I&C Engineer/specialist - I&C Renewables Project Support

I&C Engineer/Specialist - I&C Renewables Project Support

This position will be located in Birmingham, AL.

Work location, schedule, and travel:

This position will be based out of Birmingham, AL.

Hybrid work schedule (both in-office and telecommute); currently four (4) days in-office and one (1) day telecommute (subject to adjustment).

Relocation assistance may be provided if the successful candidate does not currently live within a reasonable commute distance.

This position will require some travel (day and overnight, up to 25%) and the ability to work successfully in a remote/virtual environment with access to internet service.

Position summary:

The I&C Engineer/Specialist at Southern Company is pivotal in the renewable energy sector, focusing on the design, implementation, and maintenance of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and Operational Technology (OT) systems. These systems are essential for the monitoring and control of renewable energy generation facilities and remote operations centers (ROC), including battery energy storage, wind, and solar projects. This role will provide project and technical support for control, SCADA, and OT systems at existing and new facilities.

Position qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering (ABET accredited), Computer Science, Information Systems, or related technical discipline
• Associate degree in Engineering Technology, Industrial Controls, or related technical degree

Experience:

• Experience in one or both of the following areas is strongly preferred:
• Using and managing plant control and/or SCADA systems.
• Using and managing OT systems.
• Real-Time Automation Controller (RTAC) or Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) experience preferred.
• Ignition SCADA integration or configuration and Human Machine Interface (HMI) experience preferred.
• Windows Server administration (e.g. Active Directory, Remote Desktop Services, Windows Clustering, iSCSI, DNS and DHCP) experience preferred.
• Microsoft SQL Server or other popular database servers, VMware or other hypervisors, and disaster recovery solutions (e.g. Acronis Cyber Protect or Quest Rapid Recovery) experience a plus.
• Data management techniques using industrial automation communication protocols (e.g. Modbus, OPC, DNP3) experience a plus.
• Inverter Based Resource (IBR) SCADA or control system experience a plus.

Key responsibilities:

• Development and maintenance of SCADA systems for real-time monitoring and control of renewable energy facilities and ROCs.
• Development of process control equipment, including Real-Time Automation Controllers (RTAC), Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), and miscellaneous renewable generation-related instrumentation.
• Further the development, process implementation, and procedures of company standards for renewable control and SCADA systems.
• Provide project engineering and configuration for control logic and/or SCADA, including device interface, tag lists, operator graphics, and process alarm implementation.
• Create and maintain schematics, documentation, and diagrams as needed for existing systems, new implementations, upgrades, and changes.
• Serve as technical consultant supporting renewable generation facilities with I&C, SCADA, and OT related needs
• Assist in specification, procurement, configuration, field checkout, and commissioning of control and SCADA and control systems.
• Assist in developing project scope definitions, estimates, and schedules.
• Assist with maintaining compliance with Southern Company's cyber security standards, regulatory compliance, and NERC/CIP requirements applicable to renewable facilities.

Additional useful knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Structured Text programming; Python, PowerShell, other scripting languages
• High-level understanding of networking and firewalls, including concepts such as NATs and VLANs, and experience using tools such as Wireshark.
• Plant Operations/Control Room support
• Engineering Drawing Tools (e.g. Computer-aided drawing (CAD); AutoCAD or Microsoft Visio)
• Organizing and managing multiple projects simultaneously.

Behavioral attributes:

• Must consistently demonstrate the behavior of Our Values – Safety First, Intentional Inclusion, Act with Integrity, and Superior Performance
• People Priority: Commit to developing yourself and those around you.
• Growth Mindset: Take Lessons Learned opportunities to grow skills, learn from prior efforts, and foster collaboration.
• Proactivity: Take personal ownership and responsibility for work.

Benefits:

• Competitive Pay
• Career Development Opportunities
• Excellent benefits packages which include:
• 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