2026 Graduate Substation Engineer North West (Chester), Asset Operations at National Grid in Shotwick, England, United Kingdom | GBP36,640-36,640 | Kablio

Role

Description

substation maintenance

equipment testing

site delivery

contract management

temporary works

safety management

Leading teams of fitters and contractors, ensuring safe systems of work, risk assessments, method statements, and toolbox talks are in place
Supporting substation maintenance, refurbishment, and fault diagnosis
Assisting your Operations Manager and wider team in delivering key projects
Taking on site delivery responsibilities, including acting as Temporary Works Co-ordinator and Principal Contractor under CDM regulations
Build deep technical knowledge of substation systems and high-voltage equipment
Develop the skills to lead on-site teams, manage contractors, and deliver complex engineering projects
Developing into the role of Project Leader (PL), with a focus on commercial delivery and safety
Monitoring and progressing contracts for unlicensed customers and contractor-delivered work
Testing equipment and systems, including safety, protection, and control mechanisms
Participating in a standby rota for emergency callouts — with additional pay for your availability and expertise
Contribute to strategic projects and continuous improvement initiatives across the business

Requirements

substations

depots

operational sites

safety-critical

safety rules

Frequent visits to substations, depots, and other operational sites within your region.
Learn how to manage safety-critical work and uphold National Grid’s Safety Rules

Benefits

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
Occasional cross-regional travel to support on-the-job learning and development
Receive structured training at our dedicated centre in Eakring, Nottingham, alongside on-the-job learning across your regional base
Other benefits include pension and share-option schemes, Flexible Benefits, close mentorship and regular feedback & volunteering opportunities.
Regular travel to our training centre in Eakring, Nottingham
Gain leadership experience and work towards becoming a Senior Authorised Person (SAP)
£2,400 payment on successful completion of the programme
26 days holiday
£2,000 bonus, once joined and started on programme

Training + Development

Information not given or found

Interview process

assessment centres will be held between november - april 2026.

Visa Sponsorship

national grid cannot generally sponsor uk points‑based visas; applicants must already have the right to work in the uk.
in exceptional circumstances, sponsorship may be considered if specialist skills cannot be sourced locally.

Security clearance

Information not given or found

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 maintenance

equipment testing

site delivery

contract management

temporary works

safety management

Leading teams of fitters and contractors, ensuring safe systems of work, risk assessments, method statements, and toolbox talks are in place
Supporting substation maintenance, refurbishment, and fault diagnosis
Assisting your Operations Manager and wider team in delivering key projects
Taking on site delivery responsibilities, including acting as Temporary Works Co-ordinator and Principal Contractor under CDM regulations
Build deep technical knowledge of substation systems and high-voltage equipment
Develop the skills to lead on-site teams, manage contractors, and deliver complex engineering projects
Developing into the role of Project Leader (PL), with a focus on commercial delivery and safety
Monitoring and progressing contracts for unlicensed customers and contractor-delivered work
Testing equipment and systems, including safety, protection, and control mechanisms
Participating in a standby rota for emergency callouts — with additional pay for your availability and expertise
Contribute to strategic projects and continuous improvement initiatives across the business

Requirements

substations

depots

operational sites

safety-critical

safety rules

Frequent visits to substations, depots, and other operational sites within your region.
Learn how to manage safety-critical work and uphold National Grid’s Safety Rules

Benefits

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
Occasional cross-regional travel to support on-the-job learning and development
Receive structured training at our dedicated centre in Eakring, Nottingham, alongside on-the-job learning across your regional base
Other benefits include pension and share-option schemes, Flexible Benefits, close mentorship and regular feedback & volunteering opportunities.
Regular travel to our training centre in Eakring, Nottingham
Gain leadership experience and work towards becoming a Senior Authorised Person (SAP)
£2,400 payment on successful completion of the programme
26 days holiday
£2,000 bonus, once joined and started on programme

Training + Development

Information not given or found

Interview process

assessment centres will be held between november - april 2026.

Visa Sponsorship

national grid cannot generally sponsor uk points‑based visas; applicants must already have the right to work in the uk.
in exceptional circumstances, sponsorship may be considered if specialist skills cannot be sourced locally.

Security clearance

Information not given or found

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