Distribution System Operator (DSO) Engineer

1. 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.
2. 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. 
3. We offer 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.

Distribution System Operator (DSO) Engineer, Electricity Distribution

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. Our vision is to be at the heart of a clean, fair and affordable energy future and we are doing this in a fast-moving industry with an increasing focus on tackling climate change, exploring new energy sources that are renewable, low carbon, and improve efficiency to meet demand.

The Distribution System Operator (DSO) looks at ways to maximise capacity in the network whilst forecasting demand to create investment that meet the needs of our customers. 

Ofgem has established the role of the DSO to facilitate decarbonisation at the pace and scale needed to meet our climate targets. Significan focus is on meeting net zero targets, however we need to look at how we deliver more capacity through smarter operations and non-build options.

Our DSO vision is “to enable and coordinate a smart, flexible energy system that facilitates local decarbonisation for all customers and communities, at the right time and lowest cost”.

The successful candidate will be working within one of the three core roles/teams:

• Flexibility Market Development
• Network Operation
• Planning and Network Development

Some of your key accountabilities will include:

• Analyze network for long-term planning and strategic investment options, supporting the Network Development Plan.
• Identify solutions to system constraints through technical optioneering, including quantifying DSO service requirements that can be met by third-party flexibility.
• Identify solutions to system deficiencies, including quantifying and pricing DSO service requirements that can be met by third-party flexibility.
• Develop new Flexibility Products to address any system deficiencies.
• Manage commercial and contractual interface with the National Energy System Operator (NESO).
• Drive innovative initiatives at the transmission-distribution interface through industry working groups to improve connections.

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 a minimum 2:2 in a Electrical, Mechanical or Chemical, Engineering, Business Administration  Mathematics, Sciences or Data Science degree. 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 that allows you to drive in the UK.

You’ll need flexibility to travel within role and throughout your rotations as required.

What you’ll get in return

We are proud to offer a graduate starting salary of £34,895.

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.