Engineer, Load & Generation Siting – Transmission Expansion Planning

Southern Company • Birmingham, AL

1d

About The Position

The Engineer, Load & Generation Siting supports Transmission Expansion Planning by conducting systemwide transmission analyses for company-owned generation development and retail load interconnections across the electric operating companies APC, GPC, and MPC. The role primarily performs steady-state power flow analysis and develops transmission solutions to enable reliable, economic, and timely integration of new generation resources and customer loads.

The engineer evaluates transmission impacts associated with large customer load additions, generation sites, industrial developments, data centers, and other emerging customer needs. Studies identify system constraints, determine infrastructure requirements, estimate costs, and develop expansion alternatives that support speed to service and system reliability while considering costs and impacts. The role collaborates with teams across Integrated Grid Planning, Resource Planning, Generation Development, Business Development, Project Management, Transmission Operations, and external customers to assess and integrate future load and generation growth.

The position can be primarily located in Birmingham, Alabama, or Atlanta, Georgia, and requires limited travel between those locations. The engineer develops practical transmission solutions that balance customer needs, operational requirements, regulatory obligations, and long-term value.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from an ABET-accredited institution; pending graduates will be considered.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Effective communication, organization, and coordination skills.
• Ability to evaluate complex study results, communicate technical information to diverse audiences, and build consensus to guide informed decisions.
• Clear and effective documentation skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, databases, and AI technologies.
• Self-motivated, results-oriented, collaborative, adaptable, analytical, and detail-oriented approach.
• Strong customer focus and commitment to process improvement, training, and mentoring others.
• Ability to work with multiple stakeholders and adapt to change and less established processes.

Nice To Haves

• Electrical Engineering degree preferred.
• Master’s degree in engineering or business desirable.
• Professional Engineering License desirable.
• Transmission planning experience, including electrical power system modeling and analysis, preferred.
• Experience in generation development, procurement, and resource planning desirable.
• Experience in bulk power operations or commercial operations desirable.
• Experience in transmission design, maintenance, and protection and controls desirable.
• Experience in transmission project management, estimating, and scheduling desirable.
• Experience in transmission policy and services desirable.
• Experience in any area of power delivery desirable.
• Power system analysis experience with common industry tools such as PSS/E and TARA.
• 8760 nodal analysis experience with common industry tools such as PowerGem Probe.
• Power utility industry acumen concerning current issues, reliability, and regulation.
• Exhibits Southern Company’s “Our Values.”

Responsibilities

• Conduct transmission evaluations for large customer load interconnections, economic development projects, data centers, industrial facilities, and other customer growth opportunities.
• Perform transmission planning studies supporting siting opportunities for company-owned generation, including solar, battery energy storage, thermal generation, and nuclear.
• Develop transmission solution alternatives and estimate infrastructure requirements, costs, and implementation timelines.
• Coordinate with internal planning groups, project development teams, operations teams, and business development teams.
• Support Integrated Grid Planning, Generation Procurement activities, and strategic growth initiatives through transmission analysis and technical guidance.
• Communicate study assumptions, methodologies, results, and recommendations to technical and executive audiences.
• Maintain compliance with applicable planning criteria, reliability standards, and company processes while ensuring recommended solutions provide long-term value to customers.
• Engage in related industry committees and initiatives.
• Prioritize and proactively pursue training and development.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time