Distribution Electrical Engineering Graduate Programme

Distribution Electrical Engineering Graduate Programme

Locations: Aberdeen, Arbroath, Dundee, Dunoon, Perth, Oban, Glasgow

Base Salary: circa £33,500 + 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

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 your field to gain a depth of knowledge and exposure to equip you for a one of the below substantive posts in SSEN Distribution at the end of your programme. You will be able to indicate on your application which role you would prefer.

Electrical Engineer (Glasgow, Perth)

Working with Large Capital Delivery (LCD) will give graduates first hand experience in all aspects of project management as we develop and design projects from initial concept through to feasibility, before taking the projects into the delivery phase. From here the detailed design activities and land consenting are undertaken, all before the construction phase commences and experience in contract management will be obtained, as all our projects are delivered by our contract partners. The role will provide great opportunities to witness our construction activities on site, where a greater understanding of Safety, Health and Environment Management will be available, as we work closely with our contract partners to ensure all our activities are completed in line to safety and quality standards.

Design Engineer (Aberdeen or Perth)

As a Design Engineer, you will primarily be responsible for the technical development and refinement of capital and connections projects for our distribution network. This will be from feasibility through to approved for construction stage, using a suite of engineering standards. Project designs relate to underground cable, overhead line and substations up to 33kV. Our project portfolio includes CAPEX network refurbishment, reinforcement, automation and plant replacement along with customer connections including demand and distributed generation.

Capital Project Engineer (Perth, Oban, Arbroath, Dundee or Dunoon)

As a Capital Project Engineer you will contribute to the development of detailed programmes of work and overall work package. You will have a key role in planning resources, initiating the execution of work and will prioritise working parties whilst responding to changing conditions and requirements.

Control Room Engineer (Perth)

Working for the Distribution Control Centre at SSE is one of the most unique experiences you can get in the electrical industry. Being a Control Engineer will allow you to alter the network as required for all planned works and faults that happen daily, at the click of a button we can restore supplies to thousands of customers. Being responsible for sites of critical national infrastructure needs to be planned carefully so we also have some critical teams to help plan outages and ensure all commissioning of equipment does exactly what we need it to do. With a state-of-the-art control centre being developed we will have scope to expand and continue to develop new technologies to help us restore customers faster and manage the network more efficiently than ever before.

Candidates for this role will be required to obtain vetting to SC level through UK Government. The criteria includes 5 years UK residency, further information can be found here: United Kingdom Security Vetting: Applicant - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

DSO Engineer – Modelling & Reporting Team (Perth)

Within the Distribution Systems Operations (DSO) directorate in SSEN Distribution, our Modelling and Reporting team has the specialist technical capability and experience to undertake the system studies required to identify constraints on the current and future network, and maintain the models, processes and systems required to deliver exceptional customer journeys for system data. The team also ensures that safety, security of supply and performance of the network is maintained in accordance with statutory, regulatory and licence requirements in the most economic, efficient and co-ordinated manner.

We can offer you a structured and challenging development programme where you'll have the support of the Graduate Programme Manager and a business mentor to assist you in reaching your full potential within SSEN Distribution. Our programme is accredited by the IET, ICE and IMechE and offers a route to Professional Registration (Chartered or Incorporated Engineer).

Graduate Investment Planning Engineer (Aberdeen, Glasgow, Inverness, Perth)

Investment Planning plays a pivotal role in all things CAPEX for Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN). We play a pivotal role in ensuring a resilient and sustainable network that meets the increased demands anticipated over the current ED2 price control and beyond, while paving the way towards Net Zero.

We will expect the graduate to carry out multiple 3-month placements in the different parts of the business that form part of the project life cycle, these would typically consist of:

• Initial Placement with Investment Planning
• Inspection & Maintenance
• Design
• Delivery

Following the first year, you will rejoin Investment Planning and will carry out two sub placements within Investment Planning, these will be in the Inspection and Maintenance Investment planning team and then within the Long Term Strategic Investment Team.

Following your final placement, you will re-join Investment Planning as a full time Investment Planner.

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 discipline 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. 

Due to immigration rule changes to the Skilled Worker route in April 2024, this role falls below the minimum salary threshold/new entrant level for the relevant SOC code 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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