About Us
Western Power Distribution is a 6500 strong team of operational and support staff constructing, maintaining, repairing and upgrading the electricity distribution network that serves 7.9 million customers across the Midlands, South Wales and the South West.
We keep the lights on in cities such as Birmingham, Bristol and Cardiff and we take power to the furthest reaches of our rural landscape across the Brecon Beacons, Dartmoor and the Peak District.
As owners and operators of one of the largest electricity distribution networks in the UK, we take great care in looking after every element, from underground cables to overhead lines and substations operating from 230V to 132kV.
The UK has a clear commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. This is leading to unprecedented changes in the way customers use, generate, and distribute energy. Digitalisation of the energy system is at the heart of Western Power Distribution's (WPD) transition to build a smart and efficient energy system. We operate the network for our customers, so it is essential we respond to their changing use of the network and adapt our operations to continue to deliver excellent customer service, reliability, and value for money. At WPD, we are seeing significant increases in distributed renewable forms of generation connecting directly to our network, such as solar, wind, and energy storage along with increasing levels of Low Carbon Technologies (LCT), most prevalently electric vehicles and heat pumps. As a result we are seeing our role as a Distribution Network Operator (DNO) shift to become a Distribution System Operator (DSO) to manage real-time energy flows, and use technology, innovation and commercial arrangements to make optimal use of existing network capacity.
Job Introduction
Moving from today's analogue system to a modern, digitalised energy system, is a critical step in enabling the UK's transition to net zero carbon emissions while keeping the lights on for customers. The availability and utilisation of good quality and accessible data is key. This means providing increased access to the right data at the right time within our organisation and through open access to our customers and interested stakeholders
The role of Digitalisation & Data Engineer will be responsible for developing and delivering data driven solutions focussed both internally and externally to meet and exceed the recommendations of the Energy Data Taskforce Report. These will focus on master data improvement and management, driving data insight and operation and ensuring data is presumed open.
Are you passionate about the future of the electricity and wider energy industry? Are you dedicated to playing an active role in the support the modernisation of the energy industry? Are you excited by the opportunities about driving value from large network datasets? If so, we'd love you to join us in Western Power Distribution.
The base location for this position could be Bristol (BS2 0TB), Castle Donington (DE74 2TU), or Tipton (DY4 0HH), however as you would expect with the UK's largest DNO there is significant business travel required.
As part of our hybrid working approach and in line with our policy, this role allows you to apply for a mix of office and home working. Hybrid working can only be considered once your initial training is complete and subject to business need.
Interviews for this role will be held on Monday 3rd or Tuesday 4th October.
If you are offered a position, you will be required to complete and provide a satisfactory basic DBS check that shows any unspent convictions or conditional cautions.
Salary progression is available. Please note the successful candidate may initially be appointed to a lower salary range until all relevant training is complete.
Main Responsibilities
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will have a passion for digitalisation and data and supporting the modernisation of the energy system. They will have experience of delivering and implementing complex and innovative digitalisation projects and advanced solutions in an agile and dynamic manner, with an understanding of the regulatory framework DNOs and other organisations within the sector operate within.
An appetite to challenge the 'norm' and do things differently is essential as well as acting as a positive disrupter within our business and the wider industry.
A minimum of a bachelor's degree in a relevant subject is essential along with: