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JOB SUMMARY:
This position develops and applies advanced analytics, machine learning, and AI to support structured pricing products, forecasting, and valuation. The role builds and maintains models, data assets, and AI-enabled tools that deliver timely, accurate insights and automation to improve decision-making and elevate workforce capability. The position is accountable for improving model performance, governance, explainability, and scalability across markets, and partners across the enterprise to deploy reliable analytical and AI solutions.
MAJOR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Principal Data Scientist (Level 07)
Summary: Serves as SouthStar’s senior technical authority for Data, Analytics and AI strategy, setting standards and priorities to ensure secure, scalable, and production-ready solutions.
Accountable for domain AI outcomes and risk posture, including final technical approval for production readiness
Prioritize AI use cases based on business value, feasibility, and risk.
Define and enforce SouthStar standards for model development, validation, monitoring, documentation, and responsible AI use, aligned with enterprise frameworks.
Establish reusable AI/ML frameworks, templates, and best practices to accelerate delivery across teams.
Lead cross-functional delivery of production AI solutions (automation, forecasting, decision support, AI assistants).
Drive workforce enablement (training, playbooks, coaching) to elevate AI adoption and productivity.
Provide technical direction across multiple teams and functions, leading through influence rather than formal authority.
Mentor junior staff on modeling practices and documentation; conduct technical reviews and guide complex problem-solving
Stay current on GenAI, NLP, and advanced ML trends and assess their applicability to SouthStar’s business.
Staff Data Scientist (Level 06)
Summary: Leads advanced analytics and AI initiatives end-to-end, establishing standards and ensuring scalable, governed delivery.
Lead end-to-end delivery of advanced analytics and AI solutions (design, build, deploy and monitor).
Define modeling standards, validation approaches, and monitoring thresholds; ensure explainability and audit readiness.
Drive adoption by integrating models and AI tools into business workflows and decision processes.
Partner with leadership to prioritize use cases, manage tradeoffs, and quantify business impact.
Continuously improve data quality and governance practices to support scalable AI across markets.
Senior Data Scientist (Level 05)
Summary: Independently designs and delivers advanced analytics and machine learning solutions and reusable pipelines for business use cases
Design and develop statistical and ML models for business problems (forecasting, valuation, segmentation, anomaly detection).
Build scalable analytical pipelines and reusable datasets/features; implement validation checks.
Create AI-enabled analytical tools (e.g., guided Q&A over curated data, automated insight generation) with measurable value.
Develop dashboards and stakeholder-ready outputs; explain model results and tradeoffs.
Collaborate cross-functionally to define requirements, success metrics, and adoption approach.
Own delivery for assigned workstreams.
Data Scientist (Level 04)
Summary: Applies analytical and ML techniques under guidance to support forecasting/valuation and build reusable, well-documented analyses.
Analyze and organize customer/market data for pricing, planning, and forecasting.
Maintain and validate existing models and recurring reports; troubleshoot data issues.
Develop baseline statistical or ML models under guidance (e.g., regression, classification, forecasting).
Use approved AI tools to automate routine analysis and reporting (e.g., templated notebooks, prompt-driven summaries).
Document assumptions, code, and data lineage; support audit and review requests.
Continuously identify small improvements to data quality, model performance, and efficiency.
JOB REQUIREMENTS: (Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills **)
Principal Data Scientist (Level 07)
Education**
Required: Master’s degree in analytics, statistics, data science, computer science, or a related quantitative field
Preferred: PhD in one of the above disciplines; Project Management Professional (PMP) or equivalent leadership certification
Experience
10+ years of experience in analytics/data science, including a strong track record delivering enterprise-scale data and AI solutions.
Extensive experience manipulating large data using SQL and platforms such as Databricks/Spark/Azure/AWS.
Demonstrated success defining and scaling AI capabilities, frameworks, or platforms with strong execution.
Knowledge/Skills
Expert-level modeling breadth (e.g., Natural Language Processing (NLP), deep learning, Bayesian methods, clustering, neural networks) and strong statistical foundations.
Proven ability to define reusable AI/ML frameworks, standards, and governance guardrails.
Experienced in complex integrations/migrations across data sources and platforms such as Databricks, Azure; sets architectural direction in partnership with IT
Demonstrated leadership in analytical model design/ development/ testing/ troubleshooting/ documentation for complex analytical systems
Strong stakeholder management capabilities and a proven ability to align teams
Staff Data Scientist (Level 06)
Education
Required: Master’s degree in analytics, statistics, data science, computer science, or a related quantitative field
Preferred: PhD (or in progress) in one of the above disciplines
Experience
5-10 years of experience in analytics/data science, modeling, and large-scale data work.
Hands-on experience delivering machine learning/AI solutions and/or production-level model deployment.
Experience manipulating large databases using SQL and platforms such as Databricks/Spark/Azure/AWS.
Knowledge/Skills
Advanced modeling breadth (supervised/unsupervised methods) and strong statistical foundations.
Ability to design validation, monitoring, and retraining plans (drift detection, performance thresholds).
Strong troubleshooting and documentation skills for complex analytical systems.
Technical leadership and stakeholder management; able to drive alignment across teams.
Senior Data Scientist (Level 05)
Education
Required: Bachelor’s degree in a quantitative field (e.g., mathematics, statistics, economics, data science, computer science, or similar).
Preferred: Master’s degree in analytics, statistics, data science, computer science, or similar.
Experience
3-5 years’ experience in analytics/modeling and data processing
Demonstrated ability to build and manage models in a business environment.
Experience working with large data using SQL and modern analytics platforms (e.g., Databricks/Spark/Azure/AWS).
Knowledge/Skills
Strong programming skills in Python or R; solid SQL proficiency.
Experience with feature engineering, model evaluation, and performance tuning.
Experience with dashboards/visualizations (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, SSRS) to communicate insights.
Strong understanding of data governance basics (access, quality checks, and documentation).
Data Scientist (Level 04)
Education
Required: Bachelor’s degree in a quantitative field (e.g., mathematics, statistics, economics, data science, computer science, or similar).
Preferred: Master’s degree (or in progress) in a quantitative discipline
Experience
0-2 years of experience (including internships/co-ops) in analytics, data, or modeling.
Preferred: Exposure to energy/utility markets or pricing/forecasting concepts (through coursework or experience).
Knowledge/Skills
Working knowledge of SQL and relational databases (e.g., SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL).
Hands-on programming for analysis (Python or R) and basic ML/statistical modeling.
Ability to follow established standards for documentation, validation, and reproducibility.
Able to communicate results clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Working Conditions:
Hybrid work schedule, 4 days per week, in the office/onsite, with 1 remote day from home and subject to change per business needs.
Disclaimer: This information describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this job. The description is not designed to be a comprehensive inventory of duties, responsibilities and qualifications required in the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to qualified disabled individuals for performance of essential duties and responsibilities.
About Southern Company Gas
Southern Company Gas is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO), America’s premier energy company. Southern Company Gas serves approximately 4.2 million natural gas utility customers through its regulated distribution companies in four states and approximately 600,000 retail customers through its companies that market natural gas. Other nonutility businesses include investments in interstate pipelines and ownership and operation of natural gas storage facilities. For more information, visit southerncompanygas.com .
Southern Company (NYSE: SO ) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million 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 solutions provider 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 customers’ and communities’ needs while advancing our goal of net-zero greenhouse gas 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 has been recognized by a variety of organizations, earning the company awards and recognitions that reflect Our Values and dedication to service. To learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com .
Southern Company invests in the well-being of its employees and their families through a comprehensive total rewards strategy that includes competitive base salary, annual incentive awards for eligible employees and health, welfare and retirement benefits designed to support physical, financial, and emotional/social well-being. This position may also be eligible for additional compensation, such as an incentive program, with the amount of any bonus/awards subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable incentive plan(s). A summary of the benefits offered for this position can be found here https://seo.nlx.org/southernco/pdf/SOCO-Benefits.pdf . Additional and specific details about total compensation and bene?ts will also be provided during the hiring process.
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: 19255
Job Category: Data Analytics
Job Schedule: Full time
Company: Southstar Energy Services
