AI Engineer / Application Analyst at Southern Company
The AI Engineer/Application Analyst position at Southern Company is designed for professionals who are eager to innovate and improve business processes through automation. This role involves the development and implementation of advanced digital solutions, focusing on artificial intelligence and data analytics. The successful candidate will work closely with various teams to create applications and data visualizations that enhance operational efficiency.
Key facts
Location: Atlanta, GA or Birmingham, AL (Onsite Monday through Thursday, Remote on Friday)
Engagement: Full-time Team: Southern Power
What you'll do
- Identify and develop AI-driven solutions aimed at enhancing the efficiency of business operations. You will build and configure intelligent agents that utilize data and models to reason, plan, and act in alignment with established patterns using tools such as Databricks Apps, Databricks Agents, Power BI, and generative AI.
- Rapidly prototype new AI capabilities while adhering to standards that facilitate their transition to enterprise-level deployments.
- Implement comprehensive workflows for use cases, translating business and operational needs into AI workflows that cover data ingestion, inference, tool execution, and human oversight.
- Optimize the performance and cost of AI solutions by fine-tuning prompts, models, and agent interactions to enhance accuracy, reduce latency, and improve cost efficiency.
- Maintain and manage GitHub repositories, overseeing repository structure, branching, pull requests, code reviews, and documentation to ensure secure, collaborative, and repeatable delivery of AI solutions.
- Collaborate with business teams to integrate digital tools into planning and reporting processes, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
- Provide technical guidance and training on digital tools to enhance team capabilities.
- Analyze extensive datasets to uncover anomalies, trends, and control gaps that could impact business operations.
- Stay informed about emerging technologies in AI governance and risk management to ensure best practices are followed.
- Implement responsible AI practices by embedding safety controls, validation steps, and mechanisms for explainability into agent logic and prompts from the outset.
Requirements
- A Bachelor's degree is mandatory, preferably in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Business, or a related discipline. An advanced degree or relevant certification is advantageous.
- A minimum of three years of relevant experience in AI, data analytics, or digital transformation within a corporate or consulting environment is required, with at least six months of substantial experience using AI coding assistants preferred.
- Strong proficiency in Python and familiarity with AI frameworks for large language models and intelligent agents.
- Experience in prompt engineering, evaluation techniques, and producing structured outputs.
- Knowledge of vector databases, embeddings, and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) methodologies.
- Understanding of API integration and execution of tools within agent workflows.
- Familiarity with continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD), model deployment, and observability concepts.
- Experience with GitHub for source control, collaboration, version management, and code review in enterprise development settings.
- Demonstrated proficiency in one or more of the following technologies: SQL, Python, Databricks, AI, generative AI, and Azure.
- Ability to make sound judgments regarding the appropriate use of AI technologies.
- Strong analytical skills with a focus on data-driven decision-making and problem-solving.
- Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and influence their adoption.
- Capacity to collaborate effectively with stakeholders to understand diverse automation needs and advocate for cohesive solutions.
- Strong interpersonal skills, allowing for teamwork and independent work with confidence.
- Effective time management skills, with the ability to adapt to changing demands, handle multiple tasks, and prioritize effectively.
- Ability to communicate progress, challenges, and best practices to management and team members.
Practical notes
This position is part of Southern Company's Insider Threat Program and will involve access to sensitive data, systems, or assets. Candidates selected for this role will undergo enhanced personnel screening, which includes a background check, drug screening, and psychological assessment.
About Southern Company
Southern Company is a prominent energy provider serving approximately 9 million customers across the southeastern United States and beyond through its various subsidiaries. The company is committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable, and affordable energy while maintaining excellent service. Southern Company operates electric utilities in three states, natural gas distribution in four states, and has a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy solutions provider, and telecommunications services. With a strong focus on innovation, resilience, and sustainability, Southern Company aims to meet the needs of its customers and communities while striving for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The company's core values prioritize customer needs and drive its success. For more information, visit www.southerncompany.com.
Southern Company offers a comprehensive total rewards strategy that includes competitive salaries, annual incentives for eligible employees, and a range of health, welfare, and retirement benefits to support the well-being of employees and their families. Additional compensation opportunities, such as incentive programs, may be available, with specific terms outlined during the hiring process. A summary of the benefits associated with this position can be found at https://seo.nlx.org/southernco/pdf/SOCO-Benefits.pdf.
Southern Company is an equal opportunity employer, considering applicants' qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other legally protected status.
Job Identification: 19896 Job Category: Information Technology Job Schedule: Full-time Company: Southern Company Services
