Job Description

Hydro Controls Engineer / Specialist
SCS, Technical Shared Services - I&C Field Support

WORK LOCATION, SCHEDULE, & TRAVEL

• This position is flexible to be based out of either Birmingham, AL (The Energy Center) or Atlanta, GA (GPC Headquarters).
• Work schedule (in-office, field and telecommute); currently four (4) days in-office and one (1) day telecommute (subject to adjustment).
• This position will require a mixture of both field and office work.
• Extensive travel in Georgia, and in some cases Alabama, to the various hydroelectric plants is required, including some overnight travel and some travel on short notice.
• This position will require some travel (days and overnight – if you live in Atlanta, up to 25%; if you live in Birmingham, up to 50%).
• Periodic state side travel may be required for factory acceptance tests and shop inspections.
• Relocation assistance may be provided if the successful candidate does not currently live within a reasonable commute distance.

This position is responsible for supporting the plant engineering needs for Southern Company’s hydroelectric power plants, primarily within Georgia Power but occasionally supporting hydro plants in Alabama Power. This position interfaces with plant operators/hydro journeymen, superintendents, and managers to identify, troubleshoot, and solve hydro plant operations and maintenance issues. I&C engineers will be heavily involved in the Hydro Modernization program and have primary technical responsibility for the I&C scope of work for Modernization projects.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering (ABET accredited) or related technical degree
• Associate degree in Engineering Technology, Industrial Controls, or related technical degree

Experience:

• Minimum three (3) years of experience working with Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) and/or Distributed Control System (DCS) is required.
• Experience working in an industrial setting is required.
• Previous power plant experience is highly desired.
• Experience working on large industrial projects supporting start-up, engineering, construction, and project management.
• Experience working on project teams in various roles (design, technical support, project engineer, etc.).
• Knowledge of control system design (DCS or PLC systems, Ovation experience strongly preferred)
• Basic knowledge of networking design and troubleshooting is preferred
• Knowledge of networking protocols such as Modbus TCP/IP, Modbus Serial, DNP3, OPC, Profibus, Allen Bradley (A-B) Ethernet, etc) is required.
• Knowledge of industry cyber security best practices including physical and electronic access controls is desirable.
• Operational Technology (OT) and Windows Server administration, including Active Directory, OS patching, and anti-malware are desired.
• Knowledge of instrumentation design (temperature, level, pressure, flow, vibration, position, and speed measurement) is required

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

This position has cradle to grave responsibility for small and large projects, working with hydro plant personnel to: identify problem, develop viable solutions, assess options and select solution, find relevant vendors, and provide technical direction for installation and commissioning. Project management duties for small projects can be the responsibility of this position.

For larger projects, this position will work on a multidisciplinary team serving as a I&C Subject Matter Expert (SME). In this role, the position would be responsible for writing or reviewing specifications, reviewing logic and graphic design, reviewing electrical design pertaining to control system, reviewing mechanical design pertaining to instrumentation and process control, providing drawings to contract partners, reviewing design drawings from internal or external groups, and providing technical support for demo, installation, and commissioning. This position would also interface with, provide support for, and attend meetings scheduled for these larger projects.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS (KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS)

• Knowledge of medium voltage switchgear
• Knowledge of DC power systems 125VDC to 24VDC
• Basic knowledge of Generator and Excitation system operation is desirable
• Basic knowledge of mechanical systems in hydroelectric power plants is desired: pumps, piping systems, heat exchangers, rolling element and fluid film bearings
• Basic knowledge of machine design as it relates to turbine and generator assembly and disassembly is desirable.
• Basic knowledge of hydroelectric turbines is desirable
• Knowledge of formal root cause analysis process is desirable

Skills:

• Ability to review operational data to identify trends.
• Ability to identify missing data from drawings that are pertinent to design and document for future use
• Ability to inspect control systems for condition assessment.
• Ability to read, review, and mark-up physical and schematic drawings is required.
• Strong troubleshooting skills are required.
• Ability to handle multiple projects of various priorities at once is required.
• Project management skills are desirable.
• Ability to build relationships across departments and organizations is required.
• Strong Microsoft Office (for I/O database management) skills are required.
• Strong written and oral communications skills are required.
• Ability to write and review detailed technical specifications is desirable.
• Ability to communicate with all levels of organization, from union-represented plant employees to executives is required.
• Ability to be comfortable making timely decisions even without all information.

Additional job duties expected of this job:

• Attend industry conferences and technical meetings as needed
• Perform factory acceptance tests.
• Perform shop inspections of witness or hold points prior to equipment shipment.
• Write or modify existing specifications for control systems, hydroelectric turbines, oil systems, compressors, bearings, HPU, coolers, and instrumentation.
• Assist Hydro management with Capital and O&M budgeting process by providing budgetary estimates, project durations, and project cash flows.
• Provide support for O&M strategy (spare parts, calibration frequencies, and preventive maintenance)
• Provide technical input in support of procurement organization contract negotiations.
• Must be comfortable working in an operating power plant, often during construction or outage related activities, occasionally in confined spaces.

BENEFITS

• Competitive Pay
• Excellent benefits packages which includes:
  • Medical and dental coverage
  • Defined Pension/Cash Balance Benefit Plan
  • Performance-sharing plan
  • 401(k) plan with a generous company match
  • Bonus opportunities
  • Tuition Reimbursement

***Please submit an updated resume with your application***

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.