Protection & Control Field Services Engineer / Technician

AbilityLinks; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Company is seeking a Protection & Control Field Services Engineer/Technician for the Metro East Transmission Maintenance Center. The role covers P&C field services, project planning, and outage response with safety as a priority.

Candidates should have a relevant engineering degree or equivalent experience and be prepared to work in a hybrid environment with potential travel. Strong communication across teams is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or BS in Engineering Technology or PE license or 2-year technical degree in electrical maintenance or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Commissioning, testing, maintaining, and troubleshooting protective relaying, controls, and communication equipment for substations and transmission lines.
• Complete assigned tasks without service interruptions; isolate equipment and manage clearances to meet quality, schedule, and budget targets.
• Coordinate activities with multiple internal and external stakeholders.
• Serve as first responder to investigate power interruptions and equipment alarms.
• Develop and apply safe and efficient work practices; conduct job briefings to identify risks.
• Isolate hazards and damaged equipment during emergencies to restore service safely.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering

BS Degree in Engineering Technology

Professional Engineering License

2-year technical degree in electrical maintenance

Equivalent applicable experience

Job description

Protection & Control Field Services Engineer / Technician – Metro East Transmission Maintenance Center

This posting is for a Protection & Control Field Services Engineer, Engineering Associate, or Technician position based in the Metro East Transmission Maintenance Center. This position will be filled as a Non-Exempt position in the Protection & Control Field Services Engineer/Technician family, with the pay and level commensurate with the qualifications, education, and experience of the successful candidate.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the Protection & Control (P&C) Field Services activities in the Northern Transmission Maintenance Area (TMA). Safety and Quality are paramount in this position. The successful candidate will be expected to learn and apply switching procedures and safety measures. The candidate will be expected to plan and complete projects safely, efficiently, on schedule, and without service interruptions.

Candidates selected to interview will be chosen from the applicants based on how qualifications align with the job requirements listed below.

Education Requirements

(Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills)

• 4-year Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, or
• 4-year BS Degree in Engineering Technology, or
• Professional Engineering License, or
• 2-year technical degree in electrical maintenance, or
• Equivalent applicable experience (Examples: Electrician, Technician, Wireman, HVAC, etc.)

Preferred Experience

• P&C Field Services experience
• Electric power utility transmission construction, maintenance, or operations experience
• Experience related to P&C Applications, Design, Construction, Major Electrical Equipment, Project Management, etc.
• Experience standing by to respond to abnormal conditions 24 hours / 7 days

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of 3-phase power systems, AC/DC Protection & Control Schemes, Fault Analysis
• Familiar with test equipment such as voltmeters, ammeters, ohmmeters, communications instruments, and computerized relay test sets.
• Ability to communicate across multiple work groups including customers, covered employees, and leadership

Requirements

• Candidate must possess ability to solve problems and make decisions while managing projects with multiple priorities
• Must possess a valid driver’s license with minimum of 12 months driving record.
• Familiar with computer programs including but not limited to Microsoft Office products (Word, Teams, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Successful candidates shall participate in callout rotation and respond to outages or other abnormal conditions outside of their normal work schedule. This includes weekends and holidays.
• Overnight travel is sometimes required.
• Safety sensitive position subject to relevant pre-employment screening(s) to determine fitness for duty.
• Hybrid position requiring:
• physical ability to operate manual switches,
• work in an outdoor environment with exposure to the elements, and
• some periods of conducting business in an office setting.
• Must live in or be willing to relocate within reasonable distance to the Ponce and Conyers TMC and Northern TMA coverage area (Examples of cities within area: Buford, GA; Atlanta, GA; Conyers, GA; Snellville, GA; Lawrenceville, GA; etc.).
• Must be able to pass the standard Southern Company background check, drug screen, and NERC Background check.

Job Responsibilities

• Commissioning, testing, maintaining, and troubleshooting protective relaying, controls, and communication equipment associated with substation and transmission power lines.
• Complete assigned tasks ensuring they are completed without service interruptions.This includes isolating equipment and managing clearances effectively to meet quality, schedule, and budget targets.
• Coordinating assigned activities with multiple internal and external stakeholders.
• Serve as first responder to investigate power interruptions and equipment alarms.
• Develop and use safe and efficient work practices to prevent safety and operational incidents.Follow formal written requirements.Conduct job briefings to identify and mitigate safety and operational risks.
• Isolate hazards and damaged equipment during emergencies to restore service safely and efficiently

Behavioral Attributes

• Model “Our Values”: Safety Excellence, Unquestionable Trust, Superior Performance, and Total Commitment
• Incorporate Human Performance tools into daily work practices
• Support GPC’s Inclusion goals
• Self-motivated to produce results without direct supervision
• Customer focus
• Questioning attitude