Distribution Electrical Engineering Graduate Programme

Distribution Electrical Engineering Graduate Programme

Locations: Glasgow, Perth, Aberdeen, Inverness, Reading and Portsmouth

Base Salary: £34,000 + a range of other benefits to support your family, finances and wellbeing.

Degree Disciplines: Electrical Engineering, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Power Systems Engineering

Working Pattern: Permanent | Full Time starting Autumn 2026

What is the Role?

We have ambitious net zero targets, and our business is growing to help us achieve our strategy. We're looking for graduates who can bring fresh ideas, new skills and creative thinking, to deliver innovative solutions to help us reach net zero.

Electrical engineering graduates joining SSEN Distribution will be at the forefront of building a better world of energy for future generations. Our programme provides real hands-on experience. You will follow a specialist pathway, working with specialists in the Distribution System Operation (DSO) directorate to gain a depth of knowledge and exposure to equip you for a one of the below substantive posts at the end of your programme. You will be able to indicate on your application which role you would prefer.

System Planning Engineer – System Planning (Reading) 

We have an exciting and challenging opportunity for a Systems Engineer to cater for the growth in large demand and renewable generation connections and support our CAPEX (Capital Expenditure) investment programme to ensure that our electricity networks remain fully compliant with the technical and regulatory requirements of our licence.

You will play a key role in modelling our networks, being a strategic decision maker for projects. You will be handing over designs and coordinating with delivery teams to ensure the network is developed in the most economic, efficient and co-ordinated manner.

Innovation Project Engineer – Future Networks (Glasgow or Reading) 

As a future networks project engineer you will be responsible for delivering innovative projects and solutions that drive continuous improvement and change the landscape of our utility networks. This will be from project management functions to developing new and exciting tools that are cutting edge. You will work with project managers to put forward project proposals before taking successful projects from discovery through to full network trials. The role will involve communicating with external and internal stakeholders to efficiently deliver projects.

DSO Engineer – Network Operations (Portsmouth, Reading, Perth, Glasgow) 

The network operations team in SSEN supports a range of business functions from flexibility markets, and access products to digital transformation and smart energy systems. This role presents an opportunity to work with teams to support delivery of flexibility markets procuring and dispatching products onto our network. You will also be involved in the development of flexibility products enabling customers to access our network quicker and accelerating the net zero transition.

DSO Forecasting Engineer/Analyst – Modelling and Reporting (Glasgow or Reading)

Are you a numerate graduate, interested in working with a team tackling climate change?

We are looking for the talent of tomorrow to boost our capability in forecasting the future energy usage on the power system that supplies homes and businesses at street level and enables generation to be connected as close to source demand as possible. Our modelling and reporting team are looking for a specialist in forecasting using probabilistic approaches in order that we can make the right investments, in the right place, at the right time to enable efficient decarbonisation and economic growth. Ideally an Electrical Engineer / Physicist / Mathematician who is very comfortable with statistical quantification techniques and may have a further qualification in that area.

DSO System Planning Engineer SHEPD – (Perth, Inverness, Aberdeen, Glasgow)

We have an exciting and challenging opportunity for a Systems Planning Engineer to cater for the growth in large demand and renewable generation connections and support our CAPEX (Capital Expenditure) investment programme to ensure that our electricity networks remain fully compliant with the technical and regulatory requirements of our licence.

You will play a key role in modelling our networks, being a strategic decision maker for projects. You will be handing over designs and coordinating with delivery teams to ensure the network is developed in the most economic, efficient, and co-ordinated manner.’

What do I need to join? 

At SSE we're proud to celebrate difference. We all have different skills, experience and backgrounds and we strive to have a friendly and inclusive culture where you can be yourself.  Safety is at the heart of everything we do at SSE, and we live by the mantra 'if it's not safe, we don't do it'. You should show alignment with our core values and have a genuine passion and interest in the energy sector.  

You’ll have a minimum of a 2:2 in the desired degree disciplines listed above.

As the organisations grows, our graduates need to be highly flexible in order to embrace the changes and keep up with the fast-paced evolution of the business.  Our graduates are agile in their thinking and seek to address knowledge gaps. You should be comfortable working to and setting stretching individual targets and using your own initiative to overcome challenges.  

You can find out more about what to expect during the recruitment process here.  

About our Business 

SSEN Distribution powers 3.8 million homes and businesses in communities across central southern England and the north of Scotland. Our team of more than 3,500 people keep customers connected to a safe and reliable supply of electricity whilst developing the flexible networks that are vital to achieving net-zero. By enabling a smarter, more resilient electricity network we're ensuring our local communities continue to receive the power they need, both now and in the future. We are consistently investing and innovating to improve network resilience and future-proof power supplies for life's changing demands, from rolling out large scale EV charging schemes to supporting small community generation projects.

What’s in it for you? 

An excellent package with 34 days holiday entitlement, enhanced maternity/paternity leave, discounted healthcare, salary sacrifice car leasing and much more, view our full benefits package on our careers site. 
 
As an equal opportunity employer we encourage diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We actively encourage applicants from all protected characteristics and commit to providing any reasonable adjustments required during the application, assessment and upon joining SSE. Search for ‘Inclusion & Diversity at SSE’ to find out more. 

Next Steps 

All applications should be submitted online.  

If you would like to discuss any working differently requirements or adjustments you may require throughout the recruitment and selection process, please contact graduates@sse.com. If you would prefer a call to discuss adjustments let us know by email and we are arrange a call with you at a time that suits you.  

Before commencing employment with SSE, you'll be required to fully complete our pre-employment screening process consisting of a basic criminal records and credit check. 

Please note, due to immigration rule changes in July 2025 to the Skilled Worker route, this role falls below the minimum “New Entrant” salary threshold and therefore does not meet the requirements to allow for sponsorship. 

Please note that any successful candidate must be able to evidence a valid right to work prior to commencement of employment.  

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