Director, Engineering

Great Lakes Energy is seeking a strategic and experienced Director of Engineering to manage the engineering operations of our electric distribution system and lead our team of professionals responsible for system design, technical service, and GIS and interconnection.

Who We Are

For more than 85 years, Great Lakes Energy has provided reliable electric service to rural communities across 26 counties in western and northern Michigan. As the state's largest member-owned electric utility, we serve more than 128,000 meters with a commitment to innovation, transparency, and member satisfaction.

Beyond electric service, we're committed to building stronger communities through robust fiber technology offered by our communications subsidiary, Truestream, and through our energy efficiency and charitable initiatives, including the People Fund. Our 300+ employees are passionate professionals who work collaboratively to deliver meaningful, community-focused results.

A Day in the Life

In this dynamic role, no two days are the same. You'll lead a high-performing team while driving department goals and initiatives that reflect GLE's mission and values. Your leadership will shine as you coach team members, collaborate across departments, and oversee construction work planning with precision and purpose.

You'll be a key technical resource, supporting business development efforts and proactively addressing both technical and personnel challenges. Your expertise will be essential in managing environmental reporting and leveraging data analytics to design, develop, and evaluate distribution system performance.

Whether you're solving complex operational issues, enhancing system reliability, or ensuring compliance with company, utility, federal, and state standards, your work will directly contribute to the success and sustainability of our operations.

What You Bring

You're a seasoned electrical engineering professional with a deep understanding of electric distribution systems and a strategic mindset grounded in data analytics and decision-making. Your foundation-a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering-has been strengthened by over a decade of hands-on experience, including five or more years leading and developing high-performing teams, ideally at an electric distribution cooperative utility.

As a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in the state of Michigan, you bring credibility and technical excellence to every project. You're well-versed in engineering and construction standards, including Rural Utilities Service (RUS) specifications and federal/state regulations, and you know how to apply them effectively in real-world scenarios. You are well-versed in construction work plan planning and you've successfully led teams through strategic planning and major implementation projects like SCADA and AMI, navigating complexity with confidence and clarity. You're naturally curious and forward-thinking-keeping pace with industry trends and emerging technologies isn't just part of your job, it's part of your passion. For you, continuous learning isn't a requirement-it's a source of energy and inspiration.

Beyond technical expertise, you embody GLE's corporate culture and values. You understand our mission, vision, and guiding principles, and you've demonstrated your ability to align departmental strategies, programs, and services with our broader organizational goals.

What's in It for You?

We believe our people are our greatest asset and our benefits reflect that. From the expected to the exceptional, our offerings are designed to support you and your family at every stage of life. We provide a well-rounded package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, parental leave, adoption assistance, tuition reimbursement, life insurance, and robust retirement plans - just to name a few.

Ready to make a meaningful impact in rural Michigan?

Apply today and help lead the charge in energy innovation at Great Lakes Energy.

We know your time is valuable and that's why our application is short. Grab your resume and answer a few short questions at the link below.

Great Lakes Energy is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

About Great Lakes Energy

As the third-largest Michigan-based electric utility and the largest member-owned power company in Michigan, we have succeeded because we’re a well-run business that is committed to providing energy solutions to more than 125,000 member-consumers in 26 counties in western and northern Michigan, from Kalamazoo to the Mackinac Straits. For more than 80 years, our success has been built around the mutual trust we share with our member-consumers. That’s because our members are also the owners of our electric cooperative.

Connections working at Great Lakes Energy