Pipeline Integrity Engineer / Analyst

About the Role

The Pipeline Integrity Engineer is a focused discipline within a job family. The duties listed are activities associated with the various levels of the engineering progression, which includes Engineer I, Engineer II, Engineer III, and Engineer Sr. The Pipeline Integrity Analyst discipline follows a similar progression covering Analyst I, Analyst II, and Sr. Analyst.

Functional Expertise

• Serve as the TIMP subject‑matter expert for planning and executing Direct Assessment (DA) assessments.
• Analyze transmission pipeline data – identify High Consequence Areas, identify pipeline threats, prepare pre‑assessment data, select appropriate assessment methods, review & integrate assessment data, direct examination selection for repair or tool validation, recommend re‑assessment intervals, and draft written post‑assessment reports.
• Prepare excavation plans and technical exhibits to assist in permit acquisition for field assessment activities.
• Perform technical analysis to evaluate pipeline condition, conduct root‑cause analysis, and assess fitness for service.
• Document all aspects of the transmission pipeline integrity management plan.
• Organize and maintain pipeline data, assessment reports, technical documentation, procedures, and the basis for all TIMP decisions.
• Perform written plan updates and initiate plan changes as needed to maintain code compliance.
• Organize supporting documentation and plan for regulatory audits.
• Analyze assessment data, prepare remediation plans, schedule work, and identify other pertinent risk‑reduction measures.

Business Acumen

• Prepare technical requests for proposals for transmission pipeline integrity field services, evaluate vendor submittals, and recommend vendor selections.
• Determine assessment budget requirements.
• Track, monitor, and report assessment budget status.
• Process invoices and accruals.
• Administer contracts with third‑party contractors.
• Perform quality audits of contractor work to ensure compliance with company policies and procedures.
• Identify and implement process improvements.

Engagement

• Provide technical assistance for operations and formulate guidance to maintain pipeline safety and regulatory compliance.
• Gather data from Operations, company systems, and other sources necessary to support TIMP decisions, threat identification, risk analysis, and regulatory reporting (e.g., pressure history, gas quality, leak history, encroachments).
• Provide technical support for engineering, construction, and operations.
• Utilize comprehensive analysis to identify necessary Preventive & Mitigative (P&M) measures and work with key operational stakeholders to implement and track effectiveness.
• Review and evaluate new integrity management technology; develop corresponding processes and procedures for materials & equipment.
• Identify needs for pipeline modifications (e.g., piggability retrofit) and coordinate with engineering to implement them.

Driving Results

• Work with permitting authorities to secure necessary permissions for assessment activities.
• Communicate with affected landowners in areas impacted by assessment activities.
• Coordinate with internal resources as necessary to prepare for and execute assessment activities (e.g., gas control).
• Prepare required regulatory reports, notifications, and documentation.
• Maintain transmission data model updates.
• Verify proper training and qualifications of contractor resources (e.g., OQ).
• Monitor integrity assessment and remediation schedules and track progress toward regulatory deadlines.

Education and Certifications

Analyst I, II, Sr. Analyst

• Required: High School Diploma (Analyst I), Associate’s Degree (Analyst II), or Bachelor’s Degree (Sr. Analyst) combined with the specified years of relevant experience.
• Preferred: ESRI Professional Certification.

Engineer I, II, III, Sr.

• Required: B.S. in an ABET‑accredited engineering discipline (Civil, Mechanical, Metallurgical, or Materials).
• Preferred: Engineer‑in‑Training (E.I.T.) certification, Professional Engineer (PE) license, Project Management certification, or an advanced degree (MBA or Master’s in Engineering).

Related Work Experience

• Analyst I – 4 years (high school), 2 years (associate’s), or 1 year (bachelor’s) of relevant experience.
• Analyst II – 5 years (high school), 3 years (associate’s), or 2 years (bachelor’s) of relevant experience.
• Sr. Analyst – 8 years (high school), 6 years (associate’s), or 4 years (bachelor’s) of relevant experience; pipeline integrity or utility experience preferred.
• Engineer I – BS in engineering; transmission pipeline integrity experience preferred.
• Engineer II – 3+ years gas utility operations, engineering, or related experience; transmission pipeline integrity experience preferred.
• Engineer III – 5+ years gas utility operations, engineering, or related experience plus 2+ years transmission pipeline integrity experience.
• Engineer Sr. – 7+ years gas utility operations, engineering, or related experience plus 3+ years transmission pipeline integrity experience.

Specific Skills & Knowledge

• Project management proficiency (all levels).
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) proficiency – basic for Analyst, advanced for Engineer III and Sr.
• Advanced MS Office proficiency (Analyst II, Engineer III, Sr.).
• Advanced communication and technical writing skills (Analyst II, Engineer III, Sr.).
• Proficient technical writing and analytical/data‑management skills (all levels).
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision (Analyst II, Engineer III, Sr.).
• Advanced analytical and data‑management abilities (Engineer III, Sr.).
• Technical pipeline evaluation software, remaining strength calculations, and pipeline assessment vendor in‑line inspection software proficiency (preferred across analyst and engineer levels).
• NACE or equivalent industry credentials (preferred for analyst and engineer levels).
• Knowledge of regulatory codes and industry standards (49 CFR 192, ASME B31.8, etc.).

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

• Primarily office‑based work.
• Potential exposure to moving mechanical parts, fumes, airborne particles, chemicals, varying outdoor weather, excessive noise, and construction activities.
• Occasional prolonged standing, walking, reaching above shoulder level, bending, kneeling, crouching, or crawling.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lb.
• Occasional local and overnight travel.
• Keyboarding required for approximately 40 %–60 % of daily tasks.

Benefits

Southern Company offers a comprehensive total‑rewards strategy that includes a 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. Additional compensation such as incentive program awards may be available, subject to plan terms.

Company Overview

Southern Company Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), serves approximately 4.2 million natural‑gas utility customers in four states and about 600 000 retail customers through its marketing businesses. The broader Southern Company serves 9 million customers across the Southeast, providing electric, natural‑gas, generation, distributed‑energy solutions, fiber‑optic, and telecommunications services. The company is committed to clean, safe, reliable, and affordable energy, innovation, resilience, sustainability, and a net‑zero greenhouse‑gas goal by 2050.