driving theory test before attending and be able to provide evidence of this.
You’ll need flexibility to travel within role and throughout your rotations in order to carry out the requirments of this role you'll need to travel to sites, offices and our training centres.
Location
This role is based in Warwick and offers flexible hybrid working, where possible. You'll be expected to attend your contractual office location at least three days per week. Flexibility to travel as required throughout the role and during rotations is also essential.
To be eligible for this role, you must currently live within a 60-minute driving commute of CV34 6DA and be able to commute from your existing primary residence. Relocation to meet this requirement is not permitted.
As part of your application, you'll be asked to confirm that you meet this requirement and provide the postcode of your current primary residence. This information will be used to assess your eligibility.
What You'll Get In Return
We are proud to offer a starting salary of £38,472 with annual salary increases throughout the programme.
As a first step in your career within the energy industry, our Graduate Programme offers a unique opportunity to develop your skills, gain valuable experience, and build a long-term career with National Grid.
Alongside a tailored development programme designed to power your career at National Grid, you'll also enjoy a range of fantastic rewards and benefits, including:
- 26 days' annual leave, plus statutory holidays.
- A competitive pension scheme.
- Access to flexible benefits, including cycle-to-work and holiday buy/sell schemes.
- The opportunity to participate in our Sharesave and Share Incentive Plans.
- You’ll develop well-rounded skills through practical experience.
- A £2,000 joining bonus upon starting the programme.
- A £2,400 payment upon successful completion of the programme.
- An accommodation allowance of up to £200 per month as you move around the business during placements.
- Additional annual leave when moving between placements, plus support with relocating your personal belongings.
- Dedicated mentoring, regular feedback, networking opportunities, and volunteering opportunities to support your development.
- A permanent role with National Grid upon successful completion of the programme.
About the Graduate Programme
As you'll be joining our 18-month graduate programme, you'll have a tailored development pathway to support you as you develop a wide range of leadership, business, and technical skills. You'll attend in-person and virtual development sessions throughout your programme to equip you with the essential skills required, as you begin your career at National Grid. We're committed to the personal development of our colleagues so as well as the support from your line manager as you navigate your new role, you'll also have access to 1:1 coaching and a mentor, from a previous cohort to help you transition from campus to corporate life.
All graduates complete the core development programme to develop key skills such as how to make an impact, giving feedback and presentation skills. Aligned to this role is our Engineering pathway and as part of this you’ll develop further key technical skills aligned to your role as well as important learning modules such as working safely. If relevant to your career aspirations, you will be able to access Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) membership and seek support from a National Grid IET mentor to help you secure your chartership.
We believe in the importance of getting as much on-the-job experience as possible and to do this, you will complete three 6-month placements, across the UK, designed to deepen your understanding of your speciality but to also broaden your knowledge of our business. At the end of your 18-month programme you’ll return to your initial placement area to kickstart your career.
About National Grid
National Grid is the UK’s critical energy infrastructure company, operating the electricity network and infrastructure that connects millions of people to the energy they use every day, supporting homes, businesses and communities across England and Wales.
We know the future of energy won't be shaped by what we know today. It will be shaped by what's possible tomorrow. That's why we're investing in the next generation of talent, giving apprentices, undergraduates and graduates the opportunity to learn from experts, gain hands-on experience and contribute to work that matters from day one.
Are you ready to unlock the power of the possible?
More Information
We recruit on a rolling basis across our Early Careers Roles. We may close our vacancies early once we have enough applications. We therefore encourage you to apply as early as possible.
National Grid's Early Careers 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
#gradengineering #gradeleceng