Solar Engineer OR Engineering Analyst (SPC Renewable Energy O&M)

The Solar Engineer/Engineering Analyst at Southern Company in New York manages the operation and maintenance of solar facilities. Responsibilities include managing O&M contracts, supporting acquisition projects, developing budgets, analyzing performance data, and resolving equipment issues remotely. The role involves collaboration with various departments, ensuring compliance, and participating in meetings and site visits. Strong relationship management with plant personnel and industry partners is essential.
About the position

This position manages the day-to-day operation and maintenance of renewable facilities (primarily Solar) for Southern Power Company. Primary responsibilities include: Managing contracts with O&M providers to achieve optimal results for the SPC renewable facilities Supporting SPC-performed O&M strategy for current and future renewable facilities Performing O&M contract development of renewable facilities targeted for acquisition or development by SPC Supporting due diligence of asset acquisitions and new development projects Developing and maintaining capital and O&M budgets to optimize Net Income and ensure cost-effective utilization of company third-party assets Processing monthly and quarterly invoices for SPC provided expenses Analyzing data and implementing solutions that optimize the performance of renewable facilities Collaboration with performance engineering to utilize operational data to identify and pursue efficiency improvements Proactively manage equipment issues and plant outages remotely to understand matters and drive to satisfactory resolution Develop and implement strategic initiatives to optimize solar operations, while fostering strong relationships with plant personnel, the finance team, and industry partners Participating in periodic face-to-face meetings and status calls with contractor asset management and operation teams Coordinating site visits to renewable facilities Developing status reports and presentations for management updates Ensuring that all compliance and regulatory requirements are met Understanding plant operation details and handling communication of updates and resolutions to management, internal and external customers, and peer groups Working with other SPC departments, including but not limited to Generation Support, Commercial Optimization and Trading, Origination & Acquisitions, Accounting, Project Siting, Development and EPC, Project Analysis and Market Assessment, and Compliance and External Affairs concerning renewable operations Participating in project teams to assess the operational and financial risks associated with renewable projects Attending conferences to develop and leverage relationships with industry peers and OEMs to keep a pulse on the market.

Responsibilities
• Managing contracts with O&M providers to achieve optimal results for the SPC renewable facilities
,
• Supporting SPC-performed O&M strategy for current and future renewable facilities
,
• Performing O&M contract development of renewable facilities targeted for acquisition or development by SPC
,
• Supporting due diligence of asset acquisitions and new development projects
,
• Developing and maintaining capital and O&M budgets to optimize Net Income and ensure cost-effective utilization of company third-party assets
,
• Processing monthly and quarterly invoices for SPC provided expenses
,
• Analyzing data and implementing solutions that optimize the performance of renewable facilities
,
• Collaboration with performance engineering to utilize operational data to identify and pursue efficiency improvements
,
• Proactively manage equipment issues and plant outages remotely to understand matters and drive to satisfactory resolution
,
• Develop and implement strategic initiatives to optimize solar operations
,
• Fostering strong relationships with plant personnel, the finance team, and industry partners
,
• Participating in periodic face-to-face meetings and status calls with contractor asset management and operation teams
,
• Coordinating site visits to renewable facilities
,
• Developing status reports and presentations for management updates
,
• Ensuring that all compliance and regulatory requirements are met
,
• Understanding plant operation details and handling communication of updates and resolutions to management, internal and external customers, and peer groups
,
• Working with other SPC departments concerning renewable operations
,
• Participating in project teams to assess the operational and financial risks associated with renewable projects
,
• Attending conferences to develop and leverage relationships with industry peers and OEMs

Requirements
• Bachelor's degree in engineering or engineering technology preferred
,
• Minimum of 3 years of power plant operations and maintenance experience (battery, photovoltaic, wind or fossil fuel power generation can all provide relevant experience)
,
• Project management skills (i.e., managing scope, schedule, and budget)
,
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products (i.e., Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
,
• Contract management experience
,
• Management of multiple medium to large-scale projects, ensuring successful execution from planning through completion

Nice-to-haves
• Experience managing capital and O&M budgets
,
• Asset management experience, including use of asset management software such as Maximo
,
• Ability to interpret operational data - PI or OIS experience a plus
,
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings (P&ID drawings, single lines, etc.)
,
• Ability to develop and communicate Key Performance Indicators to internal and external stakeholders
,
• Power plant design and construction experience
,
• Generation development experience
,
• Utility system planning experience

Benefits
• Competitive base salary
,
• Annual incentive awards for eligible employees
,
• Health, welfare and retirement benefits designed to support physical, financial, and emotional/social well-being