Project Development Engineer (PDE) Data Center Design and Construction

Southern Company • Greenville, NC

114d

About The Position

The Project Development Engineer (PDE) serves as a technical resource for the Data Center Solutions team, supporting pre-sale project scoping, system design, and technical proposal development for mission-critical electrical infrastructure. The PDE provides engineering and application expertise to align proposed designs with customer intent, applicable codes, and operational requirements. This role focuses on data center electrical and mechanical infrastructure — including medium-voltage switchgear, low-voltage distribution, UPS, battery systems, generators, and mechanical integration — ensuring robust, scalable, and cost-effective solutions. The PDE remains involved post-award as a system-level engineering support resource to the project management and implementation teams. Our team thrives in a collaborative and learning-focused environment. We believe in hiring individuals with strong foundations and a desire to grow — offering mentorship, shared expertise, and support to help each team member reach their full potential. Many of our engineers cite this supportive culture and commitment to learning as one of the best parts of working here.

Requirements

• BS in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in data center, power generation, or critical infrastructure design, or as an electrical application/development engineer in related industries.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD (preferred), Revit, or similar design platforms.
• Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Office and ERP tools.
• Ability to develop conceptual and schematic design packages (e.g., single-line diagrams, layouts, riser diagrams, PUE/energy models).
• Strong understanding of data center electrical systems including medium-voltage distribution (5-38kV), low-voltage switchgear, PDU, and RPP systems, UPS and battery energy storage systems, standby generator and paralleling switchgear, automatic transfer systems and mechanical interfaces.
• Familiarity with ASHRAE TC9.9, Uptime Institute tiers, and data center cooling topologies.
• Proficiency in NEC, IEEE, NFPA 70E, and IEC standards relevant to mission-critical environments.
• Working knowledge of power system studies (SKM, ETAP) — short circuit, coordination, arc flash.
• Ability to interpret specifications and drawings to define project scope, schedule, risk, and deliverables.
• Experience with utility coordination, interconnection studies, and redundancy design (N+1, 2N) a plus.
• Demonstrated skills in cost estimation, proposal development, and vendor technical evaluation.
• Strong strategic and analytical thinking, attention to detail, and process orientation.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills; ability to interact with clients, contractors, and internal teams.
• Passion for contributing to a fast-paced, high-growth engineering environment focused on energy resiliency and data center innovation.

Responsibilities

• Develop technical scopes, budgets, and conceptual designs during pre-sales development.
• Collaborate with Sales, Product Engineering, Construction Engineer or Outside Engineer of Record, Manufacturing, and Estimating to ensure project alignment.
• Prepare technical narratives, equipment selections, and basis-of-design documentation.
• Support customer and consultant engagement, including design review meetings and technical presentations.
• Review specifications, vendor submittals, and drawings for compliance.
• Provide post-sale technical support to Project Managers and field teams.
• Maintain familiarity with emerging technologies (liquid cooling, modular data centers, microgrids).
• Travel occasionally to client sites and partner facilities.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Utilities
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree