2026 Primary Network Design Engineer Graduate, Electricity Distribution in Birmingham

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

At National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED), we’re responsible for delivering electricity to over eight million customers across the Midlands, South-West, and Wales — powering homes, businesses, and communities. As a Graduate, your primary goal is to learn as much as possible about what NGED does, why we do it, and how we deliver our services. You’ll join the Planning and Network Design (PND) team, gaining exposure to all aspects of network planning and strategic development. This is an exciting opportunity to build your technical knowledge and develop the skills needed for a future career in the energy sector.

What You’ll Do

• Network Compliance & Strategy: Understand how NGED ensures compliance with Distribution Licence conditions, balancing short-term requirements with long-term strategic development of the network.
• Connections & Optioneering: Learn how new demand and generation connections are assessed and designed, and how these integrate into future reinforcement strategies.
• Industry Collaboration: Gain insight into managing key relationships with ESO and NGET for network interface issues, joint technical planning, and contractual processes.
• Customer Engagement: Support the preparation of connection offers, feasibility studies, and budget estimates, while liaising with customers on their connection requirements.
• Network Design & Reinforcement: Explore the design of network reinforcement schemes, production of capital sanctions, and compliance assessments for new connections.
• Technical Support: Assist with design issues such as generator connections, power quality (PQ), major replacement schemes, and earthing systems.
• Innovation & Future Development: Contribute to strategies for LFDD (Low Frequency Demand Disconnection) and ANM (Active Network Management) implementation.

Our 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 121 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 superpowered career.

What you’ll need to apply

You’ll need to achieve, or be working towards, a minimum 2:2 degree in Electrical Engineering or Power Engineering. It doesn’t matter when you graduated or if you are currently working towards your qualification. We just need you to be eager to apply your knowledge in a real-world setting. Due to the amount of travel to our site locations, you’ll need to have a full valid UK driving license 3 months prior to your start date. You’ll need flexibility to travel within role and throughout your rotations as required, as in order to carry out the requirements of this role you’ll need to travel to sites, substations, depots and our training centres.

Location

For operational requirements this role requires the candidate to live within a 30 minute drive of the following postcode: DY4 0HH. You will be asked to evidence this in your application.

What You’ll Get In Return

We are proud to offer a graduate starting salary of £36,640.

Benefits

Not only will you receive a tailored development programme to progress a superpowered career at National Grid, we also offer some great rewards and benefits too:

• £2,000 bonus, once joined and started on programme
• 26 days holiday
• £2,400 payment on successful completion of the programme
• Up to £200 per month accommodation allowance as you move around the business, and additional annual leave for when you move between placements plus assistance with moving personal belongings
• Other benefits include pension and share-option schemes, Flexible Benefits, close mentorship and regular feedback & volunteering opportunities.

More Information

You can only apply for one graduate opportunity during this recruitment cycle. We kindly ask that you review all our graduate 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.

At National Grid, it’s our people that provide our true superpower. They drive and sustain our growth, their unique differences only making us stronger, so we pride ourselves on placing diversity, equity and inclusion at the heart of who we are and what we do and are committed to building a workforce of the future which represents the communities we serve. We welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and offer flexible and tailored support, at home and in the office where and when needed. All our offers are based on the right to work in the UK, qualifications, the innovation from creating diverse teams and perspectives, as well as business need.