Job Description

Excited to work for a key Belgian player in the energy landscape?

The Belgian and European energy landscape is in full swing. Did you know that Elia Belgium plays a crucial role in this? As part of Elia Group, a European transmission system operator, Elia Belgium ensures the reliability and sustainability of the electricity supply in our country.

Side-by-side with your talented colleagues, you will play a part in building a sustainable, green and reliable energy infrastructure that stimulates economic growth and reduces our ecological footprint.

Only together can we make the biggest impact possible! We believe in the power of diversity: we are convinced that an inclusive and diverse work environment leads to more innovation, creativity and better results.
Young Graduate Program - Grid Data & Digital Innovation
Requisition ID:  11211
Posting Start Date:  22/06/2026

Track 1 – Building the Digital Future of the High-Voltage Grid

 

Your Challenge

 

All Assets and Electrical Functions within Elia’s high-voltage grid must comply with strict naming conventions. These names are much more than labels: they are essential for the safe operation of the electricity grid and are used in operational systems, technical drawings and field installations.

 

Today, applying these rules correctly still requires significant manual expertise. As the grid and projects become increasingly complex, this can lead to inconsistencies, additional workload and delays.

 

As a young graduate, you will have the opportunity to help us rethink how this can be done in a smarter, more efficient and future-oriented way.

What does the first year of this track look like?

 

During the first year of this two-year programme, you will gradually discover both the technical and operational sides of Elia.

 

Understand, Analyse and Build (6 months)

 

During the first six months, you will gain a deeper understanding of the high-voltage grid, the various systems and existing processes. You will work together with experts from different teams to understand:

 

  • how naming conventions are applied today;
  • why they are so critical for safety and operations;
  • and where the current challenges and inefficiencies lie.

 

Based on this analysis, you will contribute to designing and developing a smart solution capable of automatically generating correct naming conventions based on:

 

  • single-line diagrams;
  • technical context;
  • business rules.

 

Depending on your interests and strengths, you may further specialise in:

 

  • artificial intelligence and deep learning;
  • expert systems;
  • automation;
  • digital engineering;
  • data consistency;
  • or system integration.

 

Testing, Implementing and Creating Impact (6 months)

 

During the following six months, the focus will shift towards testing, optimisation and implementation.

 

You will contribute to:

 

  • further improving the solution;
  • testing it in realistic use cases;
  • supporting its rollout across different teams.

 

You will have the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues from:

 

  • Grid Development;
  • Engineering;
  • and other technical expert departments.

 

This will allow you to discover not only the technical side of the project, but also how innovation and change management are put into practice within a complex organisation.

Track 2 – Staying in Control of the Dynamics of the Electricity Grid

 

Your Challenge

 

The rapid emergence of new technologies such as batteries (BESS), HVDC interconnections and hybrid installations means that electricity production and consumption within Elia’s grid can change increasingly fast.

 

These installations bring significant flexibility, which is a major asset. At the same time, they put pressure on the way we currently monitor and operate the grid. Today, our systems observe the grid at fixed intervals (for example, a snapshot every five minutes).

 

As a result, owners of these installations increasingly question the current limit on how quickly power can change (the ramp rate of 2% per second), arguing that it is too restrictive. However, this limit is not only based on what is physically possible, but also on how effectively our systems can detect and interpret rapid changes.

 

The challenge can be summarised simply: if the system changes faster than we can measure it, information may be missed or misinterpreted. This raises the question of whether our current tools remain suitable for an electricity system that is becoming increasingly dynamic.

 

In this mission, you will help determine how we can continue to monitor and operate the grid safely and reliably in the future despite faster and more dynamic changes.

What does this track look like?

 

During the second year of this programme, you will investigate the practical consequences of an increasingly dynamic electricity grid.

 

The objective is to understand what this means in practice:

 

  • Can we continue to operate and monitor the grid in the same way?
  • Or do we need to adapt our approach?

 

You will examine both:

 

  • the operational aspects of grid operation;
  • and the technical systems used for monitoring.

 

Impact Analysis of Ramp Rate Limits (6 months)

 

During the first half of this mission, you will analyse the current limit governing how quickly installations may adjust their power output (the so-called 2% per second ramp rate).

 

You will assess whether this limit remains appropriate in a system that includes an increasing number of assets capable of ramping up and down much faster.

 

You will investigate:

 

  • how rapid changes may create or alleviate congestion;
  • their impact on power system stability;
  • and the extent to which the control room can effectively monitor and respond to such changes.

 

The objective is to determine:

 

  • whether faster ramping could be allowed in certain situations;
  • whether stricter limits may be required in specific cases;
  • and how these limits should evolve in a future system with more renewable energy sources and batteries.

 

Evaluation of the EMS and Supervisory Chain (6 months)

 

During the second part of this mission, you will assess whether the current SCADA/EMS and State Estimation framework provides a sufficiently accurate and timely representation of the system.

 

The evaluation will focus on:

 

  • the temporal resolution of measurements and processing;
  • the validity of periodic static snapshots;
  • the ability to detect and anticipate rapid system variations.

 

The objective is to determine:

 

  • whether the current tools remain sufficient;
  • or whether improvements (such as higher refresh rates, dynamic analyses or enhanced observability) are required to ensure operational security.

Who are we looking for?

 

We are looking for young graduates who:

 

  • hold a Master’s degree in engineering, data science, computer science, automation, artificial intelligence or a related field;
  • enjoy solving complex problems and developing innovative solutions;
  • possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
  • have an interest in technology, digitalisation and innovation;
  • enjoy collaborating with colleagues and experts from different disciplines;
  • want to actively contribute to the energy transition;
  • demonstrate curiosity, proactivity and initiative;
  • have a good command of Dutch, French and English, both written and spoken.

Why is this mission interesting?

 

This mission lies at the intersection of:

 

  • engineering;
  • digitalisation;
  • artificial intelligence;
  • operational excellence;
  • and change management.

 

Your work will have a direct impact on:

 

  • grid security;
  • project efficiency;
  • and the continued digitalisation of Elia.

 

As a starter, you will quickly be given ownership, work alongside experienced experts and actively contribute to innovative solutions shaping tomorrow’s energy system.

Our Offer

 

You will join a key player in the energy transition and contribute every day to the development of tomorrow’s critical infrastructures.

 

We offer you:

 

  • A stimulating and meaningful job within a technological environment that is constantly evolving;
  • Numerous learning and professional development opportunities; A collaborative environment where autonomy, innovation and initiative are encouraged;
  • A competitive salary package including:
    • Salary: Competitive salary package, representation allowance, year-end bonus, double holiday pay, meal vouchers (€10 per working day), eco-vouchers, sport and culture vouchers, bonus based on individual and collective results.
    • Insurance: Group insurance, hospitalisation insurance, outpatient care for family members and private accident insurance.
    • Holidays: You are entitled to 20 vacation days, 5 compensation days, 6 local days, 4 executive days (after 1 year of service) and up to 5 seniority days (1 day per 3 years of service).
    • Social fund: Year-end vouchers, birth and marriage bonuses, and partial reimbursement for expenses related to glasses, dental prostheses or similar needs.
    • Communication: You receive an iPhone with subscription (also for private use), reimbursement of your internet subscription and a laptop.
    • Discounts: You benefit from a 30% discount on your gas and electricity bill.
    • Mobility: We offer you a company car and a public transport subscription or a mobility budget.
    • Elia shares: Elia offers you the opportunity to subscribe to shares with a 16.66% discount on the average share price.

 

You will evolve within a company recognised as a Great Place to Work, where employee development and internal mobility are central priorities.

Work Location

 

Vilvoordselaan 126 – 1000 Brussels 

There’s something electric in the air with this job offer!

In exchange for your work and dedication, you enjoy the following benefits:

  • A job full of variety with a top employer: Elia encourages innovation and collaboration. Within our company you will be at the forefront of the energy transition, and you will have the chance to contribute to ground-breaking technologies designed to accelerate this transition. It is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to further develop your knowledge and skills.
  • Focus on personal growth and well-being at work: Discover a wide range of professional training and coaching opportunities that are guaranteed to give your personal growth a solid boost.  At the same time, as a top employer, we put maximum effort into a positive work culture in which your well-being is central.
  • Development opportunities for a challenging career: At Elia, we encourage you to seek out and seize new professional opportunities. You will enjoy complete freedom to shape your career on your own terms.
  • A diverse team of passionate colleagues: Elia puts a high value on diversity and inclusion. You will join a diverse and passionate team that enjoys sharing knowledge and leading the way towards a more sustainable future together.

These are just a few of the benefits that distinguish Elia as a Top Employer. We are convinced that your contribution to our team will be invaluable and look forward to welcoming you soon!
Apply now