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- Tasks: Lead the design and evolution of modern workplace platforms for a sustainable energy future.
- Company: Join NESO, a pioneering organisation transforming Great Britain's energy system.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus potential, 28 days leave, and a strong pension scheme.
- Why this job: Shape the future of energy while driving innovation in digital workplace technology.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in Modern Workplace platforms and strong stakeholder management skills.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 77000 ÂŁ per year.
National Energy System Operator (NESO) recognises the potential of bright and talented individuals, and we encourage you to join us as Great Britain’s energy system undergoes an ambitious, exciting, and vital transformation. Together with industry, we are creating a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.
National Energy System Operator (NESO) is seeking a Principal Engineer – Digital Workplace to lead the strategic design, development, and evolution of NESO’s modern workplace platforms. This technical role is responsible for shaping end‑user technology strategy across devices, collaboration platforms, endpoint management, mobility services, and digital experience tooling. The postholder will act as NESO’s most senior engineering authority in the Digital Workplace domain, driving innovation, ensuring platform resilience, and enabling a secure, frictionless user experience.
The role requires thought leadership, deep technical expertise, and close collaboration with cross‑functional teams to deliver workplace services that enhance productivity and support NESO’s operational mission. By championing engineering excellence, automation, and modern workplace design principles, the Principal Engineer will help NESO maintain a best‑in‑class digital environment aligned to business needs.
This role can be based from our offices in Wokingham or Warwick and we continue to offer hybrid working arrangements that allow for a blend of office and home working.
Key Accountabilities- Platform Ownership & Architecture
- Support the architecture and strategic roadmap for the entire Digital Workplace ecosystem, ensuring alignment with technology strategy and organisational needs.
- Provide technical direction across endpoint platforms, collaboration tools, identity‑integrated workplace services, device provisioning, and engineering standards.
- Lead design reviews, approve solution architectures, and ensure consistency across DWS engineering practices.
- Modern Workplace Engineering
- Govern lifecycle management of all end‑user devices: laptops, desktops, PAWs, mobile devices, peripherals, and print estate.
- Oversee OS engineering and evergreen processes for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.
- Lead Evergreen/Autopilot/Intune configuration standards, building on DWS engineering capabilities.
- Endpoint Management & Device Provisioning
- Define engineering practices for Intune, Autopilot, Zero‑Touch, ABP, device compliance, identity‑based access, and configuration baselines.
- Lead automation of provisioning, onboarding, and change processes to support scalability.
- Collaboration & Productivity Platforms
- Work closely with M365 engineering leads to integrate workplace services with collaboration platforms such as Teams, SharePoint, Exchange Online, OneDrive and security products.
- Virtual Desktop & Mobility Services
- Oversee architectural decisions and performance optimisation for Azure Virtual Desktop and DaaS.
- Lead strategy for mobile fleet and MDM functionality, ensuring secure BYOD and COPE models.
- Security, Compliance & Risk Management
- Embed Zero Trust and secure‑by‑design principles into workplace platforms.
- Partner with Security Operations, Identity, and Network teams to enforce posture, DLP, device trust, and access controls.
- Ensure Digital Workplace technologies comply with NESO policies and industry standards.
- Cross‑Functional Leadership
- Provide consultancy to stakeholders and influence organisation‑wide technology decisions.
- Drive collaboration between DWS, Security, Network, Service Management, Operations, and third‑party suppliers.
- Support major incident/problem management where advanced technical expertise is required.
- Continuous Improvement & Innovation
- Identify opportunities to modernise the Digital Workplace using automation, analytics, AI‑powered support, and advanced endpoint insights.
- Evaluate emerging technologies and lead proof‑of‑concept initiatives.
- Extensive experience at senior or principal engineer level across Modern Workplace, EUC, or Digital Workplace platforms.
- Deep expertise with:
- Microsoft Intune / Endpoint Manager
- Windows/MacOS/iOS/Android engineering
- Autopilot / Zero Touch provisioning
- Azure Virtual Desktop
- M365 ecosystem (Teams, SharePoint, Exchange Online)
- Microsoft Certified: Modern Desktop Administrator
- Azure Administrator / Architect certifications
- ITIL Foundation or higher
- Strategic thinker with strong architectural judgement
- Excellent communication and technical leadership
- Collaborative, proactive, and able to drive change at pace
- User‑centric mindset with commitment to quality
- Ability to mentor and guide engineering teams
Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At NESO, we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace for everyone. So, if you’re excited about this role but your experience or qualifications don’t match the job description exactly, we encourage you to apply anyway. You might just be the right person for our growing business in this role or another one.
About What You’ll GetA competitive salary of circa £65,000 – £73,000 – dependent on experience and capability. As well as your base salary, you will receive a bonus of up to 15% of your salary for stretch performance, 28 days annual leave as standard, and a competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%. You will also have access to a comprehensive benefits package tailored to support your well‑being and professional success. From a competitive salary to flexible work arrangements, we promote your work‑life balance. Enjoy fit for purpose wellbeing and lifestyle offerings, ongoing skill development aligned to our Purpose and Values, and be part of a supportive community that values your individuality and where you can belong.
About UsThe creation of National Energy System Operator (NESO) is driven by an urgent need to unify and optimise our approach to energy. A more integrated and coordinated strategy is needed to meet the unprecedented challenges of climate change, ensuring secure energy supply, and keeping costs manageable for consumers. Join us and empower your potential, energise our team, and be part of something bigger. Your energy, our future, together.
The National Energy System Operator (NESO) transitioned in Autumn of 2024. Previously denoted as the Future System Operator (FSO), NESO is the independent body responsible for planning Great Britain’s electricity and gas networks and operating the electricity system. NESO will build on existing roles, capabilities, and ways of working to create an organisation that considers vectors like electricity, natural gas, and hydrogen, and the trade-offs between them.
The organisation is set up as a public corporation with its own Board of independent directors, with complete operational independence from government, the regulator and any commercial interest. NESO will be licenced and regulated by Ofgem through price control agreements and will identify optimal solutions to system operations and planning in the most sustainable, affordable and secure way for all.
The time to deliver is now. As part of our team, you won’t just be touching the lives of almost everyone in Great Britain – you’ll be shaping the way we use and consume energy for generations to come.
More InformationThis role closes on 15/02/2026 at 23:59, however we encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the published closing date as this can vary. We work towards the highest standards in everything we do, including how we support, value and develop our people. Our aim is to encourage and support employees to thrive and be the best they can be. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and offer flexible and tailored support, at home and in the office.
We’re committed to building a workforce that represents the communities we serve, and a working environment in which each individual feels valued, respected, fairly treated, and able to reach their full potential.
Principal Engineer - DWS in Wokingham employer: National Grid
Contact Detail:
National Grid Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Engineer - DWS in Wokingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching NESO’s projects and values. Show them you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your passion for their mission and how your skills align with their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your technical skills and be ready to showcase them. Whether it’s through coding challenges or system design discussions, being able to demonstrate your expertise will set you apart from the competition.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Engineer - DWS in Wokingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Principal Engineer. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what NESO is looking for.
Showcase Your Technical Expertise: Don’t hold back on detailing your technical skills, especially in areas like Microsoft Intune, Azure Virtual Desktop, and the M365 ecosystem. We want to see your deep expertise shine through!
Highlight Collaboration Skills: Since this role involves working closely with cross-functional teams, share examples of how you've successfully collaborated in the past. This will demonstrate your ability to drive change and influence stakeholders.
Apply Early!: We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible rather than waiting until the closing date. The sooner we see your application, the sooner we can start the conversation about your potential fit with our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at National Grid
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, like Microsoft Intune, Azure Virtual Desktop, and the M365 ecosystem. Brush up on your knowledge of these platforms and be ready to discuss how you've used them in past roles.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to shape technical strategy and influence senior leadership. Think about times when you’ve led design reviews or made architectural decisions that had a significant impact on your organisation.
✨Emphasise Collaboration Skills
This role requires working closely with cross-functional teams. Be ready to share experiences where you’ve successfully collaborated with different departments, such as Security or Operations, to deliver workplace services or solve complex problems.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific challenges related to digital workplace platforms. Prepare by thinking through potential scenarios, such as managing device compliance or implementing Zero Trust principles, and how you would approach them.
