Remote Operations Center SCADA Engineer/Specialist - I&C Renewables Project Support

WORK LOCATION, SCHEDULE, & TRAVEL

• This position will be based out of Birmingham, AL and located at the Energy Center.
• 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 10%) and the ability to work successfully in a remote/virtual environment with access to internet service.

POSITION SUMMARY

This position supports the SCS Remote Operations Center (ROC), which operates Southern Company’s BESS and renewable generation fleet 24/7. The SCADA Engineer/Specialist will work closely with ROC Operators and Monitoring & Diagnostics (M&D) Analysts to ensure reliable system performance and data integrity. The role also interfaces with Generation employees and other technical teams to maintain and enhance SCADA infrastructure.

This position is responsible for the administration, maintenance, monitoring, and support of the SCS ROC SCADA systems. The successful candidate will be a member of the I&C Renewables Project Support team, performing real-time on-call SCADA support, project support, server administration and patching to provide a highly reliable and available SCADA infrastructure for a real-time operations customer base.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related technical discipline is beneficial.
• Associate degree in Engineering Technology, Industrial Controls, or a related technical field is beneficial; relevant work experience in SCADA, I&C, operations, or plant systems may be considered in lieu of a degree.

Experience:

• Minimum 3+ years of experience using and managing plant control systems or SCADA systems.
• SCADA integration, configuration and HMI screen development experience strongly preferred.
• I&C and operations knowledge of BESS and renewable power plants, including alarm management strategies strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with NERC CIP requirements for Generator Operator (GOP) entity and other related NERC functional entities preferred.
• Experience with industry SCADA platforms and systems (e.g. Ignition, AVEVA, FrameworX) preferred.
• Troubleshooting communications and/or system issues associated with plant controls preferred.
• Experience with data management techniques to access, integrate, and present data from multiple sources is desired.
• Experience with the following software platforms desired: Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL Server, Hypervisors, and Windows Server
• Experience with the following enterprise systems desired: Active Directory, Windows Clustering, terminal servers, thin clients, iSCSI, DNS, and DHCP
• Knowledge of networking fundamentals and remote connectivity tools 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.
• IT Systems knowledge a plus

Key Responsibilities:

• On-call support for 24x7 remote operation centers.
• Ignition SCADA/HMI design, development, startup, and commissioning.
• Contribute to maintaining compliance with NERC CIP requirements applicable to GOP functional entity.
• Create and maintain I&C and SCADA documentation and diagrams as needed for existing systems, new implementations, upgrades, and changes.
• Participate in change management processes.
• Assist in training others on plant I&C and SCADA systems.
• Maintain the Ignition SCADA system including backups, AV updates, OS patching, and software updates.
• Work with business partners to support I&C and SCADA systems to maintain reliable operations.
• Provide project oversight and support for BESS and renewable facilities integrating into the ROC.
• Provide support to remote/onsite I&C and SCADA systems and I&C field technicians.
• Work with business partners to develop and support BESS and renewable facility integration schedules.
• Assist in developing and maintaining company standards for SCADA and HMI.
• Assist with maintaining hardware and software lifecycle models for onsite and ROC SCADA systems.
• Setup, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot hypervisors, physical servers, Windows Server OS systems, Microsoft SQL and MySQL systems.
• Assist with information gathering for audits, projects and other needs.
• Work closely with network and endpoint security teams to ensure SCADA systems are configured properly.
• Assist with server hardware troubleshooting and repairs.
• Participate in general and project meetings.

Additional Useful Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Structured Text, 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

  • Safety First: Prioritize the safety and well-being of employees, customers, and communities.
  • Intentional Inclusion: Foster a culture of belonging and value diversity within the team.
  • Act with Integrity: Conduct business with honesty, respect, and fairness.
  • Superior Performance: Focus on continuous improvement and exceptional service delivery.

• 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.

For a list of our competitive benefit offerings, please visit this link.

About Southern Company

Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million 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 solutions provider 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 customers' and communities' needs while advancing our goal of net-zero greenhouse gas 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 has been recognized by a variety of organizations, earning the company awards and recognitions that reflect Our Values and dedication to service. 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.