2026 Graduate Development Engineer

2026 Graduate Development Engineer, Customer Network Development

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

Join our Customer Network Development (CND) team at National Grid, where we’re dedicated to connecting new and existing generation and demand customers to the energy network. As a Graduate Development Engineer, you’ll play a key role in enabling the energy transition by helping deliver safe, efficient, and customer-focused connection solutions.

CND is responsible for building connection offers that include the necessary contractual and technical requirements, identifying appropriate technical designs, and managing the delivery of these connections. The team works closely with customers and industry partners, ensuring compliance with relevant codes and frameworks, while continuously improving the connections process to reduce lead times and enhance customer satisfaction.

What You’ll Be Doing

As a Graduate Development Engineer, you’ll:

• Manage the end-to-end process of connecting new customers to the electricity network.
• Act as the primary point of contact for customers, ensuring clear communication and understanding of technical and commercial requirements.
• Oversee the planning and execution of connection projects, ensuring they are delivered safely, on time, and within budget.
• Conduct technical assessments to evaluate the feasibility and impact of new connections on the existing network.
• Collaborate with internal teams, system operators, and external stakeholders to facilitate smooth project delivery.
• Address challenges during the connection process, providing solutions that ensure customer satisfaction and project success.
• Stay informed on emerging technologies and regulatory developments to support the transition to a low-carbon energy future.
• Through your work, you’ll contribute directly to National Grid’s mission of delivering sustainable, secure, and affordable energy for all.

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, Electronics Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Renewable Energy 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 currently have a full valid UK driving license at the time of application.

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 role is based in Leeds and may offer flexible hybrid working, where possible.

What You'll Get In Return

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

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.