Electrical Engineering Graduate

Job Description

Electrical Engineering Graduate Programme

Company: VPI

Location: Damhead Creek (with placements across UK sites)

Length of Programme: 2 years

Salary: £31,930

About VPI

VPI is a leading international power company, backed by Vitol. They play a vital role in the energy transition, bridging the gap between current energy needs and future solutions. VPI’s unique combination of trading and operational expertise enables them to anticipate and solve challenges as the energy transition unfolds.

VPI supports customers by addressing their energy requirements, whether through strengthening energy security with governments, enhancing grid stability with operators, or enabling investors to explore new power solutions. This is achieved by developing, building, operating, and optimising power assets that provide reliable, flexible, and low-carbon energy to millions of homes and businesses across their markets. Currently, VPI operates in the UK, Ireland, and Germany.

What is the Role?

This two-year graduate programme offers a comprehensive understanding of all VPI sites, with a primary focus on the Electrical Engineering aspects of the Damhead Creek site. The programme aims to expand your professional capabilities and knowledge, ultimately preparing you for chartership and beyond.

Over the two years, you will be based within the Electrical Engineering team, part of VPI’s central engineering function within the operational business. As an Electrical Engineering Graduate, you will be responsible for supporting and delivering projects, implementing operational improvements, and ensuring the necessary governance for the reliable deployment of VPI’s generation portfolio in the UK and Ireland. The role will include placements with other teams within the operational business, providing the breadth and depth of knowledge essential for large power station operation and engineering.

You will undertake a minimum of 10 weeks of placements at various plants (Damhead Creek, Kent; Rye House, Hertfordshire; Shoreham, Sussex; Blackburn, Lancashire; and Immingham, Lincolnshire) to gain a clear understanding of plant operations. This will involve carrying out operational routines, familiarising yourself with the Safety Rules process, and identifying plant and assets. The remainder of the programme will be individually tailored through a combination of formal training, coaching, and hands-on, on-the-job training.

Additional Benefits

• Holiday: 25 days holiday (prorated), plus bank holidays.
• PMI: Personal Medical Insurance for self.
• Insurance: Life Assurance – 6x base salary.
• Overtime: 1.5x salary (must be pre-approved).
• Pension: Scottish Widows scheme, includes employer contribution to a maximum of 10%.
• Perkbox: Points and benefits programme, including a £50 annual Christmas gift via Perkbox rewards.
• Site Gym.
• Membership of site Sports and Social club.
• Weekly site fruit delivery.
• Free parking at site.
• Free EV charging at sites.

Who is Suitable to Apply?

• Educated to Degree standard in Electrical Engineering.
• A positive ‘can do’ mentality, self-motivated, and capable of setting the right behaviours.
• An ability to think laterally and flexibly to deliver solutions, with a ‘process driven’ focus to delivery.
• Good communication skills.
• Ability to handle multiple work projects concurrently as business needs arise.
• Desire to learn about the UK power market.
• Good organisational skills.
• Strong IT and Microsoft Office capabilities.
• Can be within a 1-hour commute from the power station site (Damhead Creek).
• Right to work in the UK.
• A valid Driving License and access to a car is essential.
• Happy to be on site 5 days a week.