As Switzerland's national grid company, Swissgrid offers a variety of exciting and impactful roles – and we're always looking to add new sources of energy to our team. Apply now and help us to shape Switzerland's electricity future.
Are you studying engineering, natural sciences, electrical engineering or IT – or have you already completed your degree? Then Swissgrid is the ideal place to start your career.
You turn on the tap, and the water starts flowing. Something that we essentially take for granted in fact requires a fully functional infrastructure and coordination in the background. The same is true of the Swiss transmission grid. Without an extensive network of power lines, constant management of electricity flows and cooperation between all partners, permanently available electricity would not be the norm. Together, Swissgrid employees play a vital role in guaranteeing a secure supply of electricity across Switzerland and Europe.
Loïc Ehrler is one of the team members responsible for operating the transmission grid and maintaining a frequency of 50 Hertz. As an operator in the Prilly grid control room, he performs switching operations through which he can control the various grid elements. For example, line sections need to be shut down so that maintenance can be carried out, or when grid operations call for it. These switching operations demand close coordination between Swissgrid and the distribution system operators. The lower grid levels are connected to the extra-high-voltage grid via transformers. This means that they can be managed using switching operations.
Julia Song has the future transmission grid in her sights. As a project engineer, she supervises line construction projects and compares the possible line corridor variants as part of the upstream sectoral plan process. One of the objectives throughout this process is to protect both water and the environment. She also conducts site visits to maintain an overview of the construction projects. Once all factors and interests have been aligned, a complete draft of the line corridor is prepared for the Swiss Federal Council.
Another person who spends a lot of time onsite is Cécile Jost. She is responsible for pylon and line safety. As facility manager, she commissions service providers to carry out visual inspections and maintenance activities to ensure that pylons and lines can be operated safely. Cécile Jost is out and about three days a week in any weather, either on foot, by car or in a helicopter. Her role puts her in contact with people in the immediate vicinity of pylons and lines, such as residents, district foresters and construction service providers.
Jérémy Plumejau, Manager Stakeholder Affairs, is in close contact with partners in the industry. Swissgrid works extensively with energy producers and distribution system operators. Valais in particular plays an important role in grid stability thanks to its highly flexible hydropower plants. As a «bridge builder» he draws on his vast network to coordinate complex issues and represent the interests of Swissgrid and stakeholders alike. One way he does this is by developing solutions that are acceptable to all parties to deadlocked construction projects.
Serge Wisselmann, Head of Ancillary Service Procurement, is another colleague with an interest in market-driven solutions. His team's role includes procuring control reserves to maintain the 50 Hertz standard transmission grid frequency. Swissgrid is responsible for this power market and constantly strives to develop innovative solutions in this area. For example, small hydropower plants can merge to form a virtual power plant. This gives them the critical mass required to participate in the market.
As Head of Real Estate & Administration Services, Nicolas Gysi is not just responsible for administrative matters, such as the reception area, internal mail and building cleaning services. His remit also extends to technical maintenance, heating, ventilation and climate control as well as the supply of drinking water. This is particularly challenging in the grid control room, which needs to run as a self-sufficient unit in an emergency. Nicolas and his team are constantly working to provide a well-functioning and pleasant work environment for Swissgrid employees.
We offer internships and diploma projects for students and graduates. Young people in the fields of engineering, natural sciences, electrical engineering and IT can make the perfect start to their professional career at Swissgrid.
What we offer
An internship at Swissgrid lasts between three and twelve months. Interns and graduates are involved in projects from day one. During this time they
Our requirements
What do we expect from you?
Your benefits
At the end of the internship we will discuss your experiences during your time at Swissgrid and give you detailed feedback. But we are also interested in your future: we will discuss with you the prospects for starting a career at Swissgrid.
Are you interested? Send us your dossier at least two months before you wish to start the internship. We require all your application documents, including CV, a photo and details of your availability. We would also be interested in the title and subject of your dissertation, if you already have it.
The new federal energy strategy, the modernisation of operations, and the change in European energy markets present major challenges for the energy system. To enable Swissgrid to continue contributing to the established security of supply and quality, it is essential that the right decisions are made with regard to grid and market operations.
Advanced training in system operations
The new advanced training course on the subject of electrical energy systems focuses on system operations to help prepare specialists of distribution system operators, power plant operators, federal railways and Swissgrid for the oncoming challenges as well as possible.
This course will help participants develop the following skills:
Swissgrid was able to work with Romande Energie, Omicron and the Research Centre for Energy Grids (FEN) to launch the certified course and influence the training content.
General goals
The goal of the afore-mentioned advanced training course is to offer interested engineers system operations training that can be applied to the entire industry. After completing the course, participants will be able to apply their skills in multiple areas and will have attained a standardised, high-quality training certificate covering various fields in electrical energy systems.
