Engineer I, II, III, or Principal - Meter Engineering

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 performs engineering work for utility advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) network and metering assets, and requires independent application of standard based engineering techniques, procedures, and principles. Departmental areas of responsibility include system design and monitoring, engineering analysis, troubleshooting, and direct technical support to utility AMI operations and infrastructure. Work is conducted with established regulatory compliance, operating policies and standards compliance. Position to be filled at the Engineer I, II, III, or Principal level based upon applicant's qualifications and background.

Responsibilities

- Serve as a technical resource for AMI network equipment and meters. Supports overall AMI operating functions with engineering analysis, troubleshooting, methodical problem identification and resolution activities. This includes ensuring timely installation of field equipment, AMI network optimization, system security verification and any relevant system upgrade analysis.

- Directs and/or supports the activities of others in the department, as they perform various activities including installation or checkout of new metering and AMI network equipment, meter programming, AMI network equipment configuration, troubleshooting, testing, etc.

- Provides direct support to Meter Operations Center (MOC) in troubleshooting and resolving AMI network system alerts, major communications and/or power outages, meter diagnostic, and/or meter connectivity issues, assisting with interval data validations, troubleshooting read estimations and meter data downloads, and coordinating and assisting technician field personnel to resolve and correct as necessary.

- Serves as a technical resource in administration and/or operation of Meter Data Management system (e.g., eMeter/Siemens EnergyIP), Meter Asset Management system (e.g., Radian/WECO WattNet Plus), AMI head end system (e.g., Landis+Gyr Command Center), AMI network monitoring, diagnostic and field troubleshooting tools. Strives to become proficient in SAP customer information and billing system.

- Develops engineering processes and testing procedures impacted or driven by changes in metering configurations and firmware, AMI head end application releases, newly discovered hardware and/or firmware defects, field investigations, etc. This includes planning and executing network firmware upgrades, and developing targeted network optimization plans for service areas with fluctuating performance levels.

- Examines and develops metering and AMI network equipment specifications, maintains standards, and supports the Company in evaluation, procurement and forecasting of new meters, instrument transformers, and new AMI network equipment.

- Provides direct assistance to meter shop personnel in programming, testing, installation, and troubleshooting of various meters, metering software, and metering instrument transformers. This includes setting up correct meter configurations and applicable test procedures for test equipment, analyzing customer installation specific diagnostic data, and recommending corrections as needed.

- Provides direct assistance to the Transmission, Electric Distribution, and Generation engineering and operations groups in developing and implementing project specific metering requirements and site configurations. This includes reviewing and approving proposed metering components and site design, configuring correct meter and transformer setup, assisting with testing and checkout of meter data points transmitted to responsible control centers, SCADA/RTU equipment, and third-party interconnecting utilities’ systems, and troubleshooting any issues or directing changes as needed.

- Assists other departments regarding customer service related issues, regulatory data requests, and operational standard and reliability inquiries.

- Plans and controls all activities so as to provide an accident-free and safe work place and conducts work activities with regard to environmental rules and regulations in accordance with established Company policies.

Qualifications

Required Education

ABET accredited Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.

Required Experience

Engineer I - No years of experience required. Ability to analyze and solve engineering problems from a business perspective. Utility system operator experience will be counted as engineering experience for this position.

Engineer II - Minimum 2 years of experience in engineering. Ability to analyze and solve engineering problems from a business perspective. Utility system operator experience will be counted as engineering experience for this position.

Engineer III - Minimum 5 years of experience in engineering, or a master’s degree in engineering plus 3 years of engineering experience, or a PhD in Engineering plus 2 years of engineering experience. Ability to analyze and solve engineering problems from a business perspective. Utility system operator experience will be counted as engineering experience for this position.

Principal Engineer - Minimum 10 years of experience in engineering, or a master’s degree in engineering plus 8 years of engineering experience, or a PhD in Engineering plus 7 years of engineering experience. Ability to analyze and solve engineering problems from a business perspective. Utility system operator experience will be counted as engineering experience for this position.

Preferred Qualifications

Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related Engineering discipline is preferred. Ability to use formal engineering training in practical application to electric and gas utility metering systems and assignments. Experience in utility power system design, electricity metering, protection and control applications, data transport networks, and/or telecommunications. Excellent experience in problem-solving, analysis, and troubleshooting and demonstrated superior written, verbal communication, interpersonal and influencing skills to work cooperatively with internal and external stakeholders. Ability to absorb information, apply conceptual skills in practical applications, and achieve desired results in a highly technical, operating environment. Ability to communicate complex ideas effectively. Be able to handle multiple assignments concurrently. Ability to work with and advise a variety of personnel including engineers, management, contractors, supervisors, consultants, laborers, etc.

Work Conditions

Normal office environment with frequent trips to the field and annoyable exposure to stress, noise, heat, etc. Travel throughout the LG&E/KU service area with occasional overnight assignments may be required.

Physical Effort

Frequent standing, walking, climbing, or operating in work-controlled position.