Solar Engineer OR Engineering Analyst (SPC Renewable Energy O&M)

Job Summary

This position manages the day-to-day operation and maintenance of renewable facilities (primarily Solar) for Southern Power Company. Primary responsibilities include:

• Managing contracts with O&M providers to achieve optimal results for the SPC renewable facilities
• Supporting SPC-performed O&M strategy for current and future renewable facilities
• Performing O&M contract development of renewable facilities targeted for acquisition or development by SPC
• Supporting due diligence of asset acquisitions and new development projects
• Developing and maintaining capital and O&M budgets to optimize Net Income and ensure cost-effective utilization of company third-party assets
• Processing monthly and quarterly invoices for SPC provided expenses
• Analyzing data and implementing solutions that optimize the performance of renewable facilities
• Collaboration with performance engineering to utilize operational data to identify and pursue efficiency improvements
• Proactively manage equipment issues and plant outages remotely to understand matters and drive to satisfactory resolution
• Develop and implement strategic initiatives to optimize solar operations, while fostering strong relationships with plant personnel, the finance team, and industry partners
• Participating in periodic face-to-face meetings and status calls with contractor asset management and operation teams
• Coordinating site visits to renewable facilities
• Developing status reports and presentations for management updates
• Ensuring that all compliance and regulatory requirements are met
• Understanding plant operation details and handling communication of updates and resolutions to management, internal and external customers, and peer groups
• Working with other SPC departments, including but not limited to Generation Support, Commercial Optimization and Trading, Origination & Acquisitions, Accounting, Project Siting, Development and EPC, Project Analysis and Market Assessment, and Compliance and External Affairs concerning renewable operations
• Participating in project teams to assess the operational and financial risks associated with renewable projects
• Attending conferences to develop and leverage relationships with industry peers and OEMs to keep a pulse on the market
  
  

This position is in Birmingham, AL. However, the successful candidate may also have the option of reporting to Southern Company’s Corporate Headquarters in Atlanta, GA or an existing Solar Facility.

Overnight travel is required to renewable facilities located in various parts of the United States including, but not limited to, Georgia, West Virginia, Texas, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Maine, Washington, California, New Mexico, and Kansas.

Job Requirements

Education

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or engineering technology preferred
  
  

Experience

Job experience in the following areas is required:

• Minimum of 3 years of power plant operations and maintenance experience (battery, photovoltaic, wind or fossil fuel power generation can all provide relevant experience)
• Project management skills (i.e., managing scope, schedule, and budget)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products (i.e., Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
• Contract management experience
• Management of multiple medium to large-scale projects, ensuring successful execution from planning through completion
  
  

Job Experience In The Following Areas Is Strongly Preferred

• Experience managing capital and O&M budgets
• Asset management experience, including use of asset management software such as Maximo
• Ability to interpret operational data – PI or OIS experience a plus
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings (P&ID drawings, single lines, etc.)
• Ability to develop and communicate Key Performance Indicators to internal and external stakeholders
  
  

Other Relevant Experience Includes

• Power plant design and construction
• Generation development
• Utility system planning
  
  

Behavioral Attributes

• Must demonstrate Our Values: Safety First, Intentional Inclusion, Act with Integrity, and Superior Performance
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills are required
• Must demonstrate an intellectual curiosity and a desire for continuous improvement
• Must demonstrate the ability to work in a team environment
• Must demonstrate the ability to build and maintain professional working relationships with internal and external customers
• Must demonstrate strong written and presentation skills, as well as a commitment to accuracy and attention to detail
• Effectively interpret data to drive informed decision-making and communicate project outcomes with internal and external stakeholders
• Resourceful and self-starter with the ability to identify, prioritize, and organize work while managing multiple projects and meeting strict deadlines
• Must demonstrate assertiveness and the ability to influence others tactfully
  
  

Southern Power , a subsidiary of Southern Company, is a leading U.S. wholesale energy provider meeting the electricity needs of municipalities, electric cooperatives, investor-owned utilities, and other energy customers. Southern Power and its subsidiaries own 55 facilities operating or under construction in 14 states with more than 12,500 MW of generating capacity in Alabama, California, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Maine, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, West Virginia, and Washington.

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 invests in the well-being of its employees and their families through a comprehensive total rewards strategy that includes competitive base salary, annual incentive awards for eligible employees and health, welfare and retirement benefits designed to support physical, financial, and emotional/social well-being. This position may also be eligible for additional compensation, such as an incentive program, with the amount of any bonus/awards subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable incentive plan(s). A summary of the benefits offered for this position can be found here https://seo.nlx.org/southernco/pdf/SOCO-Benefits.pdf . Additional and specific details about total compensation and benefits will also be provided during the hiring process.

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: 11090

Job Category: Power Plant Operations & Maintenance

Job Schedule: Full time

Company: Southern Power