Graduate Electrical Engineer (Manchester)

Job description

Graduate Electrical Engineer (Manchester) Join the Jacobs Graduate Development Program (GDP) and help shape better environments, communities and societies. Bring your passion, creativity and ambition - and together, we'll create lasting change.

What You'll Get

Our two-year Graduate Development Program is designed to accelerate your growth as you begin your Jacobs career. Through blended learning, mentoring, progress reviews and networking, you'll build capability across four key areas: human skills, consulting skills, championing our strategy, and developing your personal passions.

You'll tailor your learning journey to your interests, career goals and technical strengths - creating a graduate experience that's uniquely yours. Much of your development will come through real project work, supported by your manager and mentor to ensure you gain the experiences that matter most.

The Graduate Development Program isn't just a steppingstone - it's a launchpad. You'll gain the tools, exposure and support to unlock your potential, working on meaningful projects and collaborating with industry leaders to deliver solutions to complex challenges.

About the opportunity

We are seeking motivated and ambitious Graduate Electrical Engineers to join our growing Transmission & Distribution team. This role offers an excellent opportunity to develop technical expertise in the design and delivery of High Voltage (HV) substations, transmission networks, underground cable systems, and overhead line projects ranging from 11kV to 400kV and above.

The successful candidate will work alongside experienced engineers and technical specialists, supporting major utility, renewable energy, data centre, and infrastructure projects while progressing towards professional accreditation (CEng).

Key Responsibilities

General Engineering Duties
* Assist in the planning, design, and delivery of transmission and distribution projects.
* Support engineering calculations, technical reports, specifications, and design documentation.
* Participate in multidisciplinary engineering teams and coordinate with clients, suppliers, and stakeholders.
* Contribute to design reviews, risk assessments, and technical workshops.
* Ensure all work complies with relevant standards, regulations, and company procedures.
* Support project delivery activities including cost, schedule, and quality requirements.
* Attend site visits, inspections, and commissioning activities as required.

HV Substation Primary Engineering

* Assist with development of:
* Single Line Diagrams (SLDs)
* General Arrangement Drawings
* Equipment Layouts
* Earthing and Lightning Protection Designs
* Electrical Clearance Studies

* Support specification and selection of HV equipment including transformers, switchgear, circuit breakers, disconnectors, CTs and VTs.

Protection & Control (Secondary) Engineering

* Support development of:
* Protection Schemes
* Relay Settings Calculations
* Interlocking Philosophy
* Control and Automation Designs
* SCADA and Communication Interfaces

* Assist in preparation of protection and control drawings and associated design documentation.

Underground Cable Engineering
* Support design and routing of HV cable systems.
* Assist with cable sizing, ampacity studies, sheath bonding studies, and installation assessments.
* Participate in cable system design reviews and site inspections.

Overhead Line Engineering
* Assist in design and analysis of transmission line systems.
* Support route selection studies, tower spotting, and line profile development.
* Participate in foundation and structural coordination activities.

Qualifications

Essential
* Master's Degree (MEng) in Electrical Engineering or equivalent accredited engineering degree.
* Strong understanding of electrical power systems.
* Excellent numerical, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
* Effective communication and teamwork abilities.
* Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

Personal Attributes
* Passion for power and energy infrastructure.
* Strong willingness to learn and develop technical expertise.
* Proactive and innovative mindset.
* Ability to work collaboratively in multi-disciplinary teams.
* Commitment to safety, quality, and engineering excellence.

Career Development

Graduates will follow a structured development programme including:
* Technical mentoring from senior engineers.
* Rotations across primary, secondary, cable, and OHL disciplines.
* Site and commissioning exposure.
* Professional institution membership support.
* Structured pathway towards Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.

Preferred Discipline Streams

Successful candidates may specialize in one of the following:

* HV Substation Primary Design
* Protection & Control Engineering
* Underground Cables Engineering
* Overhead Line Engineering

The start date for this position is September 2027. * Be working towards a relevant Degree or Master's level qualification in electrical engineering
* A flexible, proactive mindset and motivation to drive your career forward
* Adaptability and enthusiasm for learning
* Permanent right to work in the UK

Selection Process

* Apply Online

* Solo Video Assessment

* Interview

Apply before 12 October 2026 to be considered in the first assessment window. Applications may still be accepted afterwards, but roles may be filled during the initial window.

For further information, please see our brochure - [1] https://jacobs-global.foleon.com/brochures/early-careers/

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References

Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.

With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we've gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You'll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well-being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you'll discover how you can cultivate, nurture, and achieve your goals - all at a single global company. Find out more about life at Jacobs.

We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we're more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of different perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging. Find out more about our Jacobs Employee Networks here.

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As a disability confident employer, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a vacancy. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we're keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.