Principal Engineer

Company Summary Statement

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.

Overview

This position is responsible for leading the technical development and potentially execution of strategic and complex power generation projects. Projects include but are not limited to natural gas generation, renewable generation (solar and battery storage), and environmental projects at existing generating facilities.

This position involves overseeing all phases of project development, from feasibility studies, conceptual design, regulatory approval, and contract negotiations. This position also has the potential to oversee project implementation and commissioning. This position is expected to provide strategic technical leadership, mentor junior engineers, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure the successful development of projects. The role demands a deep understanding of engineering principles, power generation, current generation technology, transmission & distribution systems, project management, and the ability to drive innovation in project development.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical development of strategic large-scale engineering projects by providing guidance on design, execution, and optimization.
• Develop and refine project strategies, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and client needs.
• Identify and mitigate risks early in the project lifecycle, ensuring project goals are met on time and within budget.
• Oversee the creation of detailed engineering designs, ensuring they meet industry standards, client specifications, and regulatory requirements.
• Drive innovation in project design, identifying opportunities for the application of new technologies and methodologies.
• Lead technical reviews and ensure the quality and accuracy of engineering deliverables.
• Provide technical mentorship and development of junior engineers, providing feedback, training, and support in their career progression.
• Promote collaboration and knowledge-sharing across project teams and departments.
• Act as the primary technical liaison with clients, partners, and internal stakeholders, ensuring clear communication of project goals, progress, and challenges.
• Prepare and deliver high-level presentations and reports to senior management, clients, and other key stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with external partners, vendors, and regulatory bodies.
• Establish and enforce quality control processes, ensuring that all project outputs meet the highest standards of quality and safety.
• Ensure all projects comply with relevant industry standards, codes, and regulations, and obtain necessary permits and approvals.
• Lead post-project evaluations, identifying lessons learned and areas for improvement in future projects.
• Develop and manage project budgets, ensuring financial objectives are met and resources are used efficiently.
• Optimize project costs through value engineering and strategic procurement.
• Evaluate financial models and contribute to the development of business cases for new projects.
• Plans and controls all activities so as to provide an accident-free work place.
• Regularly reviews assignments to assure optimum efficiency and cost effectiveness.
• Participates in professional, industry, and / or civic organizations to maintain and enhance expertise actively seeking, researching, and recommending new and innovative applications of technology.
• Performs other duties as directed by management.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications