The Generation OT Network Engineer designs, implements, commissions, and supports secure, reliable operational technology network infrastructure across Southern Company Generation facilities. The role supports new generation, renewable, battery storage, repower, and lifecycle projects while sustaining connectivity for existing plant operations.
General Job Responsibilities:
- Design standardized OT network architectures for control systems, SCADA, DCS, historians, relays, remote operations, and vendor systems.
- Engineer routing, switching, segmentation, firewalls, redundancy, secure remote access, and controlled data flows.
- Configure, install, test, and commission switches, routers, firewalls, and related equipment at generation sites.
- Support factory and site acceptance testing, cutovers, outages, equipment replacements, and project turnover.
- Troubleshoot outages and degraded communications using end-to-end packet, traffic, routing, switching, firewall, and protocol analysis.
- Execute changes through required planning, risk review, validation, rollback, documentation, and closure processes.
- Apply Generation cybersecurity requirements and applicable NERC CIP controls to OT network work.
- Maintain diagrams, IP records, firewall documentation, configurations, backups, inventories, reports, and lifecycle plans.
- Partner with plant personnel, project teams, cybersecurity, Technology Organization groups, engineering firms, OEMs, and vendors.
- Provide escalation support and participate in an after-hours or on-call rotation as assigned.
Job Requirements:
- Working knowledge of Ethernet, TCP/IP, subnetting, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, LAN/WAN design, routing, switching, VPNs, redundancy, and network security.
- Hands-on experience configuring and troubleshooting Cisco routing and switching platforms and enterprise or industrial firewalls.
- Experience with OSPF, BGP, and packet-analysis tools such as Wireshark.
- Ability to troubleshoot complete communication paths across network devices, servers, control systems, and secure data-transfer boundaries.
- Ability to read and develop network diagrams, rack layouts, and technical implementation documentation.
- Strong planning, analytical, documentation, communication, and customer-service skills.
- Ability to manage concurrent field, operational, and project priorities.
Competencies:
- Network architecture design and implementation.
- End-to-end network troubleshooting and protocol analysis.
- Change planning, risk review, validation, rollback, documentation, and closure.
- Technical documentation and configuration management.
- Cross-functional collaboration with plant personnel, project teams, cybersecurity groups, engineering firms, OEMs, and vendors.
- Customer service, communication, analytical thinking, and management of concurrent priorities.
Education & Experience:
- A bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, Networking, or a related technical field is preferred. An associate degree, relevant certifications, and directly applicable experience may be considered.
- Typically 3–5 years of progressively responsible network engineering or administration experience with switches, routers, and firewalls.
- Experience in OT, industrial control, SCADA, utility, power-generation, or critical-infrastructure environments is preferred.
- Experience with Palo Alto firewalls; DNP3, Modbus, OPC, ICCP, historian connectivity, data diodes, relays, or RTAC communications is preferred.
- Network automation or scripting experience for configuration, backup, validation, or reporting is preferred.
- Relevant Cisco, Palo Alto, networking, or cybersecurity certifications are preferred.
Additional Requirements:
- The successful candidate will reside in either Birmingham, AL or Atlanta, GA. Some relocation assistance may be available if you do not already live within a reasonable commute distance
- The successful candidate must be able to travel up to 25%, including overnight travel, and will be expected to work onsite a minimum of four days per week at their assigned work location.
- The successful candidate must provide escalation support and participate in an after-hours and on-call support rotation as needed.
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: 21651
Job Category: Engineering
Job Schedule: Full time
Company: Southern Company Services
