Application Developer or Engineer
Application Developer or Engineer
Job Description
The Southern Company Energy Management Systems (EMS) department seeks a full-time application developer to technically design, develop, and support innovative business solutions. The ideal candidate will possess foundational knowledge in full-stack application development, SQL databases, and software development life cycle processes. The role offers the opportunity to be part of a dynamic team, leveraging open-source frameworks and vendor products. The level of the position will be tailored to match the skills and experience of the successful applicant.
The day-to-day responsibilities will include all aspects of application development including enhancement of existing applications, bug fixes and security updates, development of innovative solutions, database schema design, support for standard and custom components, and application configuration and maintenance. In addition, this position will develop data flows using an enterprise Extract Transform Load (ETL) tool to support various business data requirements. This position requires knowledge of full-stack web application development, SQL databases, and software development life cycle processes. The ideal candidate will excel in advanced software development practices, innovating, and implementing solutions to meet customer’s needs. This includes utilizing Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD), Git, scripting, API interactions, and upholding the highest standards of code quality.
This is a hybrid position, located in Birmingham, Alabama and will be filled at a level dependent upon the skills and experience of the successful candidate. The successful candidate must have strong analytical skills and be able to successfully work within a fast-paced, diverse team supporting critical operational functions of Southern Company.
Job Responsibilities
Become familiar with Power Coordination Center and Operating Company Control Center operations to create and maintain applications that meet user needs and requirements
Develop and support applications with complex business requirements including custom data interfaces, security and compliance regulations, and standards from electric industry groups
Develop and enhance applications and data interfaces to support various business initiatives and government regulations across the changing Southern Company transmission and distribution systems
Develop data flows and support the EMS department’s Extract Transform Load (ETL) tool, CloverDX and OSI Monarch EITK
Provide on call support (24x7x365) in a team rotation for the mission critical solutions
Develop and deploy application changes using JetBrains IntelliJ IDE, SonarQube code analysis, Sonatype Nexus suite, GitHub Enterprise source code management and similar software development tools.
Provide application infrastructure and services support for the applications and tools we develop.
Work with database administrators to create and update database schemas and manage complex data models in in Microsoft SQL Server
Manage changes to production solutions using Change Management practices including source code management, creation of formal deployment procedures and back-out plans, quality testing, documentation, etc.
Adhere to all Corporate and EMS guidelines, policies, and established work practices.
Experience & Education
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Software Engineering, Management of Information Systems, or related software development disciplines
-or-
4+ years of full-time equivalent work experience in software engineering in real-time computing environments
Master’s degree is a plus
Required Knowledge and Skills
Technical proficiency with Java, JavaScript, Python, HTML5, JDBC, REST and SOAP APIs
Critical thinking and problem solving
Knowledge of software requirements definition, analysis, design, implementation, maintenance, and change management methodologies
Knowledge of various software development techniques including object-oriented design patterns
Knowledge of traditional, Agile, and DevOps software development lifecycle methods
Knowledge of secure software development best practices
Knowledge of web development technologies, architectures, and software development tools
Knowledge of relational database requirements analysis, schema design, and query construction
Ability to directly interact with and guide internal customers
Organizational skills to plan and carry out system projects
Strong written and verbal communication skills (understand customer requirements, interact with customers, provide verbal presentations, and create training and support documents, specifications, and action plans)
Interpersonal skills (work directly with multiple levels of Company personnel including development, operations, security, and compliance personnel, general management, external software vendors, and staff and management from other electric utility entities)
Desired Knowledge and Skills
Knowledge of real-time computing solutions for the control, monitoring, and administration of bulk electric system operations
Knowledge of relational database programming and performance tuning skills. Experience with SQL Server 2019+ preferred.
Knowledge of software development and CI/CD environments/tools (such as JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA, Maven, Jenkins, SonarQube, and Nexus Repository)
Knowledge of Windows-based and UNIX-based application server platforms, including packaging and deployment tools
Knowledge of local area network and wide area network communication
Knowledge of ETL tools, including CloverDX and OSI EITK
Technical proficiency with Bootstrap, Vue 3, Spring, Spring Boot, Node, Apache Tomcat, and Apache Webserver
Technical proficiency of Python with a strong grasp of its syntax, semantics, and standard library.
Knowledge of data historians such as AVEVA PI System or working with time-series data
Behavioral Attributes
Exhibit Our Values (Safety First, Intentional Inclusion, Act with Integrity, and Superior Performance) in all business dealings
Self-motivated with attention to details, accuracy, follow-up, and continuous learning
Exercise independent judgment and discretion
Experience with and an eagerness to work within a structured development process with strong change management controls
Contribute to the team dynamic by sharing experiences, valuing differences, developing relationships, and building trust with peers, supervisor, and management
Desire to grow in Southern Company’s Leadership Competencies (Business Execution, Communication, Relationships & Networking, Innovation, Development of Others, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion)
Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million residential and commercial 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 infrastructure company 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 our customers’ and communities’ needs while advancing our commitment to net zero 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 and hiring practices have earned the company national awards and recognition from numerous organizations, including Forbes, Military Times, DiversityInc, Black Enterprise, J.D. Power, Fortune, Human Rights Campaign and more. To learn more, visit 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.
Job Identification: 8206
Job Category: Engineering
Job Schedule: Full time
Company: Southern Company Services