Mechanical Engineer/Specialist – Volume Procurement

About the role

The Mechanical Engineer / Specialist provides technical and execution support to the Volume Procurement group, enabling the efficient sourcing and delivery of mechanical equipment and engineering services for multiple new generation projects. This role operates in a programmatic environment, supporting multiple projects simultaneously by coordinating across engineering design teams, suppliers, procurement, quality, and project controls.

Responsibilities

• Procurement & Contract Execution
  • Develop and issue purchase orders for mechanical equipment and associated engineering services
  • Partner with design teams to assemble comprehensive bid packages, including technical specifications, scope of work, and evaluation criteria
  • Support supplier evaluation, bid reviews, and technical recommendations for awards
  • Administer supplier contracts, including scope clarification, issue resolution, and change management
• Manufacturing & Supplier Coordination
  • Track manufacturing progress and validate milestones to support progress payments based on supplier performance
  • Conduct weekly or biweekly progress meetings with vendors to review manufacturing status, identify risks, and drive issue resolution
  • Gather detailed manufacturing schedules and key production milestones and communicate them to project scheduling teams for integration into project plans
  • Develop and deliver monthly long lead time projections and status updates to stakeholders
  • Coverage with suppliers to ensure adherence to technical, schedule, and quality requirements
• Technical Oversight & Quality Assurance
  • Review shop drawings and technical submittals for compliance with project specifications
  • Coordinate and communicate witness points and hold points to the Quality team for inspection planning
  • Support issue resolution related to design, manufacturing, and supplier performance
• Project Coordination & Delivery
  • Track and manage delivery of mechanical components to job sites, ensuring alignment with construction schedules
  • Collaborate with project leads and project controls teams on schedule, cash flow, and quality performance
  • Provide regular updates and clear communication on procurement status, risks, and mitigation strategies across multiple projects
• Programmatic Support
  • Support a portfolio of projects simultaneously, applying standardized processes and best practices across all procurement activities
  • Drive consistency, efficiency, and continuous improvement within the Volume Procurement function
  • Serve as a key interface between engineering, procurement, supply chain, quality, and project execution teams

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline preferred
• 5+ years relevant experience with technical training and hands-on experience in mechanical systems, equipment, or procurement-related functions may be considered in lieu of a degree
• 3+ years of experience in mechanical engineering, procurement engineering, or project execution preferred
• Previous experience in procurement processes, supplier management, and contract administration highly desired
• Demonstrated strong communication skills, including the ability to lead supplier calls, present updates, and coordinate across diverse stakeholders preferred

Qualifications

• Knowledge of mechanical equipment used in power generation, industrial, or infrastructure projects (e.g., turbines, pumps, piping systems, heat exchangers, rotating equipment)
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, P&IDs, shop drawings, and technical specifications
• Experience supporting power generation or utility-scale projects
• Knowledge of project scheduling and cost tracking concepts
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Strong verbal and written communication

Skills

• Knowledge of Southern Company Values – Safety First, Intentional Inclusion, Superior Performance, and Act with Integrity
• Customer focused
• Works effectively in a collaborative team setting

Benefits

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.