Senior- Principal Research Engineer

Description

Senior-Principal Research Engineer

Job Summary:

Southern Company seeks to further its industry leadership in the development, demonstration, and deployment of new Renewable (R), Energy Storage (S) and Distributed Generation (DG) technology. As a key member of the RSDG Research and Development team, this position is responsible for providing leadership and direction for the development of energy storage technologies. This includes the oversight of the R&D energy storage roadmap and portfolio designed to enable net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. This position is also accountable for leading a cross-functional team to provide project storage development and demonstration support. The position requires demonstrated capability leading and developing energy storage technology development and demonstration efforts.

Initial assignments will include managing storage projects across the system, interfacing with existing research team and others within the system to determine research needs and direction and working in a collaborative mode in the industry to assure research needs are being addressed. The work scope requires the incumbent to collaborate with the top experts in the industry, colleagues and contractors, as well as working independently reviewing technical information in journals, conference proceedings, patents, textbooks and other reference materials to identify, develop, validate, and demonstrate a portfolio of new storage technologies. Significant travel will be required.

Job Responsibilities & Accountabilities by Competency

Functional Expertise:

• Nationally or internationally known for energy storage technical expertise; invitee to speak at well-recognized conferences; invited to participate in large industry projects

• Lead cross-functional team to provide research support and business insights to ensure the efficient adoption of emerging energy storage technology.

• Develop, test and implement new energy storage technologies by leveraging available industry, private, and public resources to support different company initiatives and strategies as requested

• Executive level acumen and presence. Proven ability to produce pointed white papers on topics quickly when requested

Business Acumen:

• Strategy development including: program vision, funding, and project execution. Directs program area(s); uses other staff to carry out mission. Can 'run' a research project and seek funds and resources to carry out vision. Willing and able to handle multiple and complex projects at the same time.

• Be able to prioritize and attend to critical details and accurately scope out length and difficulty of tasks and projects to meet business goals

• Open to new ideas and new techniques and leverage them to positively impact business decisions and empower end users with appropriate knowledge

Engagement:

• Ability to establish effective work relationship with all levels of employees and customers

• Build and lead informal cross-functional teams to develop energy storage technology and tools and present project status and results timely and accurately to appropriate audience

• Ability to gain alignment with different opinions and represent a common point of view across multiple stakeholders

• Excellent oral and written communication and presentations skills

Driving Results:

• Entrepreneurial mindset, challenges status quo, innovator, self-assured, self-starter; strong initiative is an important attribute for this position

• Proven leadership and teambuilding skills, with the ability to build and foster productive, collaborative and inclusive work relationship to achieve personal and company goals

• Demonstrate the ability to manage multiple project simultaneously. Must be self-motivated with minimal supervision required

• Demonstrate a solid sense of accountability and experience identifying and resolving issues independently

• Reflect Southern Company values:

• Safety First: the safety of our employees and customers is paramount and we will perform every job, every day, safely.

• Unquestionable Trust: honesty, respect, fairness, and integrity drive our behavior.

• Superior Performance: we are dedicated to superior performance and will focus on innovative solutions to improve our business.

• Total Commitment: we are committed to the success of our employees and fully embrace, respect, and value our differences and diversity

Qualifications:

Education, Certifications/Licenses:

• Bachelor degree in Engineering or Science is required.

• Advanced degree (M.S., PhD) strongly preferred

Related Work Experience:

Required:

• 7 years of applicable working experience in energy storage, preferably in support of the electric utility industry

Preferred:

• Minimum 10 years of experience involving project management and/or energy storage project development

Applicant may possess a combination of equivalent education and work experience.

Specific Skills & Knowledge:

Required:

• Demonstrated technical leadership in energy storage subject matter areas. Proven independent technical expert with consulting experience. Proven industry leadership through participation on industry committees and task forces.

• Strong technology and business acumen with a working knowledge and understanding of energy business operations and drivers.

• Ability to conduct techno/economic analysis for presentation to senior leadership.

• Ability to develop relationships and positively persuade others throughout the organization at all levels.

Preferred:

• Creativity in solving unconventional problems, entrepreneurial drive to learn new skills and technologies

• Demonstrated relationship management experience

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

• This position may be located in either Birmingham, AL or Atlanta, GA and some relocation assistance will be available if the selected candidate currently resides outside the area.

BENEFITS

• Competitive Pay

• Excellent benefits packages which includes:

• Medical and dental coverage

• Defined Pension/Cash Balance Benefit Plan

• Performance-sharing plan

• 401(k) plan with a generous company match

• Bonus opportunities

• Tuition Reimbursement

Please submit an updated resume with your application.

Southern Company at http://www.southerncompany.com/ (NYSE: SO at http://investor.southerncompany.com/stockquote.cfm ) is America’s premier energy company, with 46,000 megawatts of generating capacity and 1,500 billion cubic feet of combined natural gas consumption and throughput volume serving 9 million electric and gas utility customers through its subsidiaries. The company provides clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy through electric utilities in four states, natural gas distribution utilities in seven states, a competitive generation company serving wholesale customers across America and a national recognized provider of customized energy solutions, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications. Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and affordable prices that are below the national average. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, Southern Company and its subsidiaries are inventing America’s energy future by developing the full portfolio of energy resources, including carbon-free nuclear, 21st century coal, natural gas, renewables and energy efficiency, and creating new products and services for the benefit of customers. Southern Company has been named by the U.S. Department of Defense and G.I. Jobs magazine as a top military employer, recognized among the Top 50 Companies for Diversity by DiversityInc, listed by Black Enterprise magazine as one of the 40 Best Companies for Diversity and designated a Top Employer for Hispanics by Hispanic Network. The company has earned a National Award of Nuclear Science and History from the National Atomic Museum Foundation for its leadership and commitment to nuclear development and is continually ranked among the top utilities in Fortune’s annual World's Most Admired Electric and Gas Utility rankings. Visit our website at www.southerncompany.com at http://www.southerncompany.com/ .

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. #LI

Job Field: Engineering

Job Type: Standard

Primary Location: Alabama-Metro Birmingham/Eastern AL-Birmingham

Operating Company: Southern Company Services

Other Locations: Georgia-Metro Atlanta-Atlanta

Job Type: Standard

Travel (Up to...): Yes, 50 % of the Time

Work Location(s):

APC Corporate Headquarters - 600 North 18th Street (600BIRMINGHAM)

600 North 18th Street

Birmingham, 35203

Georgia Power Headquarters - 241 Ralph McGill Blvd. NE (241ATLANTA)

241 Ralph McGill Blvd. NE

Atlanta, 30308

Req ID: SCS2009072