SCADA Engineer/Engineering Analyst

SPC Remote Operations Center (ROC) SCADA Engineer/Engineering Analyst

This position will function as part of the Southern Power Remote Operations Center, a 24x7 facility which remotely operates a portion of the SPC renewable fleet. This position will closely support and interface with ROC Operators, M&D Analysts, and Renewable Analysts who use SCADA data in their respective roles.  This position will interface with other technical support functions, such as Technical Services and Information Technology. This position will be located at the Southern Power Remote Operations Center in Birmingham, AL and will be filled at a level and job classification commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate.

Education Requirements:

• B.S. in Engineering from an ABET accredited institution or similar relevant industry experience is required
• B.S. in Electrical Engineering discipline strongly preferred

Responsibilities:

• On-call support for 24x7 remote operation center (GOP, ERCOT QSE, and Energy Manager ROC)
• Interface with site personnel, IT, vendors, etc. to resolve issues
• Complete SCADA PM work orders on time including backups, software updates, anti-virus definition updates, and OS/firmware patching
• SCADA/HMI design and development
• Configuration acceptance testing
• Commissioning support
• Create, maintain SCADA documentation and diagrams
• Assist in providing training on plant SCADA systems
• Compliance with NERC/CIP requirements applicable to facility and ROC operations
• Support SCADA data requests for Market and Compliance requests for information (RFI’s) and other customer data needs
• Host and facilitate routine customer touchpoints
• Support other departments within the Business with due diligence related to SCADA

Experience:

• Minimum 5-6 years of experience using and managing plant control systems or SCADA systems
• Experience with plant control systems, RTACS, Allen Bradley PLCs, etc. desired
• Experience with screen development and HMI overlays desired
• Ignition configuration experience required
• Experience with data historian preferred, specifically AVEVA PI preferred
• Proven ability to plan and ability to discern problems that need immediate attention versus those that allow more time to resolve desired
• Troubleshooting communications and/or system issues associated with plant controls desired
• Experience in organizing and managing multiple projects at the same time
• Experience with data management techniques to access, integrate, and present data from multiple sources is desired (SQL Server, Excel, Access, etc.) desired.
• Wind or solar plant commissioning experience desired
• EMS SCADA support experience a plus

Skills:

• Basic working knowledge of the following:
  • Computer networking
  • Virtual machines
  • Industrial automation communication protocols (e.g. Modbus, OPC, DNP3, ICCP)
  • SQL and SQL server software
  • Programming; Python or other scripting language a plus
  • Computer-aided drawing (CAD); AutoCAD or Microsoft Visio a plus
• Solid troubleshooting skills required
• Basic Active Directory configuration a plus
• Proficiency in the use of Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, and other applications
• Proven interpersonal and communication skills
• Extensive IT knowledge a plus

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 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