Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) is no longer a future concept – it is a critical part of how modern utilities operate, engage with customers, and manage networks safely and efficiently.
Across the UK, Channel Islands and beyond, utilities are investing heavily in smart metering and AMI 2.0 programmes. These are complex, multi‑year transformations that sit at the intersection of technology, infrastructure, regulation, and customer service. As a result, experienced AMI professionals are increasingly in demand.
For engineers, project managers and delivery specialists already working in this space – or considering a move into it – AMI offers long‑term career stability, technical challenge, and the opportunity to work on programmes that genuinely matter.
This article looks at what working in AMI really involves, the key roles that underpin successful delivery, and the skills employers value most.
What is Advanced Metering Infrastructure – in practical terms?
AMI is far more than the installation of smart meters.
A typical AMI programme spans:
- Physical metering assets and communications equipment
- Head End Systems (HES) and Meter Data Management (MDM)
- Integration with billing, customer systems and operational platforms
- Field installation, commissioning and replacement at scale
- Testing, assurance, regulatory compliance and customer impact management
These programmes often run for several years and operate in live, safety‑critical environments. Success depends not just on the technology chosen, but on how well delivery is governed, how effectively field activity is executed, and how smoothly the solution transitions into day‑to‑day operations.
This is where experienced AMI professionals make the difference.
Core career paths within AMI programmes
While AMI teams are multi‑disciplinary, two roles are consistently critical to delivery success: Project Managers and Project Engineers with strong field expertise.
AMI Project Manager
AMI Project Managers typically operate on the client side, owning delivery across the full programme lifecycle.
Their responsibilities often include:
- End‑to‑end programme governance, planning and reporting
- Coordinating internal teams across metering, IT, finance, customer care and service delivery
- Managing vendors and system integrators under formal contractual arrangements
- Owning cost control, forecasting, risk management and change control
- Overseeing testing phases (FAT, SIT, UAT, SAT) and acceptance decisions
- Managing deployment sequencing, installer capacity and operational readiness
These roles suit Project Managers who are comfortable working across both technical and operational domains, and who enjoy managing complexity, dependencies and long‑term delivery risk.
In regulated utility environments, AMI Project Managers also play a key role in ensuring safety, compliance and customer impact are treated as primary delivery constraints – not afterthoughts.
AMI Project Engineer / Field Installation Specialist
Where Project Managers focus on governance and orchestration, AMI Project Engineers ensure that designs actually work in the real world.
This role is often the bridge between:
- System designers and vendors
- Business processes and operational teams
- Field installers working in live customer environments
Key elements of the role include:
- Developing and maintaining installation standards and technical instructions
- Translating vendor documentation into clear, field‑ready guidance
- Supporting installation, replacement, commissioning and acceptance activities
- Acting as the technical escalation point for complex or non‑standard issues
- Capturing learning from pilots and rollout activity and feeding it back into system configuration and training
- Supporting testing and assurance activities to validate real‑world operability
Strong AMI Project Engineers combine hands‑on technical credibility with the ability to communicate clearly and influence multiple stakeholders. They play a crucial role in making deployments safe, repeatable and supportable at scale.
Skills and experience employers look for
While every programme is different, organisations recruiting into AMI roles typically value:
- Experience delivering complex, multi‑year infrastructure or systems projects
- Exposure to regulated or safety‑critical environments
- Confidence coordinating cross‑functional teams and external suppliers
- Strong understanding of governance, risk and change control
- Working knowledge of database‑driven systems and system integrations
For field‑focused engineering roles, additional strengths often include:
- Practical experience with electricity metering installation and commissioning
- Single‑phase, three‑phase, CT and VT metering knowledge
- Experience supporting large‑scale rollout or replacement programmes
- Familiarity with smart metering, AMI and MDM environments
- Comfort operating in live customer settings
Formal project management qualifications (such as PRINCE2, MSP or PMP) and electrical authorisations are often desirable, but real‑world delivery experience is equally important.
Why AMI appeals as a long‑term career path
For many professionals, AMI offers a compelling alternative to shorter, more fragmented project work.
Key attractions include:
- Long‑term programmes that provide stability and continuity
- High visibility roles with genuine influence over outcomes
- Exposure to both technology and operational delivery
- Transferable skills across utilities, infrastructure and energy sectors
- The opportunity to shape systems that directly impact customers and networks
As utilities continue to modernise, experienced AMI professionals are likely to remain in demand well beyond individual rollout programmes.
Location and lifestyle considerations
Some AMI programmes – such as those in the Channel Islands – offer an additional dimension.
Smaller networks often mean closer collaboration between teams, clearer accountability, and the opportunity to see the full impact of your work. For the right candidates, permanent AMI roles in these locations can combine professional challenge with an attractive quality of life.
Current live AMI roles
Here are some of the live AMI-focused roles currently open via Jonathan Lee Recruitment:
🔹 Project Manager – Advanced Metering Infrastructure
Permanent | On Site | St Helier, Jersey
Lead the end-to-end delivery of an AMI 2.0 programme, owning governance, schedule, cross-functional coordination and supplier engagement. This role is suited to experienced project managers with a strong track record of delivering complex infrastructure or systems projects.
👉 View & apply
🔹 AMI Project Engineer – Field Installation Specialist
Permanent | On Site | St Helier, Jersey
Be the technical link between system design, field installers and operational teams. This role focuses on creating installation standards, supporting commissioning, and driving continuous improvement in real-world AMI deployment.
👉 View & apply
Supporting AMI professionals
At Jonathan Lee Recruitment, we have supported engineering and energy professionals since 1978. Our consultants work closely with both candidates and clients to understand the realities of AMI delivery – not just job titles.
Whether you are an experienced AMI Project Manager, a field‑focused Project Engineer, or exploring your next move within smart metering, we offer confidential advice on current and upcoming opportunities.
If you are considering your next step in Advanced Metering Infrastructure, we would be happy to have a conversation –
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