Manager, Elec Sys & Utility Ops - KEP

DTE Energy; Kokomo (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

DTE Energy seeks an experienced Electrical Subject Matter Expert at the Kokomo Engine Plant to lead day‑to‑day operations, maintenance, reliability, and continuous improvement of utility assets. You will serve as the onsite electrical SME for medium‑voltage distribution and troubleshooting, while coordinating with customers and contractors.

The role requires strong leadership, hands‑on MV experience, and the ability to drive safety, efficiency, and energy‑saving initiatives across the plant’s

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years supervisory or managerial experience in utility/industrial facilities.
• Experience with industrial electrical distribution up to 15 kV and medium‑voltage switching.
• Ability to lead safe, high‑performing teams including unionized staff.
• Strong budget, vendor oversight, and customer‑facing skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee operation, maintenance, reliability and continuous improvement of utility assets.
• Lead site personnel and liaison with customer leadership and contractors.
• Develop reliability and maintenance strategies for equipment availability.
• Coordinate outage planning, emergency response and investigations.

Skills

Electrical distribution

Leadership

Budget management

Safety leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Minimum 5 years supervisory/managerial experience

Experience with 15 kV distribution systems

Tools

CMMS tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert: Create Alert

DTE is one of the nation’s largest diversified energy companies. Our electric and gas companies have fueled our customer’s homes and Michigan’s progress for more than a century.And as Michigan’s largest source of renewable energy, we’re creating a cleaner, healthier environment to power our future. We’re also serving communities beyond Michigan, where our affiliated businesses offer renewable energy, emission control technologies, and energy services to industries in 19 states. But we’re more than a leading energy company... and working at DTE is more than just a job.At DTE, we take great care of each other and our customers, and we use our energy to be a force for growth and prosperity in our communities. When you join us, you’ll be part of a team that welcomes, recognizes, and celebrates differences, and values everyone’s health, safety, and wellbeing. Are you ready to make that kind of difference? Bring your energy to DTE.Together, we can achieve great things.

Job Summary

This position oversees the day-to-day operation, maintenance, reliability, and continuous improvement of utility and energy assets at the Kokomo Engine Plant (KEP), ensuring systems operate safely, efficiently, reliably, and in an environmentally responsible manner while meeting customer requirements. This role also serves as the site operations leader and primary electrical SME, providing technical guidance on medium-voltage distribution, switching operations, troubleshooting, maintenance, emergency response, equipment performance, and reliability. This position does not perform electrical engineering design work.

Assets include four chillers; four low-pressure air compressors (90 PSI centrifugal) with a total capacity of 18,800 CFM; 39 rooftop air handling units; high-bay lighting and electrical distribution systems; 100,000-gallon wastewater holding tanks that pump to the onsite treatment facility; and a cooling tower that supports several of these systems.

The position reports to the Regional Operations Manager and serves as the primary liaison between DTE and customer leadership at the Kokomo Engine Plant, while also supporting the Indiana Transmission Plant.

Key Accountabilities

Operations & Site Leadership

• Oversee safe, reliable, efficient, and environmentally responsible operation of customer-owned utility assets to meet customer requirements.
• Lead site personnel, including unionized operations and maintenance employees, and serve as the primary onsite liaison with customer leadership.
• Build effective relationships with customer personnel, contractors, suppliers, and key stakeholders.
• Manage operating and maintenance budgets, inventory controls, purchasing activities, and cost-reduction initiatives.
• Drive continuous improvement and ensure compliance with commercial agreements, company policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.

Utility Systems Management

• Oversee operation and maintenance of utility infrastructure, including chilled water, compressed air, cooling tower, electrical distribution, wastewater, air handling, instrumentation, and related systems.
• Develop reliability and maintenance strategies to maximize equipment availability, performance, and system efficiency.
• Support outage planning, system restoration, emergency response, and root cause investigations.

Electrical Subject Matter Expert Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary electrical SME for KEP/ITP and support other company facilities as needed. Provide technical guidance on electrical system operations, maintenance, troubleshooting, reliability, and corrective actions.
• Perform or oversee medium-voltage switching, troubleshooting, and emergency response in accordance with safety procedures and operating standards.
• Resolve complex electrical issues involving distribution systems, transformers, switchgear, protective relays, motors, feeders, and control systems.
• Coordinate with contractors and technical service providers during electrical failures, major maintenance activities, assessments, and equipment evaluations.

Administrative

• Manage schedules, time reporting, contractor coordination, work prioritization, and operational reporting.
• Support company initiatives, best practices, and operational excellence programs.

Minimum Education & Experience Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent and at least seven (7) years of supervisory or managerial experience in the operation, maintenance, and administration of utility systems, powerhouses, industrial facilities, or similar plant assets; or
• Associate degree or industry‑recognized certificate in a related discipline and at least five (5) years of related supervisory or managerial experience; or
• Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline and at least three (3) years of related supervisory or managerial experience.
• Minimum five (5) years of hands‑on experience with industrial electrical distribution systems up to 15 kV, including medium‑voltage equipment, switching operations, troubleshooting, maintenance, emergency response, and protective relaying.
• Strong knowledge of industrial electrical distribution systems, including switchgear, transformers, protective relays, motors, feeders, controls, and related infrastructure.
• Demonstrated ability to lead safe, accountable, high‑performing teams in heavy industrial, utility, manufacturing, or energy environments, including unionized workforces.
• Ability to drive operational excellence, reliability, continuous improvement, and energy efficiency across utility and plant systems.
• Strong business acumen, including budget management, financial performance, vendor/contractor oversight, commercial obligations, and customer expectations.
• Effective communication, collaboration, influencing, problem‑solving, decision‑making, and change leadership skills.
• Ability to serve as a credible technical subject matter expert across multiple industrial facilities; proficiency with Microsoft Office and CMMS tools.

Other Qualifications

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Power Systems Technology, or a related technical discipline.

Physical Demands & Working Conditions

The physical demands characterized here epitomize those that must be met by an employee to properly perform the integral functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. In order to properly perform the integral functions of this job, the employee is required to:

• Frequently stand or walk and sit.
• Frequently lift objects of up to 10 pounds in weight; occasionally lift or move objects of up to 40 pounds in weight.
• Talk or hear, both in person and by telephone; use wrists, hands and/or fingers in a repetitive motion; and reach with hands and arms extensively.
• Use computers, mouse, keyboard, and other office equipment.
• Possess the following vision requirements: close, color, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
• Frequently climb ladders, walk extended distances, enter mechanical and electrical equipment areas, and access elevated platforms.
• Wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), including arc‑flash and electrical safety gear when performing or overseeing electrical work.
• Be exposed to industrial noise, heat, equipment vibration, and varying environmental conditions.
• Respond to utility or electrical emergencies on a 24/7 basis as operational needs require.
• Work in a business office setting and at an industrial site.

Additional Information

Incumbents may engage in all or some combination of the activities and accountabilities, and utilize a variety of the competencies cited in this description depending upon the organization and role to which they are assigned. This description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by incumbents in this job. It is not intended as an all-inclusive list of accountabilities or responsibilities, nor is it intended to limit the rights of supervisors or management representatives to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.

At DTE Energy, we are committed to providing an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome and a sense of belonging. We seek individuals with a heart for service, a passion to help our communities prosper, and ideas to help shape the future of energy. We are proud to be an equal opportunity, employer that considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, disability, national origin, citizenship, height, weight, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, protected veteran status or any other status protected by applicable federal and/or state laws.