Graduate Distribution System Operator (DSO) Engineer

Be part of something powerful.

UK Power Networks' Distribution System Operator is at the heart of enabling low carbon technology like electric vehicles (EVs), heat pumps and renewables generation. You'll work with some of the country's most accomplished low carbon engineers and specialists at the heart of this once in a generation transition to help create the flexible, low carbon energy system of the future.

The Programme

The 2-year structured graduate programme will offer you the opportunity of 9 months rotational placements, relevant to your role, helping you better understand the role of UK Power Networks and its directorates. The second year will see you placed in your first supported role. Working towards the roles and responsibilities outline below, you will start contributing to your team's success and achieving objectives. Throughout the programme you will develop the knowledge, competencies and leadership skills through embedded training sessions to help you excel at UK Power Networks, along with mentorship from a senior leader.

Responsibilities:

• Participate in the annual review of measurement data to identify the baseline for all load reporting per network asset against normal network conditions
• Support the annual update of the Strategic Forecasting System and Distribution Future Energy Scenarios, delivering outputs and improvement projects
• Contribute to delivery of internal outputs such as the Planning Load Estimates and LV utilisation metrics, with continuous improvement
• Contribute to delivery of external outputs for Licence and Grid Code compliance, including required external publications on our website, to Ofgem and to National Grid ESO including Low Frequency Demand Disconnection analysis and the Long Term Development Statement. Develop approaches to meet evolving new licence and Grid Code requirements, initiatives for connections reform and to stay ahead of customer/ industry expectations for data sharing.
• Develop products for more flexible access to the distribution network, and associated data and tools such as for curtailment assessment
• Deliver annual updates to the Distribution Network Options Assessment (methodology and reports) to identify the most cost-effective approach to capacity delivery, steering needs for flexibility procurement or traditional reinforcement, and supporting inputs to the DSO Supervisory Board.
• Liaise with the transmission companies on regional development, including contract changes at the transmission-distribution interface and developing engineering solutions to address connection challenges.
• Engage across the DSO and with other important UK Power Networks departments (such as Asset Management, Connections, IS and Regulation) to help deliver assigned innovation projects;

What you'll need

• You will have achieved or be on target to achieve a minimum of an Honours degree in Electrical Engineering

• You'll have some knowledge of Power Systems Engineering

We're also looking for:

• Adaptable to changes and challenges
• The ability to apply initiative and take personal responsibility.
• The ability to collaborate with a creative and thoughtful approach.
• Analytical and data minded individuals with some experience in data tools.
• We're looking for driven individuals who are eager to learn, good at forming relationships, can communicate effectively, and are not afraid to ask questions when needed.

Key areas of interest:

• Electrical engineering and distribution networks
• Data and digitisation
• Net Zero and whole system thinking
• Customer connections to the distribution and transmission networks