Microgrid Systems Engineer​/Battery Storage and Power Distribution

Southern Company is seeking a Microgrid Systems Engineer in Atlanta, GA, focusing on the design and implementation of Microgrid Applications, particularly in Hybrid/Solar/Renewable Energy. Candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, 8+ years of experience in power distribution, and skills in control systems, programming, and project coordination. The role involves reviewing construction drawings, coordinating with teams, and ensuring project milestones are met.
Position: Microgrid Systems Engineer (Battery Storage and Power Distribution)

Description

Job Summary:

The Systems Engineer provides engineering services for the design and implementation of Microgrid Applications with a special focus on Hybrid/Solar/Renewable Energy Applications. These engineering activities are to provide professional Control System engineering services associated with the design of the low and medium voltage distributed energy resources (DERs). This will be based on customer or internally provided plans and specifications that will be submitted and then released for implementation in accordance with engineering procedures and standards.

Minimum Qualifications:

(Education, Experience, Knowledge, and Skills):
• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related technical field from an accredited university.
• Minimum of 8+ years of experience in a power distribution engineering environment.
• Advanced understanding of power generation and distribution.
• Advanced understanding of solar/renewable energy equipment/system deployment, integration, and troubleshooting.
• Basic Field Networking experience with Modbus and/or DNP
3.
• Prior experience designing/implementing Microgrid or distributed energy resource applications is highly preferred.
• Knowledge of digital multifunction relays for Genset protection and electric utility requirements:
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories and Beckwith.
• Experience with Programmable Logic Controllers with one or more of the following manufacturers:
Emerson/GE, Siemens, and/or Allen Bradley.
• Ability to travel up to 15% of time.
• Strong analytical, communication, and organizational skills with a desire for continuous improvement.
• Proficient with ladder logic programming.
• An understanding of the NEC.
• Proficient with MS Office applications.
• Experience with 2-D CAD software.
• Proficient with industrial automation software packages.
• Experience with TIA Portal or Proficy Machine Edition a plus.
• Ability to interact with peers and management in a positive manner.
• Knowledge of structured programming communications and various protocols.
• Proficient acting as a system integrator and understanding high-level operation.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:
• Confirm and review construction drawings and bring concerns to EPC and/or Operations team in a timely fashion to mitigate any potential delays.
• Coordinate and communicate with other engineering groups, sales, marketing, and operations. Be an active participant in project meetings including handoff, release review, and design meetings as required with the necessary stakeholders.
• Review the various product BoM (Bill of Materials) to ensure necessary components are present to complete the required scope of work.
• If made aware of long lead material, notify appropriate personnel.
• Ensure schedules and milestone dates are achieved in the ERP system. Provide feedback to Engineering Manager if issues arise.
• Review drawing packages prior to release to ensure necessary components to complete required scope of work are present.
• Write and deploy complex power and control schemes including load shedding/peak shaving schemes utilizing multiple distributed energy resources, Microgrid operations, breaker control schemes.
• Ability to review electrical diagrams and schematics for LV, MV, and DC applications.
• Ensure projects have proper controls, metering, and monitoring. Controls include Power meters, automation equipment (PLC), protective relays, load sharing, synchronization, etc.
• Create programming files for the various control devices associated with a project using any programming templates that have been previously created.
• Coordinate with QA for simulation of control systems.
• Work with test equipment and diagnostic instruments for automation and power management systems.
• Provide technical support as needed during working and non-working hours.
• Support Test when issues arise in the factory.
• Troubleshoot site issues alongside commissioning team as they arise.
• Communicate clearly to Engineering Manager when issues or ideas arise for continuous improvement.
• Owning program creation for system controls, PLCs, protective relays, etc., and coordinating with SCADA and QA group as needed.
• Write Factory Acceptance Test procedures, Functional Performance Test, Sequence of Operations for complex systems.
• Support design standardization efforts with other groups.

Program Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC’s) for the following applications, but not limited to:
• Simple Automatic Transfer Controls between two sources (e.g., Main-Tie-Main, Main-Gen)
• Complex Automatic Transfer controls between multiple sources (e.g., Main-Tie-Gen-Tie-Main, Main-Gen-Tie-Gen-Main)
• Paralleling Switchgear Applications
• Renewable Control

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; manual dexterity will be required to feel objects, grasp/use tools or manipulate controls. Employee will also be required to reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch; talk or hear; or smell. The employee must…