Designer/Engineer – Substation Engineering Contractor Oversight

Southern Company • Forest Park, GA

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Designer/Engineer – Substation Engineering Contractor Oversight position oversees the engineering, design, and coordination of substation projects completed by external design engineering firms. The work focuses on substation control design, including protection and control schematics, wiring diagrams, and panel layouts. The Designer/Engineer reviews design packages for quality, provides technical guidance and performance feedback to engineering firms, and coordinates with internal departments and external partners to address project needs.

The role includes a mix of office and field work at the Forest Park General Services Headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. Field work may involve visits to project locations before, during, and after construction, and some overnight travel is required. Relocation assistance may be provided for a successful candidate who does not live within a reasonable commuting distance. The position may also provide support to a storm restoration team after major storm events in Southern Company’s service territory.

Requirements

• For the Engineer pathway: a bachelor's degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited program.
• For the Designer pathway: a bachelor's degree in engineering technology, or an associate degree with at least five years of relevant experience, or no degree with at least eight years of relevant experience.
• Knowledge of electrical power system theory and protection and control principles.
• Ability to read and interpret substation control schematics and wiring diagrams.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to explain technical issues simply.
• Self-starter with strong problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team and build relationships at all levels.
• Effective time-management and organizational skills to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines.
• Customer focus and willingness to meet customer needs and solicit feedback.
• Ability to mentor others and teach job-related skills.

Nice To Haves

• Substation control design or field experience, such as protection and control schematics, wiring diagrams, or panel layouts.
• Control design experience in other industrial or commercial settings, such as instrumentation and controls or plant or facility electrical controls, when accompanied by experience overseeing engineering or design contractors.
• Experience in Protection & Control Design, Field Services, or Switchboard Panel quality assurance.
• Experience conducting quality assurance reviews of control design packages.
• Experience mentoring and providing performance feedback.
• Experience using AutoCAD Electrical.
• Experience in Transmission and/or Distribution Substation Operations for an electric power utility company.
• Project Management experience.
• Experience with document management and estimating systems such as TEAMS, STOMP, MAXIMO, or SCST Vault.
• Good understanding of utility electric grid operations.

Responsibilities

• Make safety the number one priority and lead by example.
• Provide oversight, technical assistance, and expertise to external engineering firms on substation control design, standards, and tools.
• Conduct quality assurance reviews of substation control design packages, assist with resource scheduling, and provide developmental feedback to engineering firms.
• Coordinate and communicate with other departments associated with Substation Design.
• Work with manufacturers, vendors, and Southern Company subject matter experts to resolve equipment and material issues.
• Support Substation Construction, Field Services, Project Management, and Substation Maintenance.
• Conduct project site visits for pre-engineering or pre-construction meetings, during construction, and after construction as required; provide project expertise and evaluate contractor performance.
• Participate in substation design review meetings.
• Support Southern Company’s design criteria and standardization effort.
• Manage multiple tasks, set priorities, and use effective time management and organizational skills to help achieve project team goals.
• Provide assistance as part of a storm restoration team after major storm events in the Southern Company service territory.
• Model company values, provide customer value, take responsibility for projects and customer issues, follow through on assignments, promote a positive attitude, support an inclusive work environment, emphasize operational excellence, and practice Human Performance Concepts.

Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Medical coverage
• Dental coverage
• Defined benefit/cash balance pension plan
• Performance-sharing plan
• 401(k) plan with a generous company match
• Bonus opportunities
• Tuition reimbursement
• Relocation assistance may be provided if the successful candidate does not live within a reasonable commuting distance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time