Lead Policy Engineer (Earthing & Protection Application)
Job Introduction
We are recruiting a Lead Policy Engineer (Earthing & Protection Application) to join our Engineering Policy Team at National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED).
As the organisation’s lead Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Earthing & Protection, you will shape and govern company standards, work closely with internal and external stakeholders, and represent NGED in national and international working groups. You will use your technical expertise and strategic mindset to influence Engineering Policy across both the business and the wider industry.
Reporting to the Engineering Policy Manager, you will provide technical leadership, support global tendering processes, and approve design deviations while balancing commercial, operational and safety considerations.
The role may be based from Tipton, Castle Donington or Bristol; however, we encourage applications from across our wider licence areas covering the West Midlands, East Midlands, South West and Wales.
We offer a hybrid working model, typically with two days a week in the office, with flexibility depending on business need.
Main Responsibilities
- Approve the development and review of materials used to communicate policy changes
- Provide up‑to‑date expertise on UK and international policies
- Develop and improve equipment, installation and maintenance techniques to enhance safety, efficiency and lifecycle cost
- Support the Procurement team throughout global tendering processes
- Represent NGED on national and international committees and lead responses to external consultations
- Maintain deep technical knowledge of NGED policy, Earthing, battery systems and Protection
- Support failure investigations and root‑cause analysis
- Contribute to the creation and review of wider company policies
- Provide expert input into Asset Risk modelling and long‑term strategic planning
- Review existing policies based on feedback from the business
- Provide clear technical guidance on Earthing, battery systems and Protection
- Deliver work on time, to quality standards and within agreed budgets
- Support R&D and Innovation activities related to Earthing & Protection
Ideal Candidate
- Degree in Electrical Engineering or a relevant STEM discipline
- Chartered Engineer (CEng) status, or willingness to work towards it via the IET or an equivalent institution
- Significant experience in either protection or earthing systems, with a strong willingness to develop expertise across both disciplines, ideally within a DNO environment.
- Knowledge of legacy network protection (desirable)
- Experience in Asset Risk Management (desirable)
- Ability to drive improvements in safety, efficiency, environmental performance and network outcomes
- Strong strategic influencing skills across all organisational levels
- Ability to communicate compelling business cases and secure buy‑in for change
- Skilled at building cohesion across teams and recognising individual strengths
- Ability to explain complex technical issues clearly to varied audiences
- Strong coaching, mentoring and communication skills
- Analytical approach to complex technical subjects
- Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills
- Full valid UK driving licence
Evidence of your qualifications will be required prior to appointment.
National Grid Electricity Distribution is committed to safeguarding the interests of the Company, colleagues and customers. This role is subject to a satisfactory Barring Service, (DBS) check, depending on the role different levels of screening and vetting are required. Some roles require a triannual check.
About Us
We’re National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED), the owner and operator behind the electricity distribution systems for the Midlands, the Southwest of England and South Wales. Serving communities of more than 8 million people, our expert teams deliver heat, light and power for homes and businesses.
National Grid employs over 29,000 people worldwide. We are building an inclusive workplace, a place to actively celebrate the cultures, personalities and preferences of our colleagues – who in turn help to build the success of our business and reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. Our vision is to be at the heart of a clean, fair and affordable energy future and we are doing this in a fast-moving industry with an increasing focus on tackling climate change, exploring new energy sources that are renewable, low carbon, and improve efficiency to meet demand.