Instrumentation & Controls Engineer / Specialist – Volume Procurement

Southern Company; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Company in Birmingham, AL seeks an Instrumentation & Controls Engineer/ Specialist to provide technical and execution support for multiple new generation projects. You will coordinate across engineering design teams, suppliers, procurement, quality, and project controls to ensure technical integrity and alignment with schedule, cost, and quality objectives.

The role requires 3+ years in instrumentation & controls, strong vendor collaboration, and the ability to manage procurement

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in instrumentation & controls engineering, automation engineering, procurement engineering, or project execution preferred
• Experience in procurement processes, supplier management, and contract administration
• Strong communication skills to lead supplier calls and coordinate across stakeholders

Responsibilities

• Develop and issue purchase orders for instrumentation, controls systems, and associated engineering services
• Partner with design teams to assemble bid packages, including instrumentation, technical specifications, scope of work, and evaluation criteria
• Support supplier evaluation, bid reviews, and technical recommendations for awards
• Administer supplier contracts, including scope clarification, issue resolution, and change management
• Track manufacturing and integration progress for instrumentation and control systems and validate milestones
• Conduct meetings with vendors to review fabrication, panel assembly, and testing status

Skills

Instrumentation & Controls

Procurement

Supplier coordination

Project execution

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering

Other degrees considered with relevant experience

5+ years experience could substitute degree

Tools

DCS

PLC

SCADA

Modbus

Ethernet/IP

Job description

Birmingham, AL

Position Summary

The Instrumentation & Controls (I&C) Engineer / Specialist provides technical and execution support to the Volume Procurement group, enabling the efficient sourcing and delivery of instrumentation, controls systems, and associated engineering services for multiple new generation projects. This role operates in a programmatic environment, supporting multiple projects simultaneously by coordinating across engineering design teams, suppliers, procurement, quality, and project controls. The successful candidate ensures technical integrity, procurement efficiency, and alignment with project schedule, cost, and quality objectives from bid through delivery.

Position Summary

The Instrumentation & Controls (I&C) Engineer / Specialist provides technical and execution support to the Volume Procurement group, enabling the efficient sourcing and delivery of instrumentation, controls systems, and associated engineering services for multiple new generation projects. This role operates in a programmatic environment, supporting multiple projects simultaneously by coordinating across engineering design teams, suppliers, procurement, quality, and project controls. The successful candidate ensures technical integrity, procurement efficiency, and alignment with project schedule, cost, and quality objectives from bid through delivery.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement & Contract Execution

• Develop and issue purchase orders for instrumentation, controls systems, and associated engineering services
• Partner with design teams to assemble comprehensive bid packages, including instrumentation, technical specifications, scope of work, and evaluation criteria
• Support supplier evaluation, bid reviews, and technical recommendations for awards
• Administer supplier contracts, including scope clarification, issue resolution, and change management

Manufacturing & Supplier Coordination

• Track manufacturing and integration progress for instrumentation and control systems and validate milestones to support progress payments based on supplier performance
• Conduct weekly or biweekly progress meetings with vendors to review fabrication, panel assembly, system configuration, and testing status, identify risks, and drive issue resolution
• Gather detailed manufacturing and integration schedules and key milestones and communicate them to project scheduling teams for integration into project plans
• Develop and deliver monthly long lead time projections and status updates to stakeholders
• Coordinate with suppliers to ensure adherence to technical, schedule, cyber/controls compliance, and quality requirements

Technical Oversight & Quality Assurance

• Review instrument data sheets, loop diagrams, control narratives, and technical submittals for compliance with project specifications
• Ensure Design Engineering subject matter experts (SMEs) participate in Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs) for instrumentation purchases
• Coordinate and communicate witness points and hold points to the Quality team for inspection and test planning

Project Coordination & Delivery

• Track and manage delivery of instrumentation (e.g., transmitters, analyzers, control valves, control panels) to job sites, ensuring alignment with construction and commissioning schedules
• Collaborate with project leads and project controls teams on schedule, cash flow, and quality performance
• Provide regular updates and clear communication on procurement status, risks, and mitigation strategies across multiple projects

Programmatic Support

• Support a portfolio of projects simultaneously, applying standardized processes and best practices across all procurement activities
• Drive consistency, efficiency, and continuous improvement within the Volume Procurement function
• Serve as a key interface between engineering, procurement, supply chain, quality, and project execution teams

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline preferred
• Other degrees may be considered with relevant experience
• 5+ years relevant experience with technical training and hands-on experience in instrumentation, control systems, automation, or procurement-related functions will be considered in lieu of a degree

Experience

• 3+ years of experience in instrumentation & controls engineering, automation engineering, procurement engineering, or project execution preferred
• Previous experience in procurement processes, supplier management, and contract administration highly desired
• Demonstrated strong communication skills, including the ability to lead supplier calls, present updates, and coordinate across diverse stakeholders preferred

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of instrumentation and control systems used in power generation, industrial, or infrastructure projects (e.g., DCS, PLCs, SCADA systems, field instruments, analyzers, control valves, networked control systems)
• Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, loop diagrams, wiring diagrams, control schematics, and technical specifications
• Experience supporting power generation or utility-scale projects
• Knowledge of system integration, control logic, and industrial communication protocols (e.g., Modbus, Ethernet/IP) preferred
• Knowledge of project scheduling and cost tracking concepts
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Strong verbal and written communication

Behavioral Attributes

• Demonstrate Southern Company Values – Safety First, Intentional Inclusion, Superior Performance, and Act with Integrity
• Customer focused
• Works effectively in a collaborative team setting

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.