Model Builder​/Engineer

Position: Model Builder / Engineer 1
Job Description

The Model Builder / Engineer I is an entry-level engineering role focused on building and maintaining detailed digital models of natural gas distribution systems. Using engineering principles, GIS data, customer information, construction records, and utility asset data, this role creates accurate representations of the gas network that support utility planning, system analysis, and operational decision-making. The position is highly data-driven and detail-oriented, involving extensive work with GIS mapping, large databases, model updates, and rigorous quality checks.

This is an excellent opportunity for an early-career engineer who enjoys working with data, maps, infrastructure systems, and analytical tools, and who is comfortable collaborating with engineering, GIS, operations, and field teams to resolve data discrepancies and improve model accuracy.

Responsibilities

+ Build and maintain detailed utility models of natural gas distribution systems using GIS data and other engineering inputs.

+ Support model development by reviewing, cleaning, and validating GIS data to ensure accuracy and integrity.

+ Use Microsoft Excel to query and analyze millions of rows of data in support of model building and updates.

+ Review data for 30+ new business inquiries each week to add gas service for residential, commercial, and industrial sites.

+ Identify and incorporate data for new customers coming online and evaluate project load for each inquiry based on uploaded information.

+ Weigh the pros and cons of proposed improvements, evaluate different options, and anticipate outcomes to help build operational efficiencies.

+ Confidently convey ideas for project quantities and installations, including recommendations such as investment trade-offs and future benefits.

+ Work with database and script-based tools to manage and analyze large datasets that the analysis team uses for simulations and planning.

+ Build models using millions of lines of data to present and share with the planning team, who use these models for analysis and simulations.

+ Collaborate closely with a team of engineers and GIS personnel to perform hands-on analysis and refine model accuracy.

+ Pay very close attention to detail by ensuring new business inquiries align with design standards, materials, and system requirements.

+ Work throughout the life cycle of each inquiry with other business units and the system planning team, from initial request through integration into the model.

+ Make data-driven recommendations based on models and simulations to support planning, construction, and operational decisions.

+ Learn and become comfortable with internal systems and software within the first 0-3 months.

+ Run models using Excel, begin analyzing results, and present findings to planning partners within 3-6 months.

+ Build and maintain utility models across multiple regions, with each model build cycle spanning 6-9 months (e.g., Atlanta, Augusta, South Georgia, Chattanooga).

+ Extract, clean, and validate GIS data over 2-3 months per cycle, identifying and correcting anomalies such as incorrect pipe sizes or invalid connections.

+ Assign approximately 1.6 million customers in Atlanta to correct geospatial points within the model to ensure accuracy and completeness.

+ Digitize construction prints and field work orders by manually drawing new infrastructure components into the digital model.

+ Process and integrate approximately 100,000 new service requests annually into the model so that new business demands are accurately represented.

+ Occasionally conduct field visits to validate data and confirm infrastructure details, providing a break from screen-based work.

+ Read and interpret engineering plans and translate them into accurate digital representations within the model.

+ Prepare and present model outputs, insights, and recommendations to planning partners and other stakeholders using Excel and presentation tools.

+ Communicate proactively with planning, engineering, GIS, operations, and construction teams to share updates on project status and model changes.

+ Ask questions and seek feedback to continuously improve models, processes, and analytical approaches.

+ Support system planning and forecasting efforts by providing accurate models that underpin simulations and scenario analyses.

Essential Skills

+ Bachelor of Science degree in Civil, Mechanical, or Industrial Engineering from an ABET-accredited program.

+ Engineering knowledge with strong analytical and problem-solving skills applied to data-driven modeling and system analysis.

+ Ability to read and interpret engineering plans and translate them into accurate digital models.

+ Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including working with large datasets, performing analysis, and querying tables.

+ Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint for documentation and presentations.

+ Experience or familiarity with database management systems and working with large volumes of data.

+ Ability to…