Renewables Project Engineer / Engineering Analyst

Southern Power; Lemoore (CA); On-site; USD 77,000 - 146,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Power in the United States is seeking an experienced project leader to drive capital and O&M projects across its renewable fleet. The role emphasizes reliability improvements, standardized execution, and clear cross-functional communication to move work forward.

The position requires ownership, sound judgement, and the ability to partner across site teams, contractors, and internal stakeholders. Travel to renewable facilities nationwide is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or Engineering Technology preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of power plant operations and maintenance, project engineering, financial modeling, or asset management, preferably in renewables.
• Contract administration and management experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead capital and O&M projects from planning through execution, including budgeting, scheduling, and stakeholder coordination.
• Improve fleet reliability and performance; lead root cause investigations and implement practical solutions.
• Drive fleet-wide standardization and process improvements for consistency across sites.
• Support planning and financial decision-making; build business cases and communicate recommendations to leadership.
• Support acquisitions, development, and repower initiatives with technical expertise and risk assessments.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Technical problem solving

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's in Engineering or Engineering Technology

Tools

Maximo

PI/OIS data systems

Job description

Job Summary

This role is a key part of improving reliability, standardizing execution, and supporting long-term performance across SPC’s renewable fleet. The position leads high-impact capital and O&M projects, solves technical reliability challenges, and drives consistent execution across wind and solar assets. Strong project leadership, clear communication, and the ability to turn operational issues into practical solutions are critical to success. The role requires ownership, sound judgment, and the ability to work across site teams, contractors, and internal stakeholders to move work forward.

Job Summary

This role is a key part of improving reliability, standardizing execution, and supporting long-term performance across SPC’s renewable fleet. The position leads high-impact capital and O&M projects, solves technical reliability challenges, and drives consistent execution across wind and solar assets. Strong project leadership, clear communication, and the ability to turn operational issues into practical solutions are critical to success. The role requires ownership, sound judgment, and the ability to work across site teams, contractors, and internal stakeholders to move work forward.

Core Responsibilities

• Lead capital and O&M projects: Manage major renewable fleet projects from planning through execution, including scope development, budgeting, scheduling, contractor coordination, contract support, and stakeholder communication.
• Improve fleet reliability and performance: Provide technical support for operational issues, lead root cause investigations for major events and equipment failures, and implement practical solutions that improve availability, reliability, and long-term asset performance.
• Drive standardization and operational excellence: Develop and implement fleet-wide practices, maintenance strategies, and process improvements that create consistency across sites and support efficient renewable fleet operations.
• Support planning and financial decision-making: Build project business cases, support five-year capital planning, evaluate cost and risk tradeoffs, and communicate recommendations clearly to leadership and cross-functional partners.
• Support acquisitions, development, and repowers : Contribute technical expertise, risk assessments, contract support, and integration planning for renewable acquisitions, development projects, and repower initiatives.

This position is primarily located in Birmingham, AL but can also be located at any SPC owned renewable facility. Overnight travel is required to renewable facilities located across the United States. Travel is typically planned in advance and varies by project needs; the team works to coordinate schedules and balance travel where possible.

Job Requirements

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or Engineering Technology preferred

Experience

Job experience in the following areas is required:

• Minimum of 3 years of power plant operations and maintenance, project engineering, financial modeling, or asset management, preferably in renewables
• Management of multiple medium to large scale projects, ensuring successful execution from planning to through completion.
• Contract administration and management

Job Experience In The Following Areas Is Strongly Preferred

• Budget development and management, cost control, and financial forecasting
• Interpreting operational data – PI or OIS experience a plus
• Reading and interpreting engineering drawings (P&ID drawings, single lines, etc.)
• Creating and presenting business case justifications for projects and investments
• Regulatory filings and compliance in the energy sector

Other Relevant Experience Includes

• Power plant design and construction
• Generation development
• Utility system planning

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Ability to build and maintain professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Self-starter with strong organizational skills; able to prioritize, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Familiarity with asset management systems (e.g., Maximo) and PI or OIS data systems
• Ability to interpret and analyze operational data; prepare clear technical reports for stakeholders
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings (P&ID drawings, single lines, etc)
• Strong project management skills, including scheduling, resource allocation, and risk mitigation
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Solid understanding of expense and capital budgeting
• Ability to lead and motivate cross-functional teams and foster collaboration

Behavioral Attributes

• Demonstrates company values: Safety First, Intentional Inclusion, Act with Integrity, and Superior Performance
• Works effectively in a team environment; promotes collaboration
• Maintains accuracy and attention to detail
• Adapts quickly to changing priorities and unexpected challenges
• Communicates clearly and tactfully with technical and non-technical audiences
• Assertive and able to influence others tactfully
• Innovative mindset; seeks continuous improvement and new ways to enhance processes
• Exhibits intellectual curiosity and a commitment to learning

For applicants who would be based in California: Pursuant to California law, the reasonable wage expectation for this position is $76,765-$145,934.

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 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.