Demo

Assistant Central Utility Plant Manager

DTE Energy
Sterling, MI Full Time
POSTED ON 8/2/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 11/30/2026
Location:
Sterling Heights, MI, US

Company: DTE Energy Services, Inc.

Job ID: 17652

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

Location: Sterling Heights, MI

This position is responsible for assisting with overseeing, managing, and directing the day-to-day operations and maintenance activities for the Utility and Energy Assets located within the central utility complex and manufacturing area at Stellantis’ Sterling Heights Stamping Plant (SHSP).

Assets include (8) Low Pressure Air Compressors (90 PSI, Centrifugal and Reciprocating) with a total capacity of 39,000 CFM; (8) High Pressure Air Compressors (175 PSIG, Rotary Screw) with a total capacity of 2800 CFM; (43) Roof Top Air Handling Units (gas-fired); Lighting and Electrical Distribution Systems; (1) Seasonal Low Pressure Firetube Boiler (12 PSI); Weld Water System; Wastewater Treatment System capable of processing 80 kgal/day of Industrial Waste; and (6) Cooling Towers that support several of these systems.

Utility systems and powerhouse infrastructure experience is required, particularly in the competitive, non-regulated energy market. Experience supervising unionized labor is important. Work involves performing difficult and complex services requiring a high level of independent judgment, initiative, and discretion. Work is mainly self-directed, with work results reviewed through the achievement of set goals and adherence to policies and procedures. This position reports to the Plant Manager.

Key Accountabilities

Maintains a strong safety culture. Complies with all site safety and environmental requirements and procedures. Identifies safety hazards and takes corrective actions as necessary. Assists with the development of and ensures that all site safety requirements and procedures are properly implemented, consistently observed and corrective actions are initiated when applicable
Supervise and direct the daily activities of all plant personnel, including an hourly, unionized workforce consisting of (4) Stationary Engineers, (2) Operators and (10) Skilled Tradespersons, all of whom are Stellantis employees
Develops, implements, and manages consistent plant operating philosophies and best practices to maximize plant availability, efficiency, and productivity
Ensures Contractors comply with all On-Site Business Unit and DTE Energy policies, procedures, and Safety requirements
Establishes, reviews, and modifies as required all predictive/preventive maintenance requirements programmed into the maintenance management system in alignment with maintenance strategy
Develops performance goals and reviews in a comprehensive, open, and objective manner to align employee accountabilities and conduct with operational processes in accordance with administrative guidelines
Investigates operating abnormalities and incidents to improve equipment availability and performance and to minimize maintenance requirements
Prepares necessary plant operation reports in a timely manner and investigates all forced outages, reporting them in accordance with the BU practice through SharePoint
In collaboration with Plant Manager, prepares and continually evaluates the operating department’s budgets and/or makes recommendations to the Plant Manager relative to optimization of operations and maintenance costs
Assists with maintenance engineering evaluations and troubleshooting of equipment abnormalities
Maintains a consistent and effective level of communication with Plant Manager, Administrative staff, O&M Technicians and Skilled Trades on shift
Assist the Plant Manager with project management of all planned outage activities, including long term planning for capital improvements
In collaboration with the Plant Manager, drives continuous improvement of established metrics on the plant huddle board. Continually stretching goals toward the plants True North

Minimum Education & Experience Requirements

A high school diploma or GED

At least 8 years of supervisory or managerial experience in a Cogeneration power plant with a represented (Union) workforce

Other Qualifications

Preferred:
Additional consideration provided for technical degrees

Other Requirements:
Thorough, demonstrated understanding of plant operations and maintenance, with strong knowledge of generating equipment, boilers, and water treatment processes

Ability to analyze and improve operations business processes

Proven planning and scheduling experience working with O&M, and other technical personnel involved with preventative/predictive maintenance and corrective maintenance

Solid knowledge of plant engineering and plant maintenance functions and how they relate to operations

Experience with accounting practices as it relates to analyzing cost impacts to budget

Demonstrated skill in planning, coordinating, and directing varied programs and tasks directly affecting the overall plant operation

Strong oral and written communication skills

Ability to work shifts and extra/irregular hours and to work under unusual and special conditions that can arise in a generation station

Ability to pass respirator fit tests to use respiratory protective equipment or self-contained breathing apparatus at all times

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 frequently required to:

Occasionally stand or walk and stoop or kneel

Frequently sit

Talk and hear, use hands and fingers; handle and feel' and able to reach with hands and arems extensively

Enter and work in confined space areas, including boilers, condensers, tanks, etc. to evaluate equipment condition or inspect work efforts by assigned resources

Frequently lift objects of up to 10 pounds in weight. Occasionally lift or move onjectos of up to 40 pounds in weight

Use computers with exposure to video display terminals; and some repetitive motion associated with data entry, the use of a computer mouse, and while using other office equipment

Possess the following vision requirements: close, color, distance, peripheral, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus

Work both in a business office setting and a plant site. Occasionally be exposed to outside weather conditions, including wet and/or himid conditions, and may work near moving mechanical parts and/or machinery. Occasionally be exposed to fumes or airborne particles and vibration. Be in a work environment that is usually moderat but may become loud at the plant 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.

PRIVACY NOTICE TO CALIFORNIA JOB APPLICANTS

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.

Benefits:

Health Insurance, 401K Plan, Dental Insurance

Salary.com Estimation for Assistant Central Utility Plant Manager in Sterling, MI
$166,130 to $207,328
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