The posting
Job Description
WORK LOCATION, SCHEDULE, & TRAVEL:
- The successful candidate may be located at GPC Headquarters in Atlanta or at an operational plant site within our service territory, based on organizational needs and candidate qualifications.
- Hybrid work schedule (both in-office and telecommute); currently four (4) days in-office and one (1) day telecommute (subject to adjustment).
- Relocation assistance may be provided if the successful candidate does not currently live within a reasonable commute distance.
- This position will require some travel (day and overnight, up to 30%) and the ability to work successfully in a remote/virtual environment with access to internet service.
POSITION SUMMARY
The I&C Renewables & BESS Site Lead Engineer/Specialist at Southern Company is pivotal in the renewable and resilient energy sector and is responsible for the design, integration, implementation, operation, maintenance, and lifecycle management of plant control systems, SCADA systems, and communications infrastructure supporting renewable and resilient energy facilities including solar, battery energy storage systems (BESS), distributed energy resources (DERs), microgrids, and other emerging grid technologies.
The successful candidate will be a member of the I&C Renewables Project Support team, providing call-out, project, technical, and operational support to ensure the reliable operation of plant control systems, SCADA systems, and communications infrastructure across Southern Company's renewable and resilient energy fleet.
POSITION QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering (ABET accredited), Computer Science, Information Systems, or related technical discipline preferred.
- Associate degree in Engineering Technology, Industrial Controls, or related technical fields with relevant experience will be considered.
Experience:
- Minimum three (3) years of experience supporting, maintaining, or managing plant control systems and/or SCADA systems.
- Experience with designing, troubleshooting, and maintaining plant control system hardware and software strongly preferred.
- Experience with configuration, programming, and communications connectivity of Real-Time Automation Controllers (RTACs) and/or Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) strongly preferred.
- Experience with design, testing, and configuration in logic scripting languages such as structured text, ladder logic, and function block preferred.
- Experience with SCADA integration fundamentals such as tagging, alarming, Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs) preferred
- Experience with data management techniques using industrial automation communication protocols (e.g. Modbus, OPC, DNP3) preferred.
- Experience with communications technologies such as fiber optic networks, Ethernet, VPN, and cellular communications a plus.
- Experience with Inverter-Based Resource (IBR) control systems a plus.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide site ownership, call-out support, and representation for assigned plant control systems.
- Serve as a technical expert pertaining to hardware, software, and architecture for assigned sites.
- Coordinate control system activities during project implementation and outages.
- Support real-time operations through troubleshooting and maintenance of SCADA systems, communications networks, and remote monitoring infrastructure.
- Collaborate with the broader team to support Remote Operations Center (ROC) integration and operational readiness for applicable sites
- Lead contractors and vendors during control system deployments.
- Improve and maintain plant control and automation systems used for real-time monitoring and control of renewable and resilient energy facilities
- Develop, configure, and maintain process control equipment, including RTACs, PLCs, and renewable generation-related instrumentation.
- Create and maintain schematics, documentation, and diagrams as needed for existing systems, new implementations, upgrades, and changes.
- Assist in specification, procurement, configuration, field checkout, and commissioning of control systems.
- Assist in developing project scope definitions, estimates, and schedules.
- Assist with maintaining compliance with Southern Company’s cybersecurity standards, regulatory compliance, and NERC/CIP requirements applicable to renewable and resilient energy facilities.
Additional Useful Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of I/O, metering, and protective relays.
- Knowledge of networking and firewalls, including concepts such as NATs and VLANs, and experience using tools such as Wireshark.
- Knowledge of engineering drawing tools such as AutoCAD, Microsoft Visio, and draw.io.
- Knowledge of field instrumentation communications (e.g., meteorological stations, combiner boxes, inverters).
- Knowledge of Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, hypervisors, and Windows Server.
- Knowledge of commissioning and start-up testing for reactive power, active power, curtailment, availability, and performance.
Behavioral Attributes:
- Must consistently demonstrate the behavior of Our Values – Safety First, Intentional Inclusion, Act with Integrity, and Superior Performance Safety First: Prioritize the safety and well-being of employees, customers, and communities. Intentional Inclusion: Foster a culture of belonging and value diversity within the team. Act with Integrity: Conduct business with honesty, respect, and fairness. Superior Performance: Focus on continuous improvement and exceptional service delivery.
- People Priority: Commit to developing yourself and those around you.
- Growth Mindset: Take Lessons Learned opportunities to grow skills, learn from prior efforts, and foster collaboration.
- Proactivity: Take personal ownership and responsibility for work.
For a list of our competitive benefit offerings, please visit this link.
About Us
About Southern Company
Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. Providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy with excellent service is our mission. The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy solutions provider with national capabilities, a fiber optics network and telecommunications services. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, resilience and sustainability, we are taking action to meet customers' and communities' needs while advancing our goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and are the key to our sustained success. We are transforming energy into economic, environmental and social progress for tomorrow. Our corporate culture has been recognized by a variety of organizations, earning the company awards and recognitions that reflect Our Values and dedication to service. To learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com.
Southern Company invests in the well-being of its employees and their families through a comprehensive total rewards strategy that includes competitive base salary, annual incentive awards for eligible employees and health, welfare and retirement benefits designed to support physical, financial, and emotional/social well-being. This position may also be eligible for additional compensation, such as an incentive program, with the amount of any bonus/awards subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable incentive plan(s). A summary of the benefits offered for this position can be found here https://seo.nlx.org/southernco/pdf/SOCO-Benefits.pdf. Additional and specific details about total compensation and benefits will also be provided during the hiring process.
Southern Company is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.
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