About this role
Consumers Energy is Michigan’s largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. Consumers Energy knows job number one is to keep the lights on for customers. We are committed to delivering reliable, clean, and affordable energy to our customers 24/7. This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship, e.g., H-1B, TN, etc. Please do not apply if you will need immigration sponsorship for a work visa now or in the future, including sponsorship for H-1B, TN, etc., now or in the future. We are unable to hire individuals with CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT for this position as the position is not eligible for participation in the H-1B lottery program and is not eligible for current or future immigration sponsorship for a work visa. Location : This position is onsite minimally 3 days a week at One Energy Plaza located in Jackson, MI. The selected candidate must be within a commutable distance or willing to relocate (relocation package is available for those that qualify). General Summary of Job Responsibilities The Applications and Analytics team is at the heart of innovation, powering Michigan’s future by crafting cutting-edge digital solutions that transform how our customers and communities experience energy. Guided by our Digital First strategy, we harness modern technical practices and agile methodologies to create intuitive, impactful software that drives measurable business value and enhances user experiences. Join a dynamic team where collaboration, creativity, and impact converge! We partner closely with business teams to uncover digital opportunities, prioritize high-impact outcomes, and deliver trustworthy, user-friendly technology. By embracing our CE Way principles—engaging on solutions, illuminating priorities, and minimizing waste—we build systems that are simple, helpful, and valuable. If you’re passionate about innovation, community, and shaping a sustainable energy future, come grow with us at Consumers Energy! The Principal Software Configuration Analyst serves as a strategic technical leader responsible for solving the most complex challenges associated with Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) software solutions. This role ensures that technology solutions align with enterprise architecture standards, operational objectives, and long-term business strategies.Leveraging extensive expertise in business processes, enterprise systems, and software architecture, the Principal Analyst drives performance optimization, guides high-impact architectural decisions, and ensures seamless integration across platforms. Acting as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and business stakeholders, this individual builds strong cross-functional partnerships and influences the organization's technical direction. This role also provides enterprise-wide thought leadership by mentoring configuration analysts across all experience levels, fostering innovation, and promoting software quality and engineering excellence. The Principal Analyst clearly communicates product outcomes, aligns technology initiatives across related software ecosystems, and champions continuous improvement. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Lead the configuration, optimization, and strategic direction of Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) software products, applying deep technical expertise to solve highly complex, ambiguous, and cross-functional challenges. Provide thought leadership by clearly articulating product outcomes and influencing technical direction across teams. Partner with product teams, business stakeholders, and technical resources to define, design, and deliver integrated technology solutions. Mentor, coach, and support configuration analysts across all experience levels, fostering growth in Agile methodologies, enterprise software standards, and industry best practices. Participate in talent development activities, including interviewing, coaching, and professional development initiatives. Build and maintain strong relationships with business units and executive stakeholders to understand strategic objectives and translate business needs into effective technical solutions. Make strategic architectural decisions that align with enterprise standards, technology roadmaps, and long-term business goals. Demonstrate the ability to connect business objectives to current and future product capabilities. Drive innovation by identifying opportunities for process improvement, automation, modernization, and adoption of emerging technologies. Represent the company at industry forums and bring back leading practices and innovative solutions. Influence software vendors and strategic partners to shape product direction, roadmaps, and future capabilities that support organizational objectives. Lead cross-functional initiatives and represent the software configuration discipline in enterprise-level forums, governance councils, and strategic discussions. Perform other duties as assigned. Knowledge/Skills/Abilities Demonstrated executive presence with exceptional communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills, including experience influencing executive leadership. Proven ability to think strategically while executing tactically in a fast-paced environment. Experience with system integration, performance optimization, technology strategy, and organizational transformation. Extensive expertise configuring and integrating COTS solutions within large-scale enterprise environments. Knowledge of one or more programming or scripting languages is preferred, including .NET, C#, SQL, Visual Basic, ABAP, and platform-specific technologies such as OneStream, PowerPlan, or ServiceNow. Strong ability to communicate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences, including senior leadership, while providing thought leadership within Agile, software engineering, and technology communities. Deep business and technical expertise spanning multiple product domains, with a comprehensive understanding of enterprise software ecosystems. Advanced vendor management, negotiation, and relationship management skills. Demonstrated success leading technical teams, guiding enterprise initiatives, and mentoring less experienced professionals. Strong understanding of the business and technical value associated with product enhancements, platform modernization, and technology investments. Education/Experience Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field, along with seven (7) or more years of demonstrated subject matter expertise supporting relevant software applications or platforms. Experience integrating complex software solutions within enterprise environments is required. [OR] Associate's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field, along with nine (9) or more years of demonstrated subject matter expertise supporting relevant software applications or platforms. Experience integrating complex software solutions within enterprise environments is required. [OR] High School Diploma or GED and eleven (11) or more years of demonstrated subject matter expertise supporting relevant software applications or platforms. Experience integrating complex software solutions within enterprise environments is required. Preferred Experience Hands-on experience with SAP ERP platforms, including SAP ECC and SAP S/4HANA, supporting Finance and Supply Chain business domains such as procurement, inventory management, forecasting, financial planning, accounting, treasury, asset management, and related enterprise processes. Experience leading or contributing to large-scale digital transformation, ERP modernization, cloud migration, or business process optimization initiatives. Bonus would be hands-on experience with OpenText and/or ServiceNow, including platform administration, workflow enablement, integrations, and support of enterprise business processes and digital transformation initiatives. Experience designing, implementing, or supporting Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Generative AI solutions within the Microsoft ecosystem, including Microsoft Copilot, Azure AI Services, Azure OpenAI, Power Platform, and Microsoft Fabric. Experience architecting, deploying, and managing cloud-based solutions in Microsoft Azure, including infrastructure, networking, security, identity management, automation, and cloud governance. Strong operational and governance leadership, including application health, incident/change/problem management, security, disaster recovery, SOX compliance, risk management, vendor oversight, and technology roadmaps. Team-oriented technical leader with experience driving business outcomes across complex product portfolios and enterprise application ecosystems. 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 in Energy (WE), Minority Advisory Panel (MAP), Pride Alliance of Consumers Energy (PACE), GENERGY (Different Generations), capable (Different Abilities), Interfaith, People Planet Partners, 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.