Substation Control Design – Engineer/Designer (Birmingham, AL)

Southern Company • Birmingham, AL

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Substation Control Design Engineer/Designer designs protective relay and control schemes for greenfield and brownfield substation projects using AutoCAD and advanced microprocessor-based relay systems. The role also specifies and procures materials for substation design packages, including stock, shop-fabricated, and non-stock items, and prepares and transmits drawing packages and supporting specifications through the Transmission Engineering job transmittal program.

The position is based at The Energy Center in Birmingham, Alabama, and requires approximately 25% travel to surrounding areas of Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia. Site visits may include pre-engineering, pre-construction, and post-job evaluation meetings, and some overnight travel is required. Relocation assistance may be provided to candidates who do not live within a reasonable commuting distance.

The role supports substation design and construction through coordination with cross-functional teams, vendors, manufacturers, and internal stakeholders. It provides support to Substation Construction, Field Services, Project Management, and Substation Maintenance, while contributing to Southern Company's design criteria and standardization efforts and storm restoration activities. The employee is expected to prioritize safety, follow quality assurance guidelines and design standards, manage multiple projects effectively, and demonstrate Southern Company's behavioral values.

Requirements

• Proficiency using Microsoft Office products.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to explain technical issues simply.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a self-starter attitude.
• Ability to work well in a team and develop relationships at all levels.
• Effective time management and organizational skills to manage multiple projects, priorities, and competing deadlines.
• Customer focus and willingness to meet customer needs and solicit feedback.
• Degree or relevant experience in at least one of these areas: bachelor's degree in electrical engineering; bachelor's degree in electrical engineering technology; associate degree with at least 5 years of relevant design experience; or no degree with at least 8 years of relevant design or utility experience.

Nice To Haves

• Substation protective relay testing, control scheme testing, and commissioning experience.
• Experience using Autodesk Suite, including AutoCAD Electrical, or higher.
• Understanding of substation protection and control scheme operation.
• Ability to create Substation Control Design drawings from a single-line wiring diagram.
• Experience in Transmission and/or Distribution Substation Operations at an electric power utility company.
• Experience in Substation Engineering, Field Services, Switchboard Wiring, Power Delivery, Substation Maintenance, or Substation Construction.
• Experience with document management and estimating systems such as TEAMS, STOMP, MAXIMO, or SCST Vault.
• Understanding of utility electric grid operations.
• Knowledge of basic electrical power system theory.

Responsibilities

• Prioritize safety and lead by example.
• Follow Quality Assurance guidelines to produce high-quality design packages for new substations and modifications to existing substations in accordance with Southern Company design standards.
• Provide guidance on Southern Company design standards, procedures, and processes.
• Design protective relay and control schemes in AutoCAD using microprocessor-based relay systems for greenfield and brownfield projects.
• Specify and order stock, shop-fabricated, and non-stock materials for substation design packages.
• Transmit drawing packages and supporting specifications using the Transmission Engineering job transmittal program.
• Collaborate and coordinate with cross-functional teams involved in Substation Design.
• Work with manufacturers, vendors, and Southern Company committee members to resolve equipment and material issues.
• Support Substation Construction, Field Services, Project Management, and Substation Maintenance.
• Conduct project site visits, including pre-engineering, pre-construction, and post-job evaluation meetings; some overnight travel is required.
• Support Southern Company's design criteria and standardization effort.
• Manage multiple projects and tasks, set priorities, and use effective time management and organizational skills to achieve project and team goals.
• Support Southern Company storm restoration efforts.
• Model company values, take responsibility for projects and customer issues, follow through on assignments, promote an inclusive work environment, and emphasize operational excellence and human performance concepts.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary.
• Annual incentive awards for eligible employees.
• Health, welfare, and retirement benefits intended to support physical, financial, and emotional/social well-being.
• The position may be eligible for additional compensation, such as an incentive program; bonus or award amounts are subject to applicable plan terms.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed