LG&E and KU - Spring 2026 Mechanical Engineering Co-op - Multiple Positions Available!

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.

 

We have multiple Mechanical Engineering Co-op positions to fill! Work locations include: Louisville, KY; Ghent, KY, and Bedford, KY.

 

Required Education/Experience

Available full time during the Spring 2026 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.

 

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

 

Enterprise Standards

As a co-op in Enterprise Standards, you’ll support the development and maintenance of critical documentation used across the company, including Material Specifications, Engineering Instructions for designers and engineers, and Construction Specifications for field crews. You’ll help ensure alignment with industry best practices and compliance with standards such as IEEE and NESC. Current initiatives focus on benchmarking and harmonizing practices across operating companies, as well as exploring innovative technologies. This role offers exposure to technical writing, standards development, and strategic engineering practices.

 

Environmental Affairs

As a co-op in Environmental Affairs, you’ll gain hands-on experience with environmental applications in the utility industry. You’ll assist in gathering data for environmental and regulatory compliance reports, support the submission of environmental permits and planning documents, and participate in site walkdowns and chemical inventory reviews. This role provides valuable exposure to environmental regulations, utility operations, and sustainability practices, offering a strong foundation in environmental compliance and field-based assessments.

 

Fleet Engineering

As a co-op in Fleet Engineering, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of power plant operations through guided plant tours and hands-on study of generating equipment. You’ll learn the fundamentals of project planning and management, and apply your skills by visiting various plants to investigate operational issues. You’ll be responsible for analyzing problems and presenting engineering-based solutions to both plant and engineering teams. This role offers a balanced experience between office-based planning and fieldwork at generation sites.

 

Gas Storage Operations

As a co-op in Gas Storage Operations, you’ll gain hands-on experience with the systems and equipment involved in natural gas compression, pipeline infrastructure, and well operations. You’ll assist with drafting technical documents, updating spreadsheets, and researching materials and equipment. You’ll also support the station engineer on capital projects.. This role offers a blend of technical design work and operational insight into natural gas systems.

 

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

Project Engineering

As a co-op in Project Engineering, you will assist with large-scale construction and design initiatives across our facilities. You’ll gather technical data, coordinate with vendors, and track project milestones. As your term progresses, you may take ownership of smaller contracts or projects, gaining valuable experience in project management. Most roles in this department are based full-time at active project sites, offering immersive, hands-on learning.

 

Systems Engineering

As a co-op in Systems Engineering, you’ll support a range of assignments focused on the performance and maintenance of substation equipment. Projects may include analyzing data from circuit breaker monitoring systems and assisting field personnel with troubleshooting and maintaining major substation electrical assets. This role offers exposure to both analytical tools and hands-on engineering support, providing a strong foundation in substation systems and operational reliability.