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

Southern Company•Birmingham, AL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Substation Control Design Engineer/Designer works in Southern Company Services Technical Shared Services – Substation Engineering and is based at The Energy Center in Birmingham, Alabama. The role designs protective relay and control schemes for greenfield and brownfield substation projects using AutoCAD and microprocessor-based relay systems. It also specifies and procures materials for substation design packages and prepares and transmits drawing packages and supporting specifications through the Transmission Engineering job transmittal program. The position requires approximately 25% travel to surrounding areas of Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia, including some overnight travel. Relocation assistance may be provided to candidates who do not live within a reasonable commuting distance. The role supports substation design, construction, field services, project management, maintenance, and storm restoration, while upholding Southern Company safety, quality, standardization, and operational excellence practices.

Requirements

Proficiency with 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 effectively 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 experience in at least one of the following: a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering; a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering technology; an 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.
Model the stated values of Safety First, Intentional Inclusion, Act with Integrity, and Superior Performance; take responsibility for projects and customer issues, follow through on assignments, maintain a positive attitude, support an inclusive work environment, and practice Human Performance Concepts.

Nice To Haves

Substation protective relay testing, control scheme testing, and commissioning experience.
Experience using the 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 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.
Good understanding of utility electric grid operations.
Knowledge of basic electrical power system theory.

Responsibilities

Prioritize safety and lead by example with a “Safety First” mentality.
Follow Quality Assurance guidelines and prepare high-quality design packages for new or modified 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.
Support Southern Company design criteria and standardization efforts.
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.