Substation Designer/Engineer

Southern Company Services Technical Shared Services – Substation Engineering

Opening located in Birmingham, AL

This posting is to fill a full time Physical Designer/Engineer position within our Substation Physical Design group. The Designer/Engineer can be filled as an exempt level 3-6, based on background experience and education of the successful candidate.

JOB DESCRIPTION

This position is responsible for the design of Southern Company’s Transmission and Distribution Substations. The Designer/Engineer will produce engineering drawings, specifications, and material requirements for substation projects with emphasis on safety, quality, scheduling, and costs. The successful candidate will be required to travel (approximately 25%) and the ability to work successfully in a remote/virtual environment with access to internet service. This position will be located in Birmingham, AL at the Energy Center. Relocation assistance may be provided if the successful candidate does not currently live within a reasonable commute distance.

MAJOR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Prepare high quality design packages needed to construct (new or modify existing) substations using CAD-based tools, based on Southern Company design standards.

• Design the physical aspects of substations, including but not limited to, Foundation Layouts, Grounding Layouts, Conduit Layouts, Control House Layouts, Section Drawings, Electrical Bus Design, etc. Specify, order, and provide approval drawings for non-stock materials, as well as inventorying stock materials and shop fabricated materials for substation design packages. Transmit drawing packages and supporting specifications into SCST Vault using the Physical Substation Transmittal Packages Manual.

• Make SAFETY our number one priority using a “Safety First” mentality and leading by example.

• Coordinate and communicate with other design disciplines associated with the Substation Physical Design project.

• Provide Quality Assurance reviews as required, technical trainings and provide developmental feedback to internal designer/engineers

• Interact with manufacturers, vendors, and Southern Company committee members to resolve equipment and material issues.

• Provide support to Substation Construction, Field Services, Project Management and Substation Maintenance.

• Perform site visits for projects, including pre-construction meetings, during construction and post-construction. Some overnight travel will be required.

• Participate in substation design review meetings.

• Support Southern Company’s design criteria and standardization effort.

• Handling multiple tasks simultaneously, setting priorities, and using effective time management and organizational skills to achieve project team goals.

• Serve as part of a storm restoration team when requested after storm events, predominately, but not limited to the Southern Company service territory.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Civil Engineering (Engineer)

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering Technology (Designer)

• Associate Degree with minimum 5 years relevant industry experience (Designer)

• No Degree with minimum 8 years relevant industry experience (Designer)

Experience

• Strong understanding of substation equipment is preferred.

• Ability to create Substation Physical Design drawings from a single line diagram is preferred.

• Strong understanding of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Standards, National Electric Safety Code, National Electric Code, and OSHA safe operating practices is preferred.

• AutoCAD training, experience, or certification is required.

• Experience using 3D modeling software (SDS Inventor, Autodesk Inventor, Autodesk 3D or P4A) is preferred.

• Experience in Transmission &/or Distribution Substation Operations for an electric power utility company is preferred.

• Experience in the field of Substation Engineering, Field Services, Switchboard Wiring, Power Delivery, Substation Maintenance, or Substation Construction is preferred.

• Experience working with document management & estimating systems such as Transmission Estimating and Management System (TEAMS), STOMP, MAXIMO, SCST Vault is preferred.

• Experience providing Quality Assurance reviews for design packages is a plus.

• Proficiency using Microsoft Office products is required.

• Ability to be an effective mentor to others and teach job-related skills.

• Good understanding of utility electric grid operations is preferred.

• Knowledge of basic electrical power system theory is preferred.

• Southern Company design experience preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Must demonstrate excellent communication skills (oral & written) and the ability to communicate technical issues simply.

• Must be a self-starter and exhibit strong problem-solving skills.

• Must work well in a team environment and have the ability to develop and build relationships at all levels.

• Must possess effective time management and organizational skills sufficient to manage multiple projects with various priorities and competing deadlines.

• Must demonstrate a customer focus with a willingness to meet the needs of our customers and solicit feedback.

BEHAVIORAL ATTRIBUTES

• Model Our Values : Safety First, Intentional Inclusion, Act with Integrity, and Superior Performance.

• Conduct all activities with a focus on providing value to our customers.

• Take personal responsibility for their projects and customer issues.

• Follow through on all aspects of assignments to ensure a quality product and increased value is delivered to our customers.

• Exhibit and promote a positive, "can do" attitude.

• Commitment as a team member to building and maintaining an Inclusive work environment.

• Must place strong emphasis on Operational Excellence (mistake free designs).

• Must understand and practice Human Performance Concepts.

BENEFITS

• Competitive Pay

• Flex Schedule

• Excellent benefits packages which includes:

• Medical and dental coverage

• Defined Pension/Cash Balance Benefit Plan

• Performance-sharing plan

• 401(k) plan with a generous company match

• Bonus opportunities

• Tuition Reimbursement

*Please submit an updated resume with your application*

Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million residential and commercial customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. Providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy with excellent service is our mission. The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy infrastructure company with national capabilities, a fiber optics network, and telecommunications services. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, resilience, and sustainability, we are taking action to meet our customers’ and communities’ needs while advancing our commitment to net zero emissions by 2050. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and are the key to our sustained success. We are transforming energy into economic, environmental and social progress for tomorrow. Our corporate culture and hiring practices have earned the company national awards and recognition from numerous organizations, including Forbes, Military Times, DiversityInc, Black Enterprise, J.D. Power, Fortune, Human Rights Campaign and more. To learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com.

Southern Company is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Job Identification: 5440

Job Category: Engineering

Job Schedule: Full time

Company: Southern Company Services