Network / Systems Engineer 4, Forest Park, GA

• Responsible for the design, configuration, implementation, support and technical consultation for the communication network of the organization, as well as for the development of technical standards and interface applications.
• Includes expertise in 1or more of the following: voice and data networks or wireless services and network security disciplines to include firewalls, centralized management schemes such as system updates, patch distributions, log analysis and report generation, VPN (Virtual Private Networks) and IPS (Intrusion Prevention Systems)., * The Fiber Optic Planning Analyst provides analytical, technical, and planning support for the engineering design and deployment of fiber optic infrastructure across the Company's transmission and distribution system.
• This role supports the Core Fiber engineering, Ops Fiber team and Distribution teams by providing engineering support and ensuring accurate records of fiber assets.
• This Analyst will play a key role in ensuring that both long-haul (underground and OPGW) and distribution fiber networks (ADSS, underground, feeder builds) are engineered and documented according to the Company engineering standards, enabling reliable communications for substations, field devices, and enterprise applications.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with internal and contract engineers to develop GIS-based maps, fiber routing models, and splice plans to support both transmission and distribution fiber builds.
• Support forecasting of fiber strand availability and long-term planning for utility communication needs (SCADA, AMI, DA, DER interconnection, corporate telecom).
• Distribution & Transmission Fiber Criteria
• Verify Fiber Engineering Distribution Department standards are applied when modeling feeder routes, lateral splices, pole attachments, and underground fiber pathways.
• Ensure that engineering design criteria balance resiliency, restoration, and cost-effectiveness.
• Provide analytical input to project managers, engineers and engineering contractors during scoping, estimating, and scheduling phases of fiber builds.
• Work to develop and participate in project dashboards, reports, and decision-support tools to track fiber expansion initiatives.
• Review engineering drawings, fiber assignments, and splice documentation to verify accuracy and compliance.
• Ensure detailed records of fiber optic assets (routes, splice points, slack storage, terminations) are in GIS and corporate asset systems
• Ensure data quality, accuracy, and alignment with the Company's asset management standards
• Partner with Transmission, Distribution and Operations groups to ensure fiber plans align with system reliability and communication needs.
• Support external coordination with carriers, municipalities and vendors for joint-use opportunities
• Provide analytical reports and visualizations for leadership to support strategic decision-making.
• Incorporate 'Safety First' in all aspects of this role, * Office-based within commute distance of the headquarters with field visits to project sites, to include substations, distribution routes, telecom hubs and various offices
• Collaboration with other departments will be a daily part of this role
• No relocation assistance available
• This is a full time, 40-hour per week position
• 25% travel

• Bachelor's degree in engineering preferred (EE), equivalent experience will be considered
• Three years' minimum experience with telecommunications infrastructure technologies
• Experience with fiber optic construction (OPGW, Underground, ADSS, distribution builds) preferred
• Proficiency in Southern Company engineering and GIS platforms (ESRI ArcGIS, QGIS, Transview, 3GIS, OSP Insight, CAD and Visio) for asset mapping
• Understanding of fiber optic construction methods and splice documentation.
• Familiarity with utility telecom systems (SCADA, AMI, DA communications)
• Ability to create clear reports, maps, and visualizations for technical and non-technical audiences
• Effective communicator and collaborator across engineering, operations, and leadership teams.
• Technical understanding of telecom transport, data networks, and other major applications that use Southern Company's transport network
• Ability to effectively utilize Office 365
• Ability to effectively organize tasks, manage multiple priorities and meet scheduled deadlines
• Ability to build relationships and work in a team atmosphere
• Ability to effectively create presentations and lead meetings
• Strong analytical skills
• Professional oral and written communications
• Detail-Oriented: Ensures fiber documentation and asset records are accurate and up to date.
• Collaboration: Works effectively with engineering and field operations teams to translate planning into action.
• Decision Support: Provides data-driven recommendations that improve fiber system reliability and efficiency.