Transmission Planning Engineer (Equipment Application Emphasis)

Transmission Planning Engineer (Equipment Application Emphasis)

Overview

This is one of the most exciting and dynamic times in recent history for the power industry, especially in the Southeast. We are experiencing rapid residential and commercial growth in the region, resulting in the need to grow our Transmission Planning team. Energy growth for Georgia alone is projected to be an additional 6,600 MW through 2030. You'll get to be part of this unprecedented growth, leveraging leading-edge software modeling tools to develop and grow our region's energy infrastructure. Check out this link if you want to delve into those details! Georgia Power's 2023 Integrated Resource Plan Update supports Georgia's extraordinary economic growth

Our Transmission Planning organization encompasses all aspects of planning the transmission system for our subsidiary retail electric utilities in Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi. This includes expertise in numerous areas such as steady-state and dynamic power system analysis, power quality and transient analysis, load modeling and base case development, annual transmission expansion plan development, reliability standards compliance, economic development transmission service evaluations, OATT transmission service requests, generator interconnection and designation studies, generation RFP procurements, unit retirement and new build evaluations, regional planning and coordination with external utilities, interface analysis, GMD analysis, transmission policy and regulatory, industry committee leadership, and tools and technology innovation. While each group within transmission planning has a targeted function, we foster an environment of cross-functional teamwork and collaboration and are committed to working with our employees on career and personal development in multiple areas of their interest. As a vertically integrated utility, we also have the unique opportunity to work closely with teams from across our organization in all the major business sectors.

Job Description

This position is best suited for an individual desiring a technical career path responsible for leading and performing power system technical studies in support of various groups within Southern Company. The group provides the ideal environment for power system engineers to pursue advanced academic degrees (e.g., master's and/or PhD.) due to exposure to a wide range of power system subjects, including unique emerging technologies encountered in the modern electric utility industry.

The team is expanding its capabilities and expertise in equipment application from a transient's perspective. The successful candidate will provide study support and leadership in this area, and be part of a team that performs switching transient analyses (capacitor bank, transformer, shunt reactor, line, etc.), insulation coordination studies, post-event (root cause) analyses, and other special technical studies as required to support Southern Company and the Operating Companies.

The successful candidate will collaborate with multiple groups including other teams within System Planning, Transmission Control Centers, Research and Development, Operating Company Power Delivery and Generation departments, neighboring transmission systems, etc. The position will also be responsible for presenting study results to senior leadership, management, and internal and external customers for information and support.

Primary Job Responsibilities

• Conduct or lead transient studies (switching transient, insulation coordination, etc.).
• Analyze transient modeling and study practices and provide recommendations to address modeling and study issues.
• Represent Southern Company on applicable industry committees in a technical leadership role to provide guidance and ensure Sothern Company's business needs are being met.
• Perform electromagnetic transient (EMT) power system studies using PSCAD or EMTP.
• Engage with equipment manufacturers, national laboratories, research institutions, and other industry groups.
• Prepare engineering analysis, studies, and technical reports. Develop guidelines or other technical documents as needed.
• Collaborate with peers and industry to understand impacts of emerging technologies and support the reliable integration of these technologies.
• Review, organize, and analyze study results to ensure product accuracy.
• Coordinate with others in System Planning to develop innovative and cost-effective solutions.
• Participate in regional and national organizations which are shaping the technical and regulatory policies such as NERC and SERC Working Groups/Task Forces, EPRI research initiatives, IEEE Standard development efforts, etc.
• Perform other technical studies, as requested, in support of Southern Company and the Operating Companies.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from an ABET-accredited institution is required.
• Advanced degree (master's and/or PhD.) in Electrical Engineering with electric power systems emphasis is a plus.

Work Experience

• Experience in at least one of the following technical areas is required: 1) Performing Transmission Planning stability studies, 2) Performing Transmission Planning steady state studies, 3) Performing power quality, switchgear application, transient voltage phenomena, or other equipment application studies that required advanced power system modeling and techniques, such as electromagnetic transient (EMT) studies, 4) Applying protection and control systems, developing protective relay settings, and/or performing short-circuit analysis 5) Converter-based resource control design.
• General knowledge of transmission planning, electrical equipment, power system protection and control, and BPS operations
• Understanding of electromagnetic transient phenomena in the BPS, including analysis, recognition, and mitigation
• Understanding of modeling techniques, including positive sequence and electromagnetic modeling tools such as PSCAD or EMTP-RV, etc
• Knowledge of industry standards (e.g., IEEE, etc.)
• Experience with modeling power system-connected equipment and components for switching transient and/or insulation coordination studies is a plus
• Experience conducting root cause analysis to address transient and/or insulation coordination issues is a plus

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

A successful candidate will have:

• The ability to independently analyze and resolve technical problems.
• Strong analytical skills and a drive to solve complex engineering problems.
• The ability to tailor technical communications for diverse audiences including workgroups, partners, and customers.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for internal and external (e.g., IEEE, NERC, SERC) meetings and presentations as well as development of papers and technical reports.
• The ability to work well in a team environment (both in-person and virtual).
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers and customers.
• Values teamwork and works effectively in a team environment across multiple business functions.
• A mindset that is self-motivated, results-oriented, and innovative.
• Strong attention to detail and motivation for high quality, accuracy, and timeliness.
• Strong time management and organizational skills required to balance multiple projects simultaneously and adhere to deadlines.
• Ability to prioritize work effectively, exercise sound judgment, and accurately complete multiple tasks with limited oversight.
• Knowledge of electrical theory/electrical characteristics of network transmission systems.
• The skills to continually review technical and industry literature to stay abreast of industry changes, technological advances, and new areas of transmission planning business opportunity.
• Strong customer focus.

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 ;br>
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: 8164

Job Category: Engineering

Job Schedule: Full time

Company: Southern Company Services

Employers have access to artificial intelligence language tools (“AI”) that help generate and enhance job descriptions and AI may have been used to create this description. The position description has been reviewed for accuracy and Dice believes it to correctly reflect the job opportunity.