OPERATIONS DATA ENGINEERING ANALYST
JOB SUMMARY
This position will function as part of the Southern Power Monitoring & Diagnostics (M&D) Center, which
provides remote monitoring and diagnostic support to the SPC fleet of gas, solar, wind, and energy storage assets.
The Operations Data Engineering Analyst supports both operational data infrastructure and AI/ML data readiness. The role assists the PI System Administrator with daily operation, maintenance, and expansion/migration of SPC’s AVEVA PI and AspenTech IP.21 historian environments, including tag
management, Asset Framework (AF) configuration, analytics deployment, PI Vision development, data quality monitoring, and proactive remediation. The role also extracts, transforms, curates, and delivers clean,
structured datasets from PI and IP.21 into downstream data engineering platforms such as Databricks to support M&D’s growing AI and machine learning portfolio, including iSight anomaly detection, predictive analytics models, and AI agents.
In short, this role owns the data journey from raw sensor ingestion in PI through curated, AI-ready datasets
—_ ensuring the M&D team always has trusted, high-quality, well-engineered data to power both real-time monitoring and advanced analytics._
This position will closely interface with the Aveva PI/ AspenTech IP.21 System Administrator, M&D Analysts, AI/ML Analysts, Renewable Performance Engineers, Renewable, Gas, and Commercial Operations, the SPC Technology Organization, SCADA teams, and plant personnel.
MAJOR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
PI/IP.21 System Support
- Tag Management — SupportthePI/IP.21Administratorinthecreation,modification,scaling,and
decommissioning of PI/IP.21 tags across gas, solar, wind, and energy storage assets. Ensure tag naming conventions, point types, and compression settings are consistent with fleet-wide standards.
- Asset Framework (AF) Configuration — Create,modify,anddeleteAFelements,attributes,templates, and hierarchies to reflect fleet changes (new sites, equipment swaps, decommissions). Maintain AF structureintegrityacrossallOEMs(solarinverters,windturbines,gasturbines,batteries,andBOP equipment).
- AF Analytics Deployment — Develop,test,anddeployPIAFAnalytics(calculatedattributes,rollup expressions, eventframes)in testandproductionenvironments. Validate analytic outputsagainst expected results prior to production deployment.
- Data Quality Monitoring & Proactive Remediation — ContinuouslymonitordataqualityacrossPIand IP.21 platforms — identifying stale tags, flatlined signals, bad values, communication failures, scalingerrors,andmissingdata.Proactivelyremediateissuesbeforetheyimpactdownstreamanalytics, dashboards, or AI models. Support data surrogation processes where needed.
- PI Vision Development & Maintenance — Design, develop, and maintain real-time PI Vision screens and dashboardsforfleetmonitoring,equipmenthealth,dataquality,andKPItracking.Updatedisplaysasnew sites are onboarded or fleet configurations change.
- Site Onboarding Support — AssistthePI/IP.21Administratorwithintegratingnewgenerationandstorage sites into the PI/IP.21 System, including interface/connector configuration, tag provisioning, AF buildout, initial data validation, and PI Vision screen creation.
- Data Query Support for Other Teams — Serve as a resource for operations, performance, and analytics teamswhoneedtoextractdatafromPI/IP.21.ProvidesupportandguidanceusingPIDataLink,IP.21Excel Connector, Python, SQL, PI Web API, and PI Connect to enable self-service data access and integration
with downstream tools.
- Troubleshooting — Assistindiagnosingandresolvingdataflowissues,interfacecommunicationfailures, archivegaps,andsystemerrorswithinthePIandIP.21environments.Escalateinfrastructure-levelissues to the PI/IP.21 Administrator or IT as appropriate.
Data Engineering & AI/ML Data Readiness
- Dataset Curation & Cleaning — Buildandmaintainrepeatabledatacurationpipelinesthatclean, validate,deduplicate,aligntimestamps,handlemissingvalues,andresolvedataqualityissues—
producing trusted, well-documented datasets for AI/ML model training and inference in Databricks.
- AI/ML Data Requirements Engineering — Partner directly with theAI/MLAnalyst tounderstand model inputrequirements,featuredefinitions,labelingschemas,datafrequencyneeds,andqualitythresholds.
Translate these requirements into actionable data engineering tasks and deliver datasets that meet model specifications.
- Model-Ready Data Validation — ValidatecurateddatasetsagainstAImodelinputspecifications—
checking for completeness, balance, feature drift, outliers, and schema compliance in/outside Databricks. Flag and resolve data issues before they enter training or inference pipelines.
- Pipeline Monitoring & Maintenance — Monitorhealthandperformanceofdatapipelines,alertingon failures, latency, ordata quality degradation.Continuously improve pipeline efficiency, reliability, and scalability as the fleet and AI use cases grow.
Collaboration & Continuous Improvement
- Cross-Functional Collaboration — BuildandmaintainstrongworkingrelationshipswiththePI/IP.21
Administrator, AI/ML Analysts, M&D Analysts, Renewables Performance Engineers, Renewable, Gas, and Commercial Operations, SCADA teams, Technology Organization developers, and plant personnel.
- Documentation — MaintainthoroughdocumentationofPIconfigurations,AFstructures,taginventories, data pipeline architectures, dataset catalogs, and standard operating procedures.
- Best Practices & Lessons Learned — Incorporateindustrybestpractices,lessonslearned,andfeedback into daily operations. Participate in fleet-wide standardization efforts and data governance initiatives.
- Continuous Learning — StaycurrentonAVEVAPISystemupdates,dataengineeringbestpractices (Databricks), AI/ML pipeline methodologies, and relevant industry trends.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Education
- Bachelor'sdegreeinEngineering(Electrical,Computer,InstrumentationsandControls),Computer Science, Data Science, or a related technical field — required.
- Master'sdegreeinEngineering(Electrical,Computer,Instrumentation&Controls),ComputerScience, Data Science, or a related technical field - preferred.
Experience
Required
- PI System Hands-On: 2-3yearsofhands-onexperiencewithAVEVAPISystem,includingPIDataArchive, PI Asset Framework (AF), PI Vision, and PI Interfaces/Connectors.
- Python: ProficientinPythonfordataextraction,transformation,pipelinedevelopment,andautomation (Pandas, NumPy, Web API calls, scripting).
- SQL: ProficientinSQLfordataquerying,integration,andmanipulationacrossrelationaldatabasesand data platforms.
- Data Engineering Platform: FamiliarwithDatabricks,ApacheSpark,orequivalentdataengineering platforms — including ETL/ELT pipeline development, Delta Lake, and feature store concepts.
- Data Quality & Governance: Experiencewithdataqualitymonitoring,validation,remediation,and surrogation in an operational/industrial context.
Preferred
- PI Data Access Tools: WorkingknowledgeofPIDataLink,PIWebAPI,andPIConnectfordataextraction and downstream integration.
- PI AF Analytics: ExperiencedevelopinganddeployingAFAnalytics,calculatedattributes,eventframes, and notifications.
- AI/ML Pipeline Understanding: FoundationalunderstandingofMLmodeldeploymentpipelines— includingfeatureengineering,datalabeling,modeltrainingdatarequirements,andinferencedata delivery.
- Data Visualization / BI: ExperiencewithPowerBI,Tableau,orsimilarBItoolsfordashboarddevelopment and operational reporting.
- Energy Sector: Experienceinpowergeneration,renewables,orutilitiesoperations.
Plus
- Other Data Historians: ExperiencewithAspenTechIP.21, dataPARC,eDNA etc.
- SCADA Systems: FamiliaritywithIgnition/otherSCADAsystems.
- Communications Protocols: OPCDA/UA,DNP3,Modbusprotocolsanddataacquisitionarchitectures.
- PI Accreditation: AVEVA/OSIsoftPISystemaccreditation.
BEHAVIORAL ATTRIBUTES
- Mustbeabletomaketimelydecisions,applyseasonedjudgment,anddisplaypersonalresponsibility.
- DemonstrateSouthernCompanyValues:SafetyFirst,IntentionalInclusion,ActwithIntegrity,and Superior Performance.
- Beateamplayer—abletoquicklybuildgood,productiveworkingrelationshipswiththePI Administrator, AI/ML team, operations teams, and technology partners.
- Detail-orientedandproactive—anticipatedataqualityissuesbeforetheyimpactdownstream consumers.
- Results-orientedself-starterthatcanworkindependentlywhilecontributingtoteamobjectives.
- Creativelysolveissues,thinkoutsidethebox,andfindinnovativewaystobridgeoperationaldataand AI/ML requirements.
- Intellectuallycurious—eagertolearnnewtools,platforms,andmethodologiesacrossbothPISystem administration and data engineering domains.
Southern Power , a subsidiary of Southern Company, is a leading U.S. wholesale energy provider meeting the electricity needs of municipalities, electric cooperatives, investor-owned utilities, and other energy customers. Southern Power and its subsidiaries own 55 facilities operating or under construction in 14 states with more than 12,500 MW of generating capacity in Alabama, California, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Maine, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, West Virginia, and Washington.
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: 22595
Job Category: Renewable Energy
Job Schedule: Full time
Company: Southern Power
