Transmission Planning Overview
This is one of the most exciting and transformative periods in recent history for the power industry. We are evaluating and implementing clean, safe, reliable, and affordable solutions to power the communities we serve. With significant economic growth across our region, Transmission Planning plays a critical and highly visible role by designing a reliable, flexible, and resilient transmission grid that meets both today’s needs and tomorrow’s challenges.
At Southern Company, Transmission Planning encompasses all aspects of planning the transmission system for our retail electric utilities in Alabama (APC), Georgia (GPC), and Mississippi (MPC). Each team has specialized responsibilities, yet we operate in a deeply collaborative and cross‑functional environment. We are committed to supporting career growth and personal development, enabling employees to build deep technical expertise and broad leadership capabilities across multiple areas of interest.
As a vertically integrated utility, our planners also work closely with teams across all major business sectors of our company. This unique, enterprise‑wide exposure makes today an especially exciting time to help shape the future of our energy system.
This position is intended to be primarily located in Atlanta, GA, with possible limited travel required between APC, GPC, and MPC locations.
Job Description: Transmission Planning (Expansion Plannin g) – Project Manager, Regulatory & Compliance Support
This technical Project Manager in the Regulatory & Compliance Support team within Transmission Planning (Expansion Planning) is responsible for leading, coordinating, and managing regulatory, compliance, and governance activities that Transmission Planning supports across the footprint of the Southern Company’s electric retail utilities with a special focus on the Integrated Transmission System (ITS) of Georgia. This role ensures that transmission planning processes, studies, and deliverables are compliant with applicable reliability standards, regulatory requirements, and internal governance frameworks, while supporting long‑term planning initiatives and external regulatory engagement.
This position serves as a project, process, and technical leader, working closely with other transmission planning teams, grid transformation, regulatory affairs, and system operations to ensure planning activities are technically sound, procedurally defensible, and appropriately documented for both internal decision‑making processes and public disclosure.
Primary Job Responsibilities
Regulatory & External Support
- Support the development, coordination, and review of regulatory filings, data requests, and responses related to transmission planning (e.g., IRP materials, Ten‑Year transmission Plans, supporting project documentation).
- Help ensure all externally shared transmission planning information is accurate, consistent, and compliant with disclosure requirements.
- Support regulatory proceedings by organizing technical content, coordinating internal reviews, and ensuring timely responses.
Long‑Term & Strategic Planning Support
- Support development of Ten‑Year transmission Plans, including assumptions, methodologies, project evaluations, and supporting narratives.
- Coordinate transmission planning inputs into IRPs and other long‑range planning processes.
- Assist with evaluating and documenting strategic transmission projects as well as emerging regulatory considerations impacting Transmission Planning (Expansion Planning) activities.
Compliance & Planning Procedures
- Support application and maintenance of Transmission Planning (Expansion Planning) procedures are aligned with NERC Reliability Standards.
- Ensure Transmission Planning (Expansion Planning) methodologies, assumptions, and processes are clearly documented and consistently applied.
- Assist with audits, reviews, and compliance inquiries by preparing documentation, technical explanations, and relevant technical context.
Industry Engagement and Leadership :
- Shape the electric industry nationally and regionally by engaging and leading industry initiatives, regulatory efforts, and compliance committees (e.g. NERC Standard Drafting Teams)
- Collaborate with internal regulatory teams and external research and industry partners such as EPRI and EIPC.
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from an ABET‑accredited institution is required
- Master’s degree in engineering, business, or finance is preferred
- Professional Engineering (PE) license is preferred
Work Experience
- Minimum 3 years of electric utility planning experience is required
- Experience with electric utility regulatory or policy tasks is required
- Transmission planning experience is strongly preferred
- Experience building electric utility grid models is strongly preferred (i.e. PSSE, PowerWorld, etc.)
- Experience with the Georgia ITS is strongly preferred
- Experience supporting compliance with NERC Reliability Standards is preferred
- Experience supporting regulatory filings, IRP processes, or transmission planning documentation is preferred
Skills and Knowledge
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills for internal and external meetings and presentations
- Ability to influence and engage in settings with diverse and sometimes competing viewpoints
- Adaptability and collaborative problem‑solving skills
- Ability to interpret complex study results and provide guidance to senior leadership
- Strong understanding of IRP regulatory processes
- Familiarity with FERC transmission policy
- Understanding of Georgia ITS governance and approval processes
- Familiarity with power system modeling, planning, and operations
- Strong analytical and data interpretation skills
- Ability to evaluate decisions across multiple operating companies and business functions
Behavioral Attributes
- Strong customer focus
- Self‑motivated, results‑driven, and innovative
- Strong leadership, influence, and strategic thinking capabilities
- Adaptable; able to implement new processes and manage change
- Detail‑oriented with strong problem‑solving skills
- Dedicated to process improvement, team development, and mentorship
- Demonstrates Southern Company’s “Our Values”
About Southern Company
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.
Job Identification: 17679
Job Category: Engineering
Job Schedule: Full time
Company: Southern Company Services
