Tucker, GA, USA | Salary | 99,360-189,300 per year | Full Time
Principal Engineer
Lead the Systems That Support Georgia's Real-Time Grid Operations
Georgia System Operations Corporation (GSOC) is seeking a Principal Engineer to provide senior technical leadership for the Energy Control System (ECS) and the critical applications, hardware, software, and infrastructure that support real-time grid operations.
This role has overall responsibility for the security and operational readiness of GSOC's Energy Control System environment, including systems used by Transmission, Generation, Interchange, and Scheduling Member Operations.
As a Principal Engineer, you will advise on ECS performance, backup, maintainability, security, system availability, and operational resilience while providing direction during urgent or emergency system events.
This opportunity is ideal for an experienced utility technology leader who can combine deep EMS/SCADA knowledge, application and system support expertise, security awareness, and strong technical judgment in a mission-critical control center environment.
What You'll Do
As a Principal Engineer, you will play a key role in supporting the availability, reliability, maintainability, and cybersecurity readiness of systems that support GSOC's real-time operations.
You will:
Lead application and system restoration, problem resolution, and operational recovery for ECS hardware, software, applications, and data.
Direct associates, contractors, and vendors through urgent problem resolution to maximize availability for system operators.
Manage security devices, firewalls, and external connections that protect ECS systems and data.
Coordinate with ECS system and database administrators to support compliance with ECS security policies.
Monitor ECS systems for electronic intrusion and coordinate required communications if a cyber security event occurs.
Manage backup processes for ECS data, servers, and applications to support timely recovery after system events.
Recommend hardware, software, monitoring tools, and system performance solutions to support ECS reliability and maintainability.
Provide configuration and system support for critical ECS applications, including ICCP, PNA, AGC, EDC, PI Historical Archive Server, and Dispatcher Training Simulator.
Manage, develop, administer, and tune ECS systems to meet performance and security objectives and maximize availability for system operators.
Manage ECS PCs, including installation, setup, unauthorized software scans, and controls that restrict software installation on critical machines.
Provide mentoring and training to System Operators, application users, and GSOC/CRO staff on ECS applications.
Coordinate installation of security patches, software upgrades, and hardware/software upgrades for ECS systems.
Participate in the review and approval of software changes, test plans, and software promotion requests.
This senior role may also require decisive action during emergency conditions when ECS availability, security, or performance is threatened.
What You Bring
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering.
Ten years of experience in an on-call software and hardware support role for a utility Energy Management System.
Four years of software development experience with increasing responsibility for the continuous operation of developed software.
Strong experience supporting and administering systems in Unix, Windows NT, and IP-based network environments is desirable.
Professional Engineer certification, Bulk Electric System Cyber Authorized status, and NERC Reliability Standard Personnel Risk Assessment status are required or must be maintained as applicable.
Excellent organizational skills, customer communication skills, and team communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications Energy Management Systems & Real-Time Applications
Solid experience providing 24x7 support for GE XA/21 Energy Management and Java applications.
Experience with utility-specific EMS/SCADA systems, real-time control systems, relational database applications, transaction-based applications, or web-based development.
Experience supporting critical ECS applications such as ICCP, PNA, AGC, EDC, PI Historical Archive Server, and Dispatcher Training Simulator.
Programming, Systems & Database Expertise
Solid experience with C programming.
Expertise in two or more of the following: C++, VB, Unix AIX shell programming, SQL, or Java.
Experience with AIX administration, Linux, Windows NT/XP, Sybase, Oracle, XML, COM/DCOM, data communications protocols, or TCP/IP network communications.
Experience with software and database modeling tools such as Rational Rose or System Architect, UML, and object-oriented design and analysis.
Security, Project Management & Operational Support
Experience with firewall management, system security, application and system design, testing, deployment, and support.
Experience in project management for application development-related projects and knowledge of Microsoft Project.
Experience supporting control center or utility environments where systems must remain available, secure, and maintainable.
Leveling Overview
Principal Engineer - Senior technical expert responsible for leading security, performance, system availability, restoration, backup, and maintainability of the Energy Control System and related critical applications.
This role advises leadership, mentors technical and operations staff, coordinates vendors and internal resources, and provides technical direction during urgent or emergency system conditions.
Additional Role Expectations
Due to the critical nature and continuous operation of the Control Center, this role participates in an on-call rotation.
While on call, the role must be able to report to the office within one hour.
The role is required to assist with timely and cost-effective resolution of ECS problems whenever contacted.
The on-call support function is responsible for correcting problems, implementing workarounds, or devising workarounds to support continued operations.
Advantages of Working at GSOC
Working at GSOC means more than just a job--it's an opportunity to contribute to work that truly matters.
Mission-Driven Impact
Your work directly supports the systems and applications used to operate Georgia's electric grid in real time.
Critical Systems Leadership
Lead high-impact technical work across energy management systems, control center applications, cybersecurity controls, backup and recovery, and system performance.
Strong Values and Professional Standards
Work in an environment grounded in accountability, collaboration, integrity, and continuous improvement where reliability, security, and operational excellence are core priorities.
Work Environment & Benefits
GSOC offers a professional, collaborative work environment with competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and a commitment to creating a respectful and inclusive workplace.
Benefits include, but are not limited to: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) Match, Parental Leave, Educational Assistance, Annual Performance Bonus, Paid Time Off, and Volunteer Time Off.
Why Join GSOC
At GSOC, your work helps ensure the Energy Control System and related mission-critical tools remain secure, available, and reliable for real-time operations.
You'll collaborate with experienced engineering, operations, technology, and vendor partners in a mission-driven environment focused on reliability, security, performance, and continuous improvement.
Apply Today
If you're ready to apply your Energy Management System, application support, system administration, and cybersecurity expertise to a senior technical role supporting critical electric grid operations, we encourage you to apply.
