Protection & Control Applications Engineer/Analyst (Birmingham, AL)

Protection & Control Applications Engineer/Analyst
Southern Company Services, TSS Engineering – P&C Applications Team

WORK LOCATION

• This position will be based out of the Energy Center, Birmingham, AL.
• This position will require a mix of both field and office work. 
• Successful candidates are expected to be in the office or at a field location four days per week and can work remotely the remaining day of the week.
• Travel expectations – approximately 25% per year, to include both office and field locations as dictated by business need.
• Some relocation assistance may be available if the successful candidate does not already live within a reasonable commute distance.

JOB SUMMARY

This position will perform protective relay calculations and coordination studies for Southern Company's transmission and distribution systems.  This engineer will also perform engineering design and technical services for the specification, application and analysis of protective relaying, control and automation systems. The incumbent will provide technical expertise and support for design, construction, planning, marketing and customers regarding protection and control of Southern Company's transmission and distribution facilities.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design protective relay & control schemes and develop protective relay settings to protect and monitor the performance of electric power system facilities (transmission lines, distribution lines, and substation equipment). 
• Provide power system and protection engineering consulting services and technical assistance to other functional areas. 
• Investigate root cause of abnormal power system operations. 
• Review transmission system operations with emphasis on microprocessor relay event analysis.  
• Some travel for site visits, meetings, conferences, and training may be required.  

Selected candidate will have the chance to: 

• Work with technologies that range from the older electromechanical relays to modern microprocessor relays. 
• Support operations and design functions to maintain a reliable, safe, and secure power system. 
• Develop protection schemes and providing relay settings for protecting the power system from short circuits and other abnormal conditions that might cause damage or interfere with the effective operation of the system. 
• Handle multiple projects simultaneously, requiring the ability to set priorities and use effective time management and organizational skills.   

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Engineering Technology is preferred.
  • Electrical emphasis/discipline is highly preferred
• Professional Engineer (P.E.) License or Engineer-in-Training Certificate or ability to obtain in 12 months is highly desirable.

Experience:

• Experience in transmission and/or distribution substation operations, power delivery, field services engineering, and/or substation control design engineering is preferred.
• Experience performing protective relay calculations and coordination studies is a plus.
• Experience working with CAPE (Computer Aided Protection Engineering), ASPEN, EDSA, ETAP or other related power system simulation software programs is a plus.
• Substation protective relay testing experience along with control scheme testing and commissioning experience is a plus.
• For less experienced engineers, electrical engineering courses that will be helpful in this position will include Power System Analysis, Protective Relaying, Control Systems, Electric Machine Theory, and Symmetrical Components.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Knowledge of electrical and power system theory
• Understanding of substation protection & operation control schemes
• Strong time management and organizational skills required to balance multiple projects simultaneously and adhere to deadlines
• Excellent oral and written communication skills

Behavioral Attributes:

• Exemplifies “Our Values” behaviors of Safety First, Intentional Inclusion, Act with Integrity, and Superior Performance
• Takes personal responsibility for the quality of technical work
• Works independently and conscientiously with minimal supervision
• Attention to detail and strong motivation for quality, accuracy, and timeliness
• Shows teamwork, communicates effectively, and helps foster a team environment
• Demonstrates assertiveness and ability to inf