Transmission Planning – Modeling & Support Engineer
Department Overview
This a transformational time for Southern Company and the power industry as we plan for the future of energy for the benefit of our customers and communities. Transmission planning plays a critical role in Southern Company’s success by continuously developing a reliable, strategic, and resilient transmission grid that meets the needs of our future.
At Southern Company, our transmission planning organization encompasses all aspects of planning the transmission system for our subsidiary retail electric utilities in Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi. While each group within transmission planning has a targeted function, we foster an environment of cross-functional teamwork and collaboration and are committed to providing our employees opportunities for career growth and personal development. In Transmission Planning, we work closely with teams from across the company in all the major business sectors, as well as external utilities and industry committees.
Position Details
We currently have an engineer position available in the TP-Modeling and Support team.
The Modeling and Support team is responsible for power flow model development, technology innovation, system support studies and departmental training. This position will assist with coordinating the modeling efforts of the Transmission Planning department and developing the base cases, which are the basis for all work within Transmission Planning. The team manages the efforts for ensuring that generation, topology, loads and external interfaces are modeled correctly in the base cases and develops models at local, regional and national levels.
The team is also responsible for the software development of all internal departmental tools and works very closely with the Technology Organization. The team manages training efforts for the organization and assists with compliance efforts related to NERC, SERC, and Southern Company transmission planning criteria. The engineer will have the opportunity to work on a variety of study types and processes that are relevant to current industry activities and impactful to future business decisions being made by Southern Company and the Operating Companies.
The successful candidate must be able work closely with multiple groups (e.g., other Transmission Planning teams, the Technology Organization, Bulk Power Operations, Resource Planning, Operating Company Transmission and Generation departments, etc.) to meet common objectives.
Job Responsibilities
- Coordinate development of power-flow models which are the starting point for all Transmission Planning work.
- Perform power system analysis using industry standard software (e.g. PSSE, TARA).
- Assist in the development of innovative, and cost-effective software solutions.
- Develop engineering reports, guidelines, or other technical documents.
- Effectively present informative reports and presentations to internal and external customers at various management levels related to system constraints and required improvement projects.
- Coordinate with multiple groups and internal customers within Southern Company and the Operating Companies.
- Participate in industry committees and initiatives.
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science or engineering is required.
Work Experience
- Experience in electric utility transmission (e.g., Transmission Planning, Transmission Operations, Transmission Design) is desired.
- Experience in computer modeling and analysis is a plus.
- Experience in software development is a plus.
Skills and Knowledge
- Prior exposure to PSS/E and computer modeling of electrical power systems is preferred, but not required
- Working knowledge of programming languages (e.g., Python, C#) and/or visualization tools (e.g., PowerBI)
- Ability to identify process improvements strongly preferred
- Strong time management and organizational skills required to balance multiple projects simultaneously and adhere to deadlines
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Ability to effectively present complex topics
- Proficient with Microsoft Office applications and databases
Behavioral Attributes
- Self-motivated, results-oriented, and innovative
- Analytical and detail-oriented with strong problem-solving skills
- Works well in a team environment (both in person and virtual)
- Proactive in training and onboarding in a hybrid environment
- Focus on process improvement, training, and mentoring others
- Adaptable to change
- Strong customer focus
- Exhibits Southern Company’s “Our Values” (Safety First, Intentional Inclusion, Act with Integrity, and Superior Performance).
- Safety First - We actively care about the safety and well-being of our employees, customers, and communities. Safely approaching every job, every day, always comes first.
- Intentional Inclusion – We are One Team, working to foster a culture of belonging and ensuring our diverse team feels valued. Investing in an equitable culture benefits employees, customers, communities, and shareholders.
- Act with Integrity – We act with honesty, respect, and fairness, demonstrating trustworthiness in all we do. We are true to our word and follow through on our commitments.
- Superior Performance - We keep customers at the center of everything we do, with a focus on continuous improvement. We provide exceptional service, delivering innovative solutions that benefit our customers, communities, investors, and the environment.
