Civil Engineer - Projects
Job Introduction
Join us as a Civil Engineer and take on a career‑defining role at the heart of the UK’s electricity infrastructure.
Based in Taunton or Exeter, you’ll work on complex, high‑value civil engineering projects that directly support the resilience and future growth of the electricity network. This is a rare opportunity to be involved end‑to‑end — from early design and specification through to contractor management and on‑site delivery — within operational substation environments where your expertise truly matters.
You’ll operate as a trusted technical specialist, influencing how critical assets are built and maintained, working closely with project managers, specialists and contractors, and playing a key role in shaping safe, high‑quality outcomes.
If you’re an experienced civil engineer looking for variety, technical challenge, long‑term project visibility and the chance to make a real, tangible impact on nationally significant infrastructure, this role offers the scope, autonomy and progression you’re looking for.
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.
Join us as a Civil Engineer and take on a career‑defining role at the heart of the UK’s electricity infrastructure.
Based in Taunton or Exeter, you’ll work on complex, high‑value civil engineering projects that directly support the resilience and future growth of the electricity network. This is a rare opportunity to be involved end‑to‑end — from early design and specification through to contractor management and on‑site delivery — within operational substation environments where your expertise truly matters.
You’ll operate as a trusted technical specialist, influencing how critical assets are built and maintained, working closely with project managers, specialists and contractors, and playing a key role in shaping safe, high‑quality outcomes.
If you’re an experienced civil engineer looking for variety, technical challenge, long‑term project visibility and the chance to make a real, tangible impact on nationally significant infrastructure, this role offers the scope, autonomy and progression you’re looking for.
- Depending on experience, you may initially be appointed at a lower salary until all relevant courses and training are complete.
- Lead and deliver all civil engineering aspects of the Asset Replacement, Connections, Reinforcement and Refurbishment programme, ensuring all projects are safely developed, contractually robust, and fully compliant from inception through to completion.
- Act as the Civil Engineering lead across the portfolio, providing technical, contractual and project management expertise to enable the efficient and compliant delivery of national infrastructure works.
- Take full ownership of early-stage project mobilisation, including site identification, land acquisition, planning consents, statutory rights, and stakeholder engagement with Local Authorities and third parties.
- Appoint and manage civil contractors under NEC contracts, establishing them as Principal Contractor in line with CDM Regulations and fulfilling client duties to ensure safe systems of work, effective risk management, and strong site leadership.
- Project manage the civil build phase, coordinating multiple disciplines including structural engineering, surveying, flood risk mitigation, drainage, and access infrastructure.
- Ensure all works meet ESQCR, flood resilience, security and internal policy requirements, maintaining adaptability to evolving regulatory and programme needs.
- Provide seamless integration with Electrical Project Engineers, enabling structured handover from civil construction into operational electrical works, and back again for final completion activities such as reinstatement, fencing, roadways, and defect resolution.
- Maintain full accountability for delivering civil engineering outputs that enable the wider programme to be delivered safely, on time, to quality, and within cost, while maintaining full compliance with statutory, regulatory and company standards.
- HNC Qualified in Civil/Structural Engineering, Construction Management or Building Surveying along with Health & Safety qualifications, preferably NEBOSH / IOSH / SMSTS.
- Strong experience delivering civil engineering projects, ideally within utilities, substations or major infrastructure environments (up to 132kV desirable)
- Proven experience in contractor and contract management, delivering work to time, cost and quality
- Working knowledge of NEC contracts, with the ability to operate within bespoke contracting frameworks
- Sound understanding of CDM Regulations and their application to construction activities
- Project management capability aligned to APM or similar standards (qualification desirable but not required)
- Experience producing detailed project documentation, including specifications, scopes of work, construction details and work breakdown structures
- Knowledge of planning regulations and permitted development rights
- Experience managing capital and revenue budgets, with an appreciation of commercial and quantity‑surveying principles
- Confident in customer‑facing environments, liaising effectively with contractors, site teams and internal stakeholders
- Health & Safety qualifications such as NEBOSH, IOSH or SMSTS (desirable, not essential)
- Strong technical judgement, adaptability and a proactive approach to problem solving
- Commitment to safety, quality and continuous improvement
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel across the South West (Taunton / Exeter base)
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.