Design Coordinator - Engineering Graduate (UK Wide)

Join National Gas and help be the energy behind the change.

National Gas is responsible for operating and maintaining Britain's national gas transmission network, helping to keep the lights on, businesses running and homes warm. 

We manage the critical infrastructure that safely and reliably transport gas across Great Britain, supporting the energy security that millions of people depend on every day.

While delivering for Britain today, we're also preparing for tomorrow. Through innovation, investment and the development of future energy infrastructure, we're helping to create a cleaner and more sustainable energy system for generations to come.

As a graduate, you'll be given meaningful responsibility from the start, supported to develop professionally, and empowered to contribute to projects that have a real impact on the nation's energy future. Whether you're solving complex challenges, driving innovation or delivering essential services, you'll play an important role in an organisation with genuine purpose.

Join us and help shape the future of energy.

About the Role

Join our Major Programmes Control Systems team and play a role in delivering some of the UK's largest and most complex energy infrastructure projects. As a Design Engineer Graduate, you'll help support projects that are critical to the future of the energy network while developing your engineering knowledge alongside experienced engineers and project professionals. 

This is an exciting opportunity to gain exposure to a variety of projects, teams and locations across National Gas. You'll develop an understanding of how engineering solutions are designed, reviewed and delivered within a major project environment, while building the skills needed for a future career as a Design Engineer. 

Day-to-day, you could be:

•    Supporting the development of engineering designs and solutions.
•    Reviewing technical information and project documentation.
•    Working with colleagues across engineering and project teams to help coordinate activities.
•    Participating in site visits to understand how designs are delivered in practice.
•    Supporting engineering reviews and assurance activities.
•    Helping track project progress and key milestones.
•    Working with stakeholders to gather information and support decision-making.
•    Contributing to projects that help improve and maintain critical infrastructure. 

Throughout the programme, you'll gain experience across a variety of projects and locations, building a broad understanding of engineering design within a major infrastructure environment. You'll develop strong technical, communication and problem-solving skills while gaining valuable exposure to project delivery and engineering decision-making.

About You

We're looking for someone who is curious, motivated and excited to develop a career in engineering. You won't be expected to know everything from day one, but you should enjoy solving problems, learning new skills and understanding how complex systems work. 

You'll be someone who:

•    Has a genuine interest in engineering and infrastructure projects.
•    Enjoys solving problems and thinking analytically.
•    Is comfortable asking questions and seeking feedback.
•    Takes ownership of their learning and personal development.
•    Works well with others and builds positive relationships.
•    Is adaptable and open to working across different projects and locations.
•    Communicates clearly and confidently.
•    Has a positive attitude and a willingness to learn. 

A standout candidate will be enthusiastic about engineering and eager to step outside of their comfort zone to learn new things. They'll be proactive in finding development opportunities, enjoy working with a variety of people and be interested in understanding how large-scale engineering projects are delivered. 

We celebrate the different experiences our colleagues bring to our organisation and strongly encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.

What you'll need

You'll hold or be on track to achieve a degree in a relevant engineering discipline. Suitable degree subjects include:

•    Engineering
•    Mechanical Engineering
•    Electrical Engineering
•    Systems Engineering
•    Control Systems Engineering
•    Or another closely related engineering subject. 

We're interested in your potential and transferable skills as much as your academic background. A strong application might include examples of:

•    Solving technical or engineering-related problems.
•    Working on university projects, design activities or research.
•    Collaborating with others to achieve a shared goal.
•    Managing tasks and deadlines effectively.
•    Communicating complex information clearly.
•    Demonstrating initiative and taking ownership of your work. 

Relevant placement experience, engineering project work, university design projects or engineering-related extracurricular activities would be beneficial, but they aren't essential. What matters most is your enthusiasm to learn, your problem-solving ability and your interest in developing a career in engineering design.

A good application will include a cover letter to help us understand why you're a great fit for the role. Be sure to include any other relevant experience or university modules.

Studies suggest that women tend to apply only if they meet 100% of the criteria. If you resonate with our mission, the role excites you and your skills align, we encourage you to apply.

The Essentials

This is an 18-month fixed-term graduate programme. You must have the right to work in the UK for the duration of the programme. 

As part of the programme, you'll gain experience across a range of project locations throughout the UK, helping you build a broad understanding of major engineering projects and the teams that deliver them. Regular travel will be required, as well as overnight stays depending on project locations and business needs. Due to the nature of the role, you'll need a full UK driving licence by the time you join the programme. Access to a vehicle would be beneficial, although not essential. Where appropriate, we can provide support with transport arrangements, including hire vehicles, to help ensure travel is accessible.

Many of the positions within our company are subject to national security clearance and Trade Control restrictions. This means that your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by your place of birth, nationality, current or former citizenship, and any residency you hold or have held. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

What you can expect from us

You’ll receive a range of benefits that reward your great work.  

• Starting annual salary of £34,646, with annual performance-based increases
• A generous holiday allowance of 26 days plus statutory bank holidays, with the option to buy and sell additional days (capped at 5 days)
• 2 paid days each financial year to volunteer for a worthwhile cause
• A generous pension scheme with a double-match contribution – if you contribute 6%, we’ll contribute 12%, helping you build a strong financial future
• Professional development and career progression
• Employee assistance programme offering free confidential professional counselling 24 hours per day 

At National Gas, we pride ourselves on a supportive and collaborative work environment. We understand the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance and support our employees in achieving it.  We strive to create an inclusive environment where everyone can perform at their best, where every team member feels valued and supported. 

You'll be mentored by experienced professionals and have opportunities to work on impactful projects. We ensure that you gain hands-on experience, with opportunities for career advancement and professional development. 

We encourage all graduates to take ownership of their journey. You'll strive to grow and develop, taking advantage of all that National Gas has to offer. 

The 'nice to knows'

Hybrid working is available, with your working pattern shaped by project and business needs. Throughout the programme, you'll experience a blend of office, site and remote working, giving you opportunities to collaborate with different teams, learn from experienced colleagues and gain exposure to a variety of engineering environments.

You'll start in a large cohort of other graduates and apprentices, where you'll attend an in-person induction in early September 2027, fostering strong workplace relationships that will build the foundation of your future networks.

Your next steps…

You'll be offered additional support and guidance throughout the application process by our Early Careers team. Eligible applications will be reviewed by a human, every step of the way. 

You’re only able to apply for one of our graduate schemes, so please consider this carefully. When reviewing your application, if we feel you might be a good fit for something else, we'll be sure to let you know.

Following a successful online application, you'll be invited to complete an online assessment. Candidates who progress to the next stage will then be invited to a virtual solo interview. The final stage of the process is an in-person Assessment Centre in December or January. We'll share further details closer to the time, including the date and location. 

Applications close on Sunday 8th November 2026. Each year, we receive a large volume of applications, so we'd encourage you to apply early.

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At National Gas we value everyone's unique contributions and perspectives. If you require reasonable adjustments to complete the application process, please contact us at earlycareers@nationalgas.com

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