LG&E and KU - Spring 2025 Mechanical Engineering Co-op - Multiple Positions Available!

Why choose LG&E and KU for your co-op?

As part of our robust engineering workforce, you’ll benefit from a stimulating and challenging work environment. We offer co-op opportunities in a variety of areas that require an engineering mindset, critical-analysis and creative thinking.  

Our diverse workforce and strong culture of service to the communities are cornerstones of our companies. And our employees are proud of the reliable energy they provide safely to customers each day.

During your co-op, you will gain experience and exposure to practical engineering applications within the utility industry.  Co-ops work alongside experienced engineers and will perform a variety of projects and assignments that have specific instructions and expected results.

Required Education/Experience

Available full time during the Spring 2025 semester (January - May)

Pursuing a Bachelor’s degree with declared major in Mechanical Engineering

Minimum 2.50 GPA

Work Conditions

Office, field, or plant environment.  Some positions might require ability to work in adverse climate conditions and physical nature of work may require climbing in and out of equipment and walking on grated sidewalks up to 50 feet in the air.

Physical Effort

Physical nature of work may require climbing in and out equipment and walking on grated sidewalks up to 50 feet in the air.

Position may be in one of the departments listed below:

Project Engineering (Mill Creek Plant): Assist engineers on large construction/design projects.  Gather data and vendor information, and track progress of projects.   As term progresses, co-op may be responsible for managing small contracts and projects.  Most positions are assigned to project site(s) full time.

Power Plant Operations (Ghent Trimble and Mill Creek Plants):  Will work on projects dealing with daily operation and maintenance of the power generating stations.  Co-op will use analytical skills to determine root cause failures and determine corrective action.  Also will use knowledge of boiler dynamics in working with other engineers on engineering design or maintenance/operations. 

Fleet Engineering: Co-op will learn all aspects of power plant operations through plant tours and studying generating equipment.  Co-op will also learn the planning process and project management procedures.  Will be responsible for visiting plants, investigating problems, and presenting solutions to engineering and plant staff.  Position will involve both office and plant work. 

Environmental Affairs: The co-op will gain experience and exposure to environmental applications within the utility industry.  Co-op will assist in the development of and gather data for environmental/regulatory compliance reports, assist with the submission of environmental permits and planning documents and perform site walk downs and chemical inventory reviews. 

Gas Storage Operations:  Learning operations involved with natural gas compressor station and associated equipment, pipelines and wells.  Drafting, creating and updating spreadsheets and investigating materials/equipment, and assisting station engineer with capital projects.  Developing process flow diagrams, and piping and instrumentation diagrams. 

Gas Transmission Integrity & Compliance: Learning engineering specifications, construction standards, and inspection practices.  GIS and document management system knowledge developed.  Conduct quality assurance reviews of construction records and compile engineering data in GIS. 

Major Accountabilities

• Identifies opportunities for improvement and/or suggests improved methods.
• Gathers, correlates, and analyzes specific data using established procedures.
• Performs detailed and/or routine engineering assignments involving established calculations, tests and analysis.
• Performs a variety of routine tasks that will improve the individual’s familiarization with the engineering methods, practices, and programs of the Company.
• Supports operating and maintenance functions with engineering analysis, troubleshooting, problem identification, problem resolution activities.
• Assists Senior Engineers and/or Engineer I, II and III with large projects, as needed.
• Assists with the development of station/engineering goals, objectives, budgets, programs and procedures.
• Plans and controls all activities so as to provide an accident-free work place.
• Conducts work activities with regard to environmental rules and regulations.
• Regularly reviews assignments to assure optimum efficiency and cost effectiveness.
• Performs other duties as directed by management.