Manager, Elec Sys & Utility Ops - KEP

DTE Energy•Kokomo, IN

6d•Onsite

About The Position

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.

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.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

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