2026 Trainee Design Engineer Higher Apprentice, National Grid Electricity Distribution at National Grid in Castle Donington, England, United Kingdom | GBP26,899-53,379 | Kablio

Role

Description

substation design

layout development

bom preparation

design compliance

client coordination

tech updates

Ensure designs adhere to health, safety, and environmental requirements.
Develop well-rounded skills, learning from experienced and qualified professionals in the industry
Stay updated on emerging technologies and best practices in substation design.
Work closely with senior engineers and project teams to ensure designs meet client and regulatory requirements.
Engage in training and development activities to build technical knowledge.
Prepare schedules and bills of materials for equipment and installations.
Follow industry standards, company guidelines, and statutory regulations for high-voltage systems.
Create detailed project-specific designs, drawings, and specifications.
Ensure compliance with operational standards and safety regulations.
Assist in designing substations operating at voltages up to 132,000 volts.
Develop layouts and configurations for physical substation components (e.g., transformers, switchgear, busbars).

Requirements

communication

hnc/hnd

degree

a-levels

work eligibility

Excellent communication skills; one moment, you could be speaking with customers, and the next, colleagues or internal stakeholders. Your success relies on your confidence to interact with the wider business.
OR HNC/HND in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or Mechanical Engineering.
OR Degree in Maths, Physics, Electrical/Electronic or Mechanical Engineering.
2 A-Levels at grade A*-C, one of which must be Maths, Engineering, Electronics, or Physics
National Grid's Apprenticeship programme in the UK is 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.

Benefits

23 days annual leave, raising to 26 upon completion of the training programme
Competitive pension scheme (Double matched up to 12%) and Sharesave options
Earn whilst you learn and receive a fully funded qualification
Employee Assistance Programme is there to take care of you and includes musculoskeletal and physiotherapy services if you need them

Training + Development

Information not given or found

Interview process

Information not given or found

Visa Sponsorship

no visa sponsorship will be provided; applicants must already have a valid right to work in the uk.

Security clearance

a basic dbs check is required to confirm no unspent convictions or conditional cautions.

Company

Overview

1990 Founded

Year Established

The company was established in 1990 to deliver electricity and gas to millions of homes and businesses.

15,000 km

High-Voltage Network

Manages an extensive electricity transmission network of high-voltage lines across the UK.

Plays a critical role in delivering electricity and gas to millions of homes and businesses.
Operates in both the UK and US, ensuring safe and reliable energy distribution.
Deeply involved in the development of renewable energy infrastructure, including wind and solar projects.
Key projects include cross-border power links to improve energy security and integrating low-carbon solutions.
Continually innovates to meet growing energy demand while reducing environmental impact.
Operates in both electricity and natural gas distribution across a vast geographical area in the US.
Invests in sustainability initiatives and clean energy infrastructure.

Culture + Values

Stand up for safety every day
Put our customers first
Be inclusive, supporting and caring for each other
Speak up, challenge and act where something doesn’t feel right
Embrace the power and opportunity of diversity
Increase efficiency to help with customer affordability
Work with others to find solutions for customers
Commit to learning and new ideas
Take personal ownership for delivering results
Be bold and act with passion and purpose
Focus on progress over perfection
Follow the problem through to the end

Environment + Sustainability

£51B Investment

Green Infrastructure Commitment

The company has committed to investing £51 billion in green infrastructure projects by March 2029.

Net Zero 2050

Carbon Neutral Goal

Achieve net zero emissions across Scopes 1, 2, and 3 by 2050.

60% Reduction

GHG Emissions Target

Aim to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 60% by 2030-31 compared to the 2018-19 baseline.

99.4% Diversion

Construction Waste Management

99.4% of construction waste is diverted from landfill.

37.5% reduction in absolute Scope 3 GHG emissions by 2033/34 (excluding sold electricity)
100% electric light-duty fleet by 2030; transition medium/heavy-duty to zero-carbon alternatives
50% reduction in absolute SF6 emissions by 2030/31
20% reduction in energy consumption in flagship offices by 2030/31
50% reduction in annual air-travel emissions by 2025/26 (from 2019/20 baseline), with remaining emissions offset
Engage top 50% of US suppliers (by emissions) and top 80% of UK suppliers to set Science-Based Targets by 2025/26
17% reduction in controllable Scope 1 and 2 emissions since FY19
Connecting 1.35 GW of new low-carbon generation to the network in 2023-24
100% renewable energy purchased for metered estate
7.9% improvement in environmental value of non-operational land since FY21
100% of construction projects committing to deliver 10% net gain or greater
Zero waste to landfill across key areas by 2026
Restore natural environment by 10% on UK-managed land
ISO 14001 integrated management system certification

Inclusion & Diversity

Ranked #1 UK

Gender Equality Ranking

Recognized as the top company in the UK and ranked globally by Equileap in 2021.

84% Score

Workforce Disclosure Initiative

Achieved an 84% score in the Workforce Disclosure Initiative in 2022, reflecting strong progress in inclusion and diversity practices.

#1 in Times Top 50

Gender Equality Employer Ranking

Named the number one employer for gender equality in the Times Top 50 Employers list for 2023.

Bloomberg Gender‑Equality Index

Index Inclusion

Included in the 2023 Bloomberg Gender‑Equality Index, recognizing commitment to transparent reporting and advancing women's equality.

Aspiration to be among the most inclusive, diverse and equitable companies in business
Embed inclusion into everything we do
Build a diverse and innovative green workforce for our customers
Deliver organisation‑wide equity through our processes
Use our voice, platform and influence to create dialogue and elevate issues

Articles

Careers at National Grid

Sustainability

About Us

Role

Description

substation design

layout development

bom preparation

design compliance

client coordination

tech updates

Ensure designs adhere to health, safety, and environmental requirements.
Develop well-rounded skills, learning from experienced and qualified professionals in the industry
Stay updated on emerging technologies and best practices in substation design.
Work closely with senior engineers and project teams to ensure designs meet client and regulatory requirements.
Engage in training and development activities to build technical knowledge.
Prepare schedules and bills of materials for equipment and installations.
Follow industry standards, company guidelines, and statutory regulations for high-voltage systems.
Create detailed project-specific designs, drawings, and specifications.
Ensure compliance with operational standards and safety regulations.
Assist in designing substations operating at voltages up to 132,000 volts.
Develop layouts and configurations for physical substation components (e.g., transformers, switchgear, busbars).

Requirements

communication

hnc/hnd

degree

a-levels

work eligibility

Excellent communication skills; one moment, you could be speaking with customers, and the next, colleagues or internal stakeholders. Your success relies on your confidence to interact with the wider business.
OR HNC/HND in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or Mechanical Engineering.
OR Degree in Maths, Physics, Electrical/Electronic or Mechanical Engineering.
2 A-Levels at grade A*-C, one of which must be Maths, Engineering, Electronics, or Physics
National Grid's Apprenticeship programme in the UK is 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.

Benefits

23 days annual leave, raising to 26 upon completion of the training programme
Competitive pension scheme (Double matched up to 12%) and Sharesave options
Earn whilst you learn and receive a fully funded qualification
Employee Assistance Programme is there to take care of you and includes musculoskeletal and physiotherapy services if you need them

Training + Development

Information not given or found

Interview process

Information not given or found

Visa Sponsorship

no visa sponsorship will be provided; applicants must already have a valid right to work in the uk.

Security clearance

a basic dbs check is required to confirm no unspent convictions or conditional cautions.

Company

Overview

1990 Founded

Year Established

The company was established in 1990 to deliver electricity and gas to millions of homes and businesses.

15,000 km

High-Voltage Network

Manages an extensive electricity transmission network of high-voltage lines across the UK.

Plays a critical role in delivering electricity and gas to millions of homes and businesses.
Operates in both the UK and US, ensuring safe and reliable energy distribution.
Deeply involved in the development of renewable energy infrastructure, including wind and solar projects.
Key projects include cross-border power links to improve energy security and integrating low-carbon solutions.
Continually innovates to meet growing energy demand while reducing environmental impact.
Operates in both electricity and natural gas distribution across a vast geographical area in the US.
Invests in sustainability initiatives and clean energy infrastructure.

Culture + Values

Stand up for safety every day
Put our customers first
Be inclusive, supporting and caring for each other
Speak up, challenge and act where something doesn’t feel right
Embrace the power and opportunity of diversity
Increase efficiency to help with customer affordability
Work with others to find solutions for customers
Commit to learning and new ideas
Take personal ownership for delivering results
Be bold and act with passion and purpose
Focus on progress over perfection
Follow the problem through to the end

Environment + Sustainability

£51B Investment

Green Infrastructure Commitment

The company has committed to investing £51 billion in green infrastructure projects by March 2029.

Net Zero 2050

Carbon Neutral Goal

Achieve net zero emissions across Scopes 1, 2, and 3 by 2050.

60% Reduction

GHG Emissions Target

Aim to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 60% by 2030-31 compared to the 2018-19 baseline.

99.4% Diversion

Construction Waste Management

99.4% of construction waste is diverted from landfill.

37.5% reduction in absolute Scope 3 GHG emissions by 2033/34 (excluding sold electricity)
100% electric light-duty fleet by 2030; transition medium/heavy-duty to zero-carbon alternatives
50% reduction in absolute SF6 emissions by 2030/31
20% reduction in energy consumption in flagship offices by 2030/31
50% reduction in annual air-travel emissions by 2025/26 (from 2019/20 baseline), with remaining emissions offset
Engage top 50% of US suppliers (by emissions) and top 80% of UK suppliers to set Science-Based Targets by 2025/26
17% reduction in controllable Scope 1 and 2 emissions since FY19
Connecting 1.35 GW of new low-carbon generation to the network in 2023-24
100% renewable energy purchased for metered estate
7.9% improvement in environmental value of non-operational land since FY21
100% of construction projects committing to deliver 10% net gain or greater
Zero waste to landfill across key areas by 2026
Restore natural environment by 10% on UK-managed land
ISO 14001 integrated management system certification

Inclusion & Diversity

Ranked #1 UK

Gender Equality Ranking

Recognized as the top company in the UK and ranked globally by Equileap in 2021.

84% Score

Workforce Disclosure Initiative

Achieved an 84% score in the Workforce Disclosure Initiative in 2022, reflecting strong progress in inclusion and diversity practices.

#1 in Times Top 50

Gender Equality Employer Ranking

Named the number one employer for gender equality in the Times Top 50 Employers list for 2023.

Bloomberg Gender‑Equality Index

Index Inclusion

Included in the 2023 Bloomberg Gender‑Equality Index, recognizing commitment to transparent reporting and advancing women's equality.

Aspiration to be among the most inclusive, diverse and equitable companies in business
Embed inclusion into everything we do
Build a diverse and innovative green workforce for our customers
Deliver organisation‑wide equity through our processes
Use our voice, platform and influence to create dialogue and elevate issues

Articles

Careers at National Grid

Sustainability

About Us