Transformer Reliability Engineer – Generation & Sparing

Socket.dev; Birmingham (AL); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Travel opportunities

Hybrid field/office work

Job summary

Southern Company seeks an experienced Transformer Engineer to support the Equipment Services team across the Southern Company footprint, focusing on generation facilities. You’ll work with plant personnel, project managers, system owners, and vendors to improve transformer reliability, maintenance, procurement and sparing strategies.

The role requires developing technical specs for power transformers, reviewing vendor documentation, and leading field/factory inspections.

Qualifications

• ABET-accredited Bachelor's Degree in Engineering is required.
• Professional Engineer license is preferred but not required.
• Experience with transformers is preferred.
• Experience in generation switchyards is preferred.
• Strong communication, presentation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to build professional relationships with internal and external clients.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safety and quality are the top priorities in all transformer-related activities.
• Provide engineering support to site transformer engineers, system owners, and project managers for transformer projects.
• Develop and maintain technical specifications for medium & large power transformers.
• Review and approve vendor drawings, factory test reports, and documentation to ensure compliance with Southern Company standards.
• Manage and witness factory inspections and acceptance testing during manufacturing of new transformers.
• Provide technical support for field and factory repairs, including failure analysis, replacement planning, and corrective actions.
• Support condition-based maintenance programs and reliability improvement initiatives.
• Lead failure investigations and root cause analysis for transformer events.
• Conduct quarterly switchyard meetings with generation sites to address transformer issues and fleet initiatives.
• Serve as owner of the Generator Step-Up (GSU) Sparing Strategy for the generation fleet.
• Develop and maintain the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Transformer Sparing Strategy.
• Participate in Fleet Review Board switchyard activities and provide transformer expertise.
• Own and maintain the generation transformer spare parts list.
• Ensure proper storage levels and inventory management at Forest Park and Calera warehouses to support all generation sites (retail and non-retail).
• Serve as the Transformer SME supporting the Operations Monitoring & Diagnostics (M&D) Center.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain Management (SCM) to ensure current and future transformer needs are aligned with project schedules and need dates.

Skills

Safety first

Engineering leadership

Oral and written communication

Presentation skills

Problem solving

Relationship building

Education

ABET-accredited Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Professional Engineer license preferred

Job description

Southern Company seeks an experienced Transformer Engineer to support the Equipment Services team across the Southern Company footprint, focusing on generation facilities. You’ll work with plant personnel, project managers, system owners, and vendors to improve transformer reliability, maintenance, procurement and sparing strategies.

The role requires developing technical specs for power transformers, reviewing vendor documentation, and leading field/factory inspections.