Graduate Design Engineer

A career that will deliver change. Together, we can help Britain achieve net zero.

Come and join our Instrumentation and Control (I&C) focussed Graduate Design Engineering programme and you can make an immediate impact, powering the nation today whilst helping to build a sustainable energy future for tomorrow and be part of UK nuclear new build programme. 

“With energy demand on the rise, nuclear power is the clear choice to maintaining a stable, low carbon baseload which can be combined with renewable energy. EDF is shaping the UK’s future energy infrastructure with projects such as Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C.” 
Hemma, Engineering Graduate

What is the I&C Graduate Design Engineering Scheme?

Embark on a transformative 18-month programme that offers you the chance to experience placements across our nuclear new build programme. These opportunities will include working on Software and Hardware based Reactor Protection Systems, Plant computing systems, Process Automation and Control Systems.

Hinkley Point C will be the largest and most complex nuclear power station ever constructed generating some 7% of the UK’s electricity carbon free.  The instrumentation and control systems are the brains behind the power station and critical to ensure safe reliable operations.

The systems are designed and built in France and Germany. During the graduate programme, you will have an opportunity to learn about these systems while working in EDF’s offices in the Bristol or Gloucester area for an initial period of 6 months followed by a 12-month placement in France embedded within the I&C design organisation (Edvance) or our supplier (Framatome).   

On your return to the UK you will be part of the HPC I&C site integrated team or Nuclear Services, taking ownership of the I&C systems and implementing modifications to them to enable commissioning and start-up of the power station. 

You could find yourself working with a number of different teams including Commissioning, Pre Operations or Engineering.  The work you do will be key in transforming Hinkley Point C from a complex construction project to an operating nuclear power station.

Pay, culture and benefits:

• Starting salary of £35,000, market-leading pension scheme and annual performance bonus
• Relocation support in the UK and France
• Support towards your personal and professional development including chartership
• Daily French tuition for the 6 months you are in the UK
• 28 days’ annual leave
• Wellbeing, physical and mental health support services

At EDF, everyone’s welcome. We strive to create an inclusive and diverse environment where everyone has a voice and where you feel confident being yourself.  We’re committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We’d like our future workforce to have an equal gender balance, represent a broad mix of people from minority ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+, those with a disability and supporting social mobility.
  
We’re a disability confident employer and we’ll do all we can to help with your application, making adjustments as you need.   
  
We’ll value the difference you bring and offer opportunities for you to thrive and succeed.  

Training, Development and support for you:

We’re passionate about your development and offer a tailored training path that will help develop your skills, knowledge and behaviours, both during the scheme and in your future career.

You’ll contribute to different projects throughout the programme, which may include:

• Work on I&C systems;
• Supporting design reviews; 
• Factory acceptance testing in France;
• Site acceptance testing; 
• Commissioning testing; 
• Trouble shooting and performing software modification when systems arrive at HPC site in UK

Following an induction with graduates from all of our schemes at our state of the art facility, Cannington Court (Somerset) in September 2024, you’ll spend the first 6 months of the scheme working in the Southwest, where you will spend time at our design office in Aztec West (Bristol), our offices in Gloucester and the Somerset Energy Innovation Centre, Bridgwater.  The final 12 months of your programme will be spent in France. 

Within one year of completion of the programme you’ll be applying the skills and knowledge you have gained as you build your career in I&C engineering working in the Site Integrated Team until HPC is commissioned or within Nuclear Services.

In the longer term you could move on to become one of the I&C Engineers working on the operational site, or one of the design engineers responsible for providing advice and guidance from the technical centre, or perhaps you’ll move on to SZC to support that project as it progresses and be able to apply your experience in numerous areas of EDF Group, not to mention being well on your way to becoming a Chartered Engineer.  

Head to www.edfenergy.com/careers/graduates for more information about the scheme structure, our culture and Graduate life at EDF.

Where you’ll work:

Get ready for an incredible training experience! Throughout the programme, you’ll have the chance to explore a variety of our sites, immersing yourself in the diversity of our business. Locations on the scheme will include Aztec West (Bristol), Gloucester, the Somerset Energy Innovation Centre, Bridgwater, and France all where you’ll have the opportunity to make amazing memories.

We value work-life balance and understand the importance of personal lives, which is why we offer a supportive environment that allows you to thrive both personally and professionally. With ample opportunities to network and learn, this journey promises to be one you'll cherish.

To join our team you’ll need:

• 2:2 Bachelor’s Degree or a 2:2 Postgraduate Degree (obtained or expected) in Electrical, Electronics, Control Instrumentation, Maths, Physics, Automation or Software Engineering (Note: For this role you will need to have an aptitude and interest in Software Engineering)
• Interest to learn French language
• Open to relocate to France as part of the programme
• A genuine interest in nuclear energy
• To be appointed to this role, you will need to meet the criteria for Security Vetting which will, ordinarily, require you to have been a resident of the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years.

Our selection process is designed to bring out the best in you! We use a strengths-based approach to let you shine and showcase your skills and what truly brings you joy. We believe that embracing our   individual strengths lies at the heart of engagement and the motivation to succeed and excel at work. We’re here to guide you and you’ll find helpful tips and advice about the application process and assessment centre dates on our graduate web pages.

The closing date for applications is Friday 29th September. We advise you to apply as early as possible.

Join us. Together, we’ll help Britain achieve net zero.