Assoc Software Engineer (Network)

Join the diverse and dynamic team that powers Michigan's largest energy provider and one of the nation's largest gas and electric combination utilities. Consumers Energy services 6.8 million of Michigan's 10 million residents - caring for our friends and neighbors in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. We embrace a cleaner and leaner utility vision focused on eliminating energy waste and adding renewable energy from sources such as wind and solar.

Location:

The successful candidate will be expected to work in a hybrid status of reporting to Parnall East in Jackson, MI every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday with home office flexibility on Wednesday and Friday.

• Must be willing to travel to Consumers Energy locations throughout the state. This includes compressor stations, Generation facilities which require specific personal protection equipment and adherence to safety guidelines.
• Work a flexible schedule, which may include evenings, weekends.

We are looking for: Associate Software Engineer (Network)

The Operational Technology (OT) Department is responsible for engineering, purchasing, implementing and maintaining various applications, desktops, servers, and network infrastructure for the business network and 24-hour real-time network supporting near-real time business operations of Consumers Energy. The team of critical infrastructure analysts has responsibility for requirements gathering, design/architecture, implementation, and maintenance of systems. The team of analysts is also responsible for the identification, testing, and installation of updates/patches, configuration changes, change management, enhancements, maintenance, preparation of system documentation, monitoring of the systems, and support of the systems. The team of analysts uses historical data and trend analysis to make capacity planning recommendations to enhance existing systems, technology, and business processes. The team of analysts ensures the performance and reliability of the system including troubleshooting hardware, software, and network problems as well as root-cause analysis of issues.

The Critical Networks team manages network infrastructure and applications critical to the operation of Consumers Energy bulk electric system and Gas transmission/distribution system. The team provides real-time critical systems support for all levels. The team provides rotating 24x7x365 on-call support.

The candidate for the Critical Networks Team is intended to be System and Network Administration resource. The candidate will have access to all network equipment, systems, and applications resources within OT.

The Associate Software Engineer performs analysis, design, configuration, development, testing, and debugging of computer software with guidance from higher level software engineers. Assists with users to define system scope and objectives and establish baselines. Performs activities based upon established standards and processes. Helps develop technical specifications using functional and/or business requirements as a starting point to create solutions that meet the business need.

• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills and be able to work with all levels of the organization
• Proficient in establishing and maintaining good working relationships (business and IT teams)
• Knowledge of project planning/full lifecycle delivery using Agile framework
• Understanding of software test methodologies, test scripting and testing tools
• Ability to work effectively with contract employees and vendors
• Understanding of database management principles and methodologies, including data structures, data modeling, data warehousing, and transaction processing
• Knowledge of software design principles, methods, and approaches, applying systems engineering concepts such as: structured design, supportability, survivability, reliability, scalability, and maintainability
• Knowledge of change and release tools and processes utilized to implement solutions across multiple teams and technologies

We encourage you to apply if you have:

• Associate's degree in computer, engineering, or related field with applicable experience

• [OR] High School Diploma with four (4) or more years of applicable experience

• Professional experience with administrating or working with network administration
• Experience in basic software configuration management, software architecture/design, user requirements definition, software specification development, software development, understanding of basic coding and compilation, basic testing aptitude, and understanding of software deployment processes and best practices.

Preferred skills:

• Bachelors and/or Masters Degree
• Agile Practitioner Certification
• Excellent customer service and communication skills with the ability to communicate with all levels of associates in the organization
• Excellent ability to multi-task and prioritize effectively
• Proven ability to work effectively in a team setting as well as independently with minimal error and guidance
• Excellent planning and organizational skills with an ability to understand the long-term ("big picture")
• Detailed knowledge of IT principles, methods, and best practices with a security and availability focus
• Proven analytical and detail orientation with solid problem-solving ability
• Perform server, network, and application capacity planning and performance tuning
• Identify technology options and define detailed specifications of technology solutions
• Proficient in systems analysis, design, development, testing, implementation, support, and documentation
• Experience delivering technical documentation and procedures
• Energy industry background that includes a working knowledge of effectively mapping technology to business challenges
• Experience with converged and hyper-converged infrastructure
• Experience with routing protocols such as EIGRP/OSPF/BGP
• Experience with Firepower Threat Defense and the Firepower Management Center
• Experience with Field Networks using a private APN
• Experience with IPSEC/DMVPN tunneling and encryption
• Experience with monitoring tools such as SolarWinds Orion, Microsoft Sentinel
• Advanced certifications such as:
• Cisco Certified Network Administrator (CCNA)
• Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)
• Juniper Networks Certified Internet Expert (JNCIE)
• Experience in an Industrial Controls environment

In this role, you will:

• Provide excellent customer service and communication skills with the ability to respond to varying types of ‘customers' with ease, solution-based responses, recommendations, and openness to feedback
• Understands and leverages processes to produce outcomes
• Demonstrates innovation in problem-solving abilities and, developing efficiencies in the process of work execution
• Experience delivering technical documentation and procedures
• Experience with scripting tools
• Participate in meetings for the project as well as operational reviews
• Assist with capturing/evaluating requirements, considering alternatives, and establishing timelines. Typically paired with intermediate level or above Software Engineers.
• Help create designs involving systems or components contained within one functional area that comply with regulatory requirements, and are consistent with current and planned infrastructure and data environments. Typically paired with intermediate level or above Software Engineers.
• Observe and perform administrative tasks related to incident management and support for current applications/solutions.
• Prepare solution delivery artifacts such as: solution designs, test plans, security diagrams, etc. to support solutions as well as to document activities with the guidance of intermediate level or above Software Engineers.
• Support prototyping, design, development, testing, debugging, documentation and implementation of software applications in an agile environment.
• Provide limited technical expertise for enhancements and IT Projects in the areas of solution alternatives, design, configuration, testing and documentation. Typically paired with intermediate level or above Software Engineers.
• Find/create test data, writes test plans/scenarios and utilizes testing tools to execute testing including automated test configuration with the guidance of intermediate level or above Software Engineers.
• Utilize change and release tools and processes to implement solutions across multiple teams and technologies with the guidance of intermediate level or above Software Engineers.
• Participate in collaboration activities with other business and technical teams to ensure solutions meet requirements from various governance teams.
• Other non-essential duties as assigned or may be necessary.

Why should you join our team?

At Consumers Energy, we offer more than just a place to work. We foster a culture that supports career development, growth, and stability, and we take pride in offering our co-workers excellent benefits and compensation packages. We are deliberately creating an inclusive culture that makes our diverse team of co-workers feel valued, supported, and empowered every day. We're a company made up of thousands of people, all with different stories to share and work to do, but we stand united in our company purpose: world class performance delivering hometown service.

What we offer:

• Competitive compensation packages
• Medical, Dental and Vision
• 401k with company match
• Paid parental leave
• Up to 13 paid Holidays
• Paid time off
• Educational Assistance Program

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:

We, at CMS Energy, value Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. It is part of our DNA. We treat our employees with respect, we treat each other fairly and we value the opinions of others. We are passionate about building and nurturing an environment where everyone feels included. We don't discriminate. We seek to learn about each other and better understand our unique differences. Our uniqueness makes us authentic. We create safe spaces where everyone can be who they truly are. We invite difficult conversations and uncomfortable topics. We value diverse perspectives; this is what makes us great together. We harbor an inclusive environment where employees feel empowered to share their backgrounds, experiences, and ideas. Our Employee Resource Groups, Women's Advisory Panel (WAP), Women's Engineering Network (WEN), Minority Advisory Panel (MAP), Pride Alliance of Consumers Energy (PACE), GENERGY, capable, Interfaith and Veterans Advisory Panel (VAP) are key enablers to living the values of our company culture: Caring, Empowered, Deliberate, Agility, and Ownership.

All qualified applicants will not be discriminated against and will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected veteran status, disability, race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.

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