Project Engineer

Travel up to 50% of the time. Work location will be in any of the Distribution Operations Headquarters within the Distribution Area supported, primarily in the Metro Atlanta area.

About the Role

The Project Engineer will support distribution workload and engineering development, partnering closely with the Distribution Area’s team. Engineers will be located within the local regions they support but will also assist other areas across the state as needed.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a subject matter expert for their region and the main point of contact for other functions and departments.
• Provide technical stability and support for the Distribution Areas on large industrial and commercial projects, Customer Choice, and other complex and high-profile distribution design projects.
• Functionalize project management for large projects and critical customer projects.
• Support distribution area engineering training and operations efforts.
• Manage distribution area project engineering and large capital and O&M projects.
• Act as the primary distribution area contact for inquiries, engineering, coordination, and execution of Distribution Planning Group solution projects.
• Leverage relationships with multiple functions and teams (e.g., External Affairs, Network Underground, Transmission, Renewables, EV/ET) and Utility Services to design engineering solutions to meet customer needs.
• Serve as the distribution area engineering contact for Transmission and Customer Choice Projects.
• Provide technical support and training to region engineers, including assisting with projects that have significant political, customer service, or system impact.
• Provide operational assistance and training to region engineers.
• Identify and develop engineered solutions for shelf-ready capital and system improvement jobs for the distribution area.
• Provide technical support for region interconnections and large motor loads to ensure the integrity of the distribution system.
• Partner with customers and the EPQ team to identify behind-the-meter solutions.
• Act as the primary region contact for Asset Management activities.
• Provide oversight and support for managing region Capital and O&M budgets.
• Work closely with the Reliability Engineer to investigate and initiate corrective action for reliability issues (e.g., 10-hour reports, CEMI reporting, Morning reports), PSC Requests, politically sensitive and critical customers across the region.
• Analyze outage management system data, SCADA data, and metering data to determine root causes impacting distribution reliability.
• Develop presentations to present projects and status updates to management and other partners, as needed.
• Support local Distribution Areas and the Storm Center during storm restoration efforts, including participation in local region SERP plans and the Storm Center.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Math, or Science OR
• Professional Engineer's License (PE) in lieu of the above bachelor's degree OR
• 15+ years of demonstrated, strong technical experience in Distribution-Field Operations.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years as Sr Engineer, Sr Engineering Associate, or minimum 5 years as Engineering Rep Sr in an operating headquarters (experience must be in Distribution-Field Operations).
• For external candidates with no engineering experience in Distribution-Field Operations at any operating company, a minimum of 10 years of experience in distribution field engineering is preferred.
• At least one of the following preferred work experiences:
  • At least two years of Metro and non-Metro experience.
  • At least two years in another functional area (transmission, sales, distribution, generation, etc.).
  • At least two years of experience with another OPCO company.
  • At least two years of experience in a Corporate Distribution staff role.

Skills

• Extensive knowledge of electrical system operations, distribution systems, underground and overhead construction practices.
• Extensive knowledge of Georgia Power’s distribution design philosophies, Distribution Bulletins, the Engineering Handbook, and other relevant Company guidelines.
• Proven record of dealing effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Influencer and champion for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, through words and actions.
• Demonstrated ability to recognize high-profile opportunities and respond as needed without prompting.
• Prior experience in writing and executing switching orders.
• Knowledge of MS Office products and other related engineering software systems.
• Demonstrated skill with Distribution Management Systems (JETS, Designer/GIS, CSS, Socket, DistView, TCMS Web, NMS 2.3 or 2.6, Job Scheduling, and DisIntel/OUA).
• Extensive knowledge of the Franchise Manual, Distribution Bulletins, Distribution Operating Procedures, and the Consistency Manual.
• Prior experience traveling with and leading storm teams, including off-system.
• Excellent project management skills that lead to desired results.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet strict deadlines.
• Ability to work with customers and others as a team member.
• Must be able to effectively communicate and build positive relationships with region leadership, customers, engineers, customer service, sales, corporate partners, and line crew personnel.
• Proven effective oral and written communication skills.

Other Requirements

• Must be available for emergency assistance after work hours, weekends, and extended out-of-town storm duty.
• Must be available for "on-call" rotation.
• Must exhibit behavior consistent with company values: Safety First, Unquestionable Trust, Superior Performance, Total Commitment.
• Positive attitude and strong customer focus.
• Self-motivated and directed.
• Must have at least one year of verifiable driving experience as a licensed driver (must hold a valid driver’s license for the class vehicle to be operated).
• Must have no revocation of driving privileges within the 36 months prior to application, no convictions of major traffic violations (DUI, hit and run, reckless driving, etc.) within the 12 months prior to application, or any pending charges for a major traffic violation at the time of application.
• Must consent to continuous monitoring of your Motor Vehicle Record.

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. A summary of benefits can be found here.