Spring 2026 Mechanical or Chemical Engineering Co-op

Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company, part of the PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) family of companies, are regulated utilities that serve more than 1.3 million customers and have consistently ranked among the best companies for customer service in the United States. LG&E serves 334,000 natural gas and 433,000 electric customers in Louisville and 16 surrounding counties. KU serves 569,000 customers in 77 Kentucky counties and five counties in Virginia. LG&E and KU are major employers and active supporters of the communities they serve. They empower employees, community members and initiatives across their service territory through volunteerism and investments in organizations that support education, sustainability and wellbeing.

Why Choose LG&E and KU for Your Co-op?

At LG&E and KU, our engineering co-op program offers a dynamic and engaging environment where students can apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges. As part of our robust engineering workforce, you’ll gain hands-on experience in a variety of disciplines that require analytical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation.

We take pride in our collaborative culture and strong commitment to serving our communities. Our employees are united by a shared purpose: delivering safe, reliable energy to our customers every day.

 

This position is located in Ghent, Kentucky. 

Required Education/Experience

Available full time during the Spring 2026 semester (January - May)

Pursuing a Bachelor’s degree with declared major in Chemical, or 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.

What You’ll Do

As an engineering co-op, you will work alongside experienced professionals and contribute to meaningful projects that support our operations. Your responsibilities may include:

• Identifying opportunities for process improvement and recommending solutions.
• Collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data using established engineering procedures.
• Performing routine engineering tasks such as calculations, testing, and analysis.
• Supporting operations and maintenance teams with troubleshooting and technical evaluations.
• Assisting engineers with large-scale projects and initiatives.
• Participating in the development of engineering goals, budgets, and procedures.
• Promoting a safe and environmentally responsible workplace.
• Reviewing assignments for efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
• Performing other duties as assigned by management.

 

What You’ll Gain

• Exposure to practical engineering applications in the utility industry.
• Mentorship from experienced engineers.
• Opportunities to contribute to impactful projects.
• Insight into utility operations, safety standards, and environmental regulations.

 

Department-Specific Overview

Power Plant Operations

In Power Plant Operations, you’ll support the daily operation and maintenance of our power generating stations. You’ll apply analytical skills to investigate root cause failures and recommend corrective actions. This role also involves working with experienced engineers on projects that will improve system reliability, and engineering design solutions that directly impact plant performance and safety.