Project Development Engineer (PDE) – Electrical Design and Power Distribution
Southern Company, Durham, NC, United States
Overview
The Project Development Engineer (PDE) serves as a technical resource for the Data Center Solutions team, supporting pre‑sale project scoping, system design, and technical proposal development for mission‑critical electrical infrastructure. The PDE provides engineering and application expertise to align proposed designs with customer intent, applicable codes, and operational requirements, focusing on data center electrical and mechanical infrastructure—including medium‑voltage switchgear, low‑voltage distribution, UPS, battery systems, generators, and mechanical integration—to ensure robust, scalable, and cost‑effective solutions.
Qualifications
BS in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, or related technical discipline.
5+ years of experience in data center, power generation, or critical infrastructure design, or as an electrical application/development engineer in related industries.
Proficiency in AutoCAD (preferred), Revit, or similar design platforms.
Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Office and ERP tools.
Ability to develop conceptual and schematic design packages (e.g., single‑line diagrams, layouts, riser diagrams, PUE/energy models).
Strong understanding of data center electrical systems including medium‑voltage distribution (5–38kV), low‑voltage switchgear, PDU, and RPP systems; UPS and battery energy storage systems; standby generator and paralleling switchgear; automatic transfer systems and mechanical interfaces.
Familiarity with ASHRAE TC9.9, Uptime Institute tiers, and data center cooling topologies.
Proficiency in NEC, IEEE, NFPA 70E, and IEC standards relevant to mission‑critical environments.
Working knowledge of power system studies (SKM, ETAP) – short circuit, coordination, arc flash.
Ability to interpret specifications and drawings to define project scope, schedule, risk, and deliverables.
Experience with utility coordination, interconnection studies, and redundancy design (N+1, 2N) a plus.
Demonstrated skills in cost estimation, proposal development, and vendor technical evaluation.
Strong strategic and analytical thinking, attention to detail, and process orientation.
Excellent communication and presentation skills; ability to interact with clients, contractors, and internal teams.
Passion for contributing to a fast‑paced, high‑growth engineering environment focused on energy resiliency and data center innovation.
Essential Functions
Develop technical scopes, budgets, and conceptual designs during pre‑sales development.
Collaborate with Sales, Product Engineering, Construction Engineer or Outside Engineer of Record, Manufacturing, and Estimating to ensure project alignment.
Prepare technical narratives, equipment selections, and basis‑of‑design documentation.
Support customer and consultant engagement, including design review meetings and technical presentations.
Review specifications, vendor submittals, and drawings for compliance.
Provide post‑sale technical support to Project Managers and field teams.
Maintain familiarity with emerging technologies (liquid cooling, modular data centers, microgrids).
Travel occasionally to client sites and partner facilities (
Physical Demands
Limited travel required ( Extended computer use required.
Key Performance Metrics
Accuracy and completeness of project scopes and estimates.
Timeliness of deliverables.
Technical quality of proposals and documentation.
Collaboration effectiveness with Sales and Project Execution teams.
Contribution to successful project awards and client satisfaction.
Benefits
Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage.
Competitive pay and a matching 401(k) plan.
Vacation, company holidays, paid time off (PTO – personal and sick days).
Flexible spending accounts/Health savings account.
Wellness incentive programs.
Employee referral program.
Tuition reimbursement.
Equity and Opportunity Statement
PowerSecure 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. This position is not open to third party recruiters.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
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The Project Development Engineer (PDE) serves as a technical resource for the Data Center Solutions team, supporting pre‑sale project scoping, system design, and technical proposal development for mission‑critical electrical infrastructure. The PDE provides engineering and application expertise to align proposed designs with customer intent, applicable codes, and operational requirements, focusing on data center electrical and mechanical infrastructure—including medium‑voltage switchgear, low‑voltage distribution, UPS, battery systems, generators, and mechanical integration—to ensure robust, scalable, and cost‑effective solutions.
Qualifications
BS in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, or related technical discipline.
5+ years of experience in data center, power generation, or critical infrastructure design, or as an electrical application/development engineer in related industries.
Proficiency in AutoCAD (preferred), Revit, or similar design platforms.
Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Office and ERP tools.
Ability to develop conceptual and schematic design packages (e.g., single‑line diagrams, layouts, riser diagrams, PUE/energy models).
Strong understanding of data center electrical systems including medium‑voltage distribution (5–38kV), low‑voltage switchgear, PDU, and RPP systems; UPS and battery energy storage systems; standby generator and paralleling switchgear; automatic transfer systems and mechanical interfaces.
Familiarity with ASHRAE TC9.9, Uptime Institute tiers, and data center cooling topologies.
Proficiency in NEC, IEEE, NFPA 70E, and IEC standards relevant to mission‑critical environments.
Working knowledge of power system studies (SKM, ETAP) – short circuit, coordination, arc flash.
Ability to interpret specifications and drawings to define project scope, schedule, risk, and deliverables.
Experience with utility coordination, interconnection studies, and redundancy design (N+1, 2N) a plus.
Demonstrated skills in cost estimation, proposal development, and vendor technical evaluation.
Strong strategic and analytical thinking, attention to detail, and process orientation.
Excellent communication and presentation skills; ability to interact with clients, contractors, and internal teams.
Passion for contributing to a fast‑paced, high‑growth engineering environment focused on energy resiliency and data center innovation.
Essential Functions
Develop technical scopes, budgets, and conceptual designs during pre‑sales development.
Collaborate with Sales, Product Engineering, Construction Engineer or Outside Engineer of Record, Manufacturing, and Estimating to ensure project alignment.
Prepare technical narratives, equipment selections, and basis‑of‑design documentation.
Support customer and consultant engagement, including design review meetings and technical presentations.
Review specifications, vendor submittals, and drawings for compliance.
Provide post‑sale technical support to Project Managers and field teams.
Maintain familiarity with emerging technologies (liquid cooling, modular data centers, microgrids).
Travel occasionally to client sites and partner facilities (
Physical Demands
Limited travel required ( Extended computer use required.
Key Performance Metrics
Accuracy and completeness of project scopes and estimates.
Timeliness of deliverables.
Technical quality of proposals and documentation.
Collaboration effectiveness with Sales and Project Execution teams.
Contribution to successful project awards and client satisfaction.
Benefits
Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage.
Competitive pay and a matching 401(k) plan.
Vacation, company holidays, paid time off (PTO – personal and sick days).
Flexible spending accounts/Health savings account.
Wellness incentive programs.
Employee referral program.
Tuition reimbursement.
Equity and Opportunity Statement
PowerSecure 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. This position is not open to third party recruiters.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
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