Senior Engineer - DER Communications

Southern Co.; Atlanta (GA); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Georgia Power Company is seeking an Engineer to support DER gateway solutions across Georgia, enabling secure, scalable real-time monitoring and control via DERMS. The role involves hands‑on field execution, installation, testing, maintenance, and lifecycle support with DER communications teams, cybersecurity, vendors, and contractors.

Based in Atlanta with a hybrid schedule, travel up to 50% across Georgia is required.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Install and configure gateway hardware and communications equipment.
• Support point‑to‑point testing and validate communications with DER assets and DERMS platforms.
• Troubleshoot field issues and document as‑built configurations.
• Assist ongoing maintenance activities for field DER gateway systems.
• Work with low voltage wiring, instrumentation and control wiring, and low voltage data and communication wiring.

Skills

Field engineering

DER communications

SCADA

Networking

Troubleshooting

Installation

Testing

Documentation

DNP3

Modbus

IEEE 2030.5

OpenADR

OPC

EIC 61850

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Engineering Technology, Telecommunications, Information Systems, or a related technical discipline (ABET‑accredited)

Professional Engineer (PE) license is a plus

Tools

Gateway hardware

Field test equipment

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.

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.