Graduate DSO Engineer, Electricity Distribution, Cardiff

We’re National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED), the owner and operator behind the electricity distribution systems for the Midlands, the Southwest of England and South Wales. Serving communities of more than 8 million people, our expert teams deliver heat, light and power for homes and businesses. National Grid employs over 29,000 people worldwide. We are building an inclusive workplace, a place to actively celebrate the cultures, personalities and preferences of our colleagues – who in turn help to build the success of our business and reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.

Within NGED, the Distribution System Operator (DSO) plays a key role in enabling a smarter, more flexible and lower-carbon energy system. The DSO works to maximise the capacity of the existing electricity network, forecast future demand and develop innovative solutions that help meet changing customer needs. Through activities such as flexibility market development, network operation, and planning and network development, the DSO helps support decarbonisation while ensuring the electricity network remains efficient, reliable and ready for the future.

As a Graduate DSO Engineer, you'll join one of our core DSO teams and help shape the future of electricity distribution. You'll gain hands-on experience supporting activities such as flexibility services, network planning, system operation and network development, while developing an understanding of how the electricity network is evolving to support net zero. Through real project work, industry collaboration and placements across a range of business areas, you'll build technical, analytical and commercial skills while gaining valuable insight into the operation of a modern Distribution System Operator.

What You'll Do

• You'll help develop the flexibility services that support a smarter, more efficient electricity network and enable the transition to a low-carbon energy future.
• Analyse network, flexibility and operational data to identify trends, assess performance and support decision-making.
• Support assessments of network needs and explore where flexibility services can help manage constraints and maximise network capacity.
• Learn how flexibility services are procured and dispatched through NGED's Market Gateway platform, helping to develop and publish service requirements.
• Contribute to projects and industry trials that explore innovative uses of flexibility to solve emerging network challenges.
• Help assess how technologies such as battery storage, electric vehicles, heat pumps and other distributed energy resources can support network operation.
• Support regulatory reporting and analysis, while developing an understanding of the commercial, policy and regulatory environment in which electricity networks operate.
• Work collaboratively with engineering, operational and commercial teams, as well as flexibility providers and industry partners, to support the development of flexibility markets.
• Build your analytical and technical skills using tools such as Excel, Power BI and Python to generate insights and support evidence-based decision-making.

What You'll Need to Apply

• You'll need to achieve a minimum 2:2 in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Power Systems Engineering, Energy Engineering or 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 the future of energy, electricity networks and the transition to net zero.
• You'll enjoy analysing information, solving problems and working with data, while being eager to develop your understanding of network operation, planning and flexibility services within a collaborative and fast-evolving environment.

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 June 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 requirements of this role you'll need to travel to sites, depots/offices and our training centres.

Location

This role is based in Rumney, Cardiff and with travel to work across the South Wales region. You'll be expected to attend your contractual office location at least three days per week so you'll need to live within a commutable distance of this office.

What You'll Get In Return

• We are proud to offer a starting salary of £38,472 with annual salary increases throughout the programme.
• 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

You can apply for only one opportunity across all Early Careers and Career Changer programmes. Before applying, please carefully review all available programmes and choose the one that best matches your interests and career goals. 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.