Electrical/Civils Design Assurance Training Scheme

Shape the Future of the UK’s Power Grid – Join Our Electrical/Civils Design Assurance Training Programme 

We’re launching a brand new an 18-month Electrical/Civils Design Assurance Training Programme, designed to give you the skills, knowledge, and real-world experience to become a Design Assurance Engineer in power system reliability and innovation. (This advert has a lot of information please read it all to fully understand requirements)

Why work in Design Assurance?

National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) owns and maintains the high voltage electricity network across England and Wales, spanning over 4,500 miles of overhead lines, 900 miles of underground cable, and more than 300 substations. This is a dynamic, essential network that powers millions of homes and businesses. With 250,000 assets under our management, we’re constantly evolving to meet the energy demands of tomorrow. Almost all electricity used passes through our system on its way to you. We have a responsibility to build and operate this network to a very high standard and reliability.

Design Assurance Engineers play a critical role in maintaining the integrity and resilience of the Electricity Transmission System by ensuring all assets are designed and built to the highest standards. As the UK invests billions in infrastructure to support the transition to Net-Zero, these engineers provide expert technical support, guide cost-effective design decisions, resolve complex stakeholder issues, and help develop standardised solutions—making them essential to delivering reliable, future-ready energy systems. Visit our Turning Ambition into Action page for more information and to download the National Grid Business Plan. 

What will you will get from this training programme?

Structured Learning Path – The scheme is built around the proven 70/20/10 learning model (on-the-job learning, mentoring, and formal training).  
•    You will be required to successfully complete a combination of eLearning and facilitated learning sessions and engage with structured mentoring support over the 18-months duration of the scheme. 
•    You will also compile a portfolio of evidence as you work towards achieving Chartered Engineer status and complete some courses with clearly defined success criteria.  
•    Assessed courses and other non-assessed courses will help you to progress towards achieving Authorised status under the UK NGTP BP 141 Authorisation scheme for engineers.  
•    The experience you gain in your chosen discipline will help you to demonstrate how your knowledge and skills map to becoming a BP141 Authorised engineer. 
Real Impact – Be the 'eyes and ears' of the project, develop the capability to assure engineering designs, support delivery, and investigate system faults or incidents. Ensuring designs are safe, high quality, and fit for purpose. 
Career Progression – On successful completion, you’ll be well positioned to step into a permanent Design Assurance Engineer role. 
Supportive Culture – Learn from mentors, technical experts and a collaborative environment that champions safety, sustainability, and innovation. 

We have 17 positions across 7 specialist disciplines – on application you will choose your preferences.
•    Overhead Lines x 2 
•    Cables x 2  
•    High Voltage Plant x 2  
•    High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) x 4 
•    Civil Engineering x 3  
•    Protection & Control x 2 
•    Protection & Control – Inhouse Design x 2 
Locations for this role: 
•    You’ll ideally live within 1 Hour travel of the following locations: 
Leeds, West Yorkshire / Warwick, Warwickshire / West Weybridge, Surrey / City of Bristol, Avon.

What you need to apply:

Please submit a cover letter with your relevant experience.
You should meet the criteria listed below, in addition to relevant engineering, military or operational role. 
•     A Degree in engineering, appropriate to the discipline chosen and relevant work experience, examples of which
     could include, but are not limited to; 
     •    Providing detailed engineering support for project design and delivery. 
     •    Authoring, developing, advising on, implementing and maintaining procedures. 
     •    Managing external contracts, contractor and stakeholder relationships. 
     •    Programme/project management, technical investigations. 
     •    Delivery of Capital projects/programmes. 
•    Qualified by experience – e.g. 10 years + HND, as per relevant Engineering institution indicative timescales/qualifications. 
•    Full UK driving licence. 
•    Flexibility to travel with overnight stays will be required within this role. 
•    If offered a position you must be able to start on 29 September 2025. 
•    UK applicants only – right to reside, Visa sponsorship is not available for this programme. 

Pay and Benefits

•    A starting salary of £39,000 pa plus expenses.
•    £2,400 completion payment (received at the end of the 18-month programme).
•    Current salary on successful completion of the programme up to £51,664.
•    Company car (mandatory for the role due to the amount of travel incurred, no cash alternative option). 
•    Pension contribution scheme of up to 6% of your salary, National Grid up to 12% - totalling 18%. 
•    26 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays with option to buy/sell holidays. 
•    Financial support to help cover the cost of professional membership subscriptions, course fees, books, exam fees and time off for study leave – relevant to your role. 
•    Access to benefits such as a share incentive plan, salary sacrifice car and technology schemes, support via employee assistance lines and matched charity giving to name a few. 
•    Family care benefits including a back-up care service for when your usual care arrangements fall through (six paid days each year as standard with the option to purchase further days). 
•    Access to apps which support health, fitness and wellbeing.

Advert closes - 03/07/2025 

Selection Process
Online Assessment – w/c 07/07/2025.
Assessment Centres/Interviews - w/c 21/07/2025 & w/c 28/07/2025. 
Locations – Nottingham and /or Warwick/Stratford Upon Avon.
Start date – 29 September 2025.

This is more than just a training scheme – it's your chance to be at the forefront of the UK’s energy transformation. If you’re ready to future-proof your career while helping power the nation, apply for National Grid’s Design Assurance Engineer Training Programme today. 

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