Senior Engineer - DER Communications

Socket.dev; Atlanta (GA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Hybrid work schedule

Job summary

Georgia Power Company is seeking an Engineer to support the installation, commissioning, testing, maintenance, and lifecycle support of utility-owned DER field gateway solutions deployed at DER sites across Georgia.

The role involves hands-on field deployment, including wiring, configuration, testing, troubleshooting, and documentation, with travel across Georgia and a hybrid work schedule when not on-site.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Engineering Technology, Telecommunications, Information Systems, or related field preferred.
• Professional Engineer license is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support deployment of DER field gateway solutions per technical requirements and standards.
• Perform end-to-end field deployment activities including installation checks, configuration, commissioning, and testing.
• Support DERMS and OT platform integration with data validation and operational checkout.
• Maintain accurate field deployment records, as-built documentation, and maintenance history.

Skills

Electrical/Engineering expertise

Field deployment

Networking/OT

Travel readiness

Education

ABET-accredited engineering degree

Professional Engineer license

Job description

Georgia Power Company is seeking an Engineer to support the installation, commissioning, testing, maintenance, and lifecycle support of utility-owned Distributed Energy Resource (DER) field gateway solutions deployed at DER sites across Georgia. This field-focused role will help enable secure, scalable, and sustainable DER communications required for real-time DER monitoring and control through a Distributed Energy Resource Management System (DERMS). The position will work closely with the DER Communications’ Principal Gateway lead, DER operations teams, field organizations, cybersecurity, telecommunications, vendors, and contractors to ensure gateways are installed and maintained safely, reliably, and consistently.

The position will be responsible for hands‑on field execution, including installation and configuration of gateway hardware and communications equipment, supporting point‑to‑point testing, validating communications with DER assets and DERMS platforms, troubleshooting field issues, documenting as‑built configurations, and supporting ongoing maintenance activities. Duties include working with low voltage power wiring, instrumentation and control wiring, and low voltage data and communication wiring.

The successful candidate will be joining GPC’s expanding Grid Strategy & Solutions team that is developing Company strategies for the “grid of the future”. This collaborative and innovative team values leaders and problem‑solvers who are excited about shaping the future of our industry.

Responsibilities

Major Responsibilities

• Support deployment of standardized utility‑owned DER field gateway solutions in accordance with technical requirements, construction specifications, cybersecurity standards, and operating procedures developed by the Principal Gateway lead and supporting SMEs.
• Perform end‑to‑end field deployment activities for DER gateways, including site readiness reviews, installation checks, device configuration, commissioning, communications validation, point‑to‑point testing, troubleshooting, and corrective maintenance.
• Support DERMS and enterprise Operational Technology (OT) platform integration by assisting with point list mapping, data validation, communications testing, control logic verification, and operational checkout with DER site personnel up to and including witness testing.
• Maintain accurate field deployment records, commissioning results, as‑built documentation, configuration files, maintenance history, and lessons learned to support long‑term gateway reliability and continuous improvement.
• Support integration of DER field gateways with DERMS and other enterprise OT platforms used for monitoring and controlling DER assets.
• Coordinate with contractors, vendors, field organizations, telecommunications, cybersecurity, DER operations, and customer program teams to support safe and reliable DER field gateway installations.
• Apply working knowledge of networking, firewalls, VLANs, NATs, cellular or utility telecommunications, and secure architecture during field deployment and troubleshooting activities.
• Provide field input to improve DER gateway designs, installation standards, construction specifications, maintenance practices, and operating procedures.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Engineering Technology, Telecommunications, Information Systems, or a related technical discipline from an ABET‑accredited institution is preferred.
• Professional Engineer License is a plus.

Experience, Skills and Abilities

• Minimum of 5 years of electric utility engineering, field engineering, operations, telecommunications, automation, or related technical experience is required.
• Ability to travel frequently across Georgia to DER sites and work safely in field environments is required.
• Field experience installing, commissioning, maintaining, or troubleshooting distribution automation, control, communications, metering, SCADA, protection, or related field equipment is highly preferred.
• Experience working in Distribution Automation, I&C Engineering, SIA, or P&C Field Services is highly preferred.
• Understanding of monitoring and control systems, SCADA architectures, electric utility OT environments, and secure communications networks is highly preferred.
• Experience supporting field communications equipment for electric utility OT control systems or industrial environments is highly preferred.
• Hands‑on experience with installation, commissioning, maintenance, configuration, or operations of control, automation, networking, or communications equipment is highly preferred.
• Strong working knowledge communication protocols such as DNP3, Modbus, IEEE 2030.5, OpenADR, OPC, and EIC 61850 is highly preferred.
• Experience with communication protocol conversion, point mapping, telecommunications system architecture, and field diagnostics is preferred.
• Experience with RTACs, PLCs, power plant controllers (PPCs), cellular routers, radios, network switches, gateways, inverter‑based resources (IBR), renewable generation control systems, or similar intelligent field devices is preferred.
• Working knowledge of networking, cybersecurity, firewalls, VLANs, NATs, IP addressing, and use of diagnostic tools is preferred.
• Experience working in Transmission &/or Distribution Engineering, P&C Applications, telecommunications or system operations is a plus.
• Experience with distributed generation (DG) interconnection, DG witness testing, renewables, DER operations, or customer‑owned equipment integration is a plus.
• Experience producing field documentation, test records, as‑built drawings, configuration artifacts, maintenance records, and commissioning reports is a plus.

Behavioral Attributes

• Demonstrates Safety First mindset in all field, engineering, and operational decisions.
• Acts with integrity, professionalism, accountability, and strong adherence to Human Performance principles.
• Self‑directed, dependable, and comfortable working independently while traveling to DER sites and coordinating with multiple internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong communicator who can document field work clearly and build effective relationships across engineering (Renewables, Field and Protection and Controls), operations, contractors, vendors, and customer‑facing teams.
• Growth‑oriented mindset with commitment to continuous improvement, knowledge sharing, and learning from the Principal Engineer and other DER communications SMEs.

Work Location, Schedule & Travel

• Based in Atlanta, GA with a hybrid work schedule when not supporting field deployment, commissioning, maintenance, or troubleshooting activities.
• Relocation assistance is available to those not currently within a reasonable commute distance.
• Travel up to 50%, including day trips and occasional overnight travel to DER sites across Georgia.

Other Requirements

• Candidate must be able to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Position requires walking through rough and uneven terrain.
• Candidate must be able to lift or move 50 lbs. of equipment and materials.
• Prior experience using hand tools and test equipment to repair mechanical and/or electrical equipment is required.
• Must be available to travel overnight and provide statewide support while working alone and driving to remote locations.

Georgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America's premier energy company. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the Company's promise to 2.6 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable, and affordable energy at rates below the national average, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Georgia Power focuses on delivering world‑class service to its customers every day and the Company is recognized by J.D. Power and Associates as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.GeogiaPower.com and connect with the Company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), Twitter (Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ga_power).

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 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.

Georgia Power