Equipment Services Engineer [BHM or ATL]

About the role

This position will support the Equipment Services team by providing engineering support and technical expertise for transformer assets across the Southern Company footprint, with a primary focus on generation facilities. The successful candidate will work closely with plant personnel, project managers, system owners, supply chain management, and equipment vendors to support transformer reliability, maintenance, procurement, sparing strategy, and problem resolution initiatives.

This position is flexible to be located at either the Energy Center in Birmingham, AL or 160 Lake Mirror Road in Forest Park, GA (Metro Atlanta). Some relocation assistance may be available if the successful candidate does not already live within a reasonable commute distance. This position will require a mix of both field and office work. A moderate amount of travel will be required (approximately 25%). Travel to vendors’ locations for audits and witness testing is required.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safety and quality are the top priorities in all transformer-related activities.
• Provide engineering support to site transformer engineers, system owners, and project managers for transformer projects.
• Develop and maintain technical specifications for medium & large power transformers.
• Review and approve vendor drawings, factory test reports, and documentation to ensure compliance with Southern Company standards.
• Manage and witness factory inspections and acceptance testing during manufacturing of new transformers.
• Provide technical support for field and factory repairs, including failure analysis, replacement planning, and corrective actions.
• Support condition-based maintenance programs and reliability improvement initiatives.
• Lead failure investigations and root cause analysis for transformer events.
• Conduct quarterly switchyard meetings with generation sites to address transformer issues and fleet initiatives.
• Serve as owner of the Generator Step-Up (GSU) Sparing Strategy for the generation fleet.
• Develop and maintain the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Transformer Sparing Strategy.
• Participate in Fleet Review Board switchyard activities and provide transformer expertise.
• Own and maintain the generation transformer spare parts list.
• Ensure proper storage levels and inventory management at Forest Park and Calera warehouses to support all generation sites (retail and non-retail).
• Serve as the Transformer SME supporting the Operations Monitoring & Diagnostics (M&D) Center.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain Management (SCM) to ensure current and future transformer needs are aligned with project schedules and need dates.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from an ABET accredited institution is required.
• Professional Engineer License is preferred but not required.

Qualifications

• Experience with transformers is preferred.
• Experience in generation switchyards is preferred.

Skills

• Proven ability in applying safe work practices.
• Ability to build and maintain professional working relationships with internal and external clients.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills.
• Presentation skills to effectively communicate technical knowledge to others.
• Extensive problem-solving skills.
• Model Our Values: Safety First, Intentional Inclusion, Act with Integrity, and Superior Performance.
• Takes personal responsibility, demonstrates initiative, and is self-motivated.
• Focuses on positive interactions and timely customer service.
• Willing to accept challenging assignments.
• Effective, team-oriented interpersonal and leadership skills.

Benefits

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: