Principal Engineer, Operations
The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) is responsible for the safe, reliable, and economic planning and operation of the Alberta Interconnected Electric System. We provide open and non-discriminatory access to Alberta’s interconnected power grid and also facilitate Alberta’s competitive wholesale electricity market. The AESO strives to foster an inclusive, diverse and equitable workplace where people feel respected and welcomed for who they are, together we deliver high performance and innovative results.
Job Description
The Principal Engineer, Operations is a senior-level role responsible for offering technical leadership, executing AESO's strategy, improving the organization's technical capacities through engineering talent development and mentorship, and fostering cross-functional collaboration to advance our business with a strong emphasis on both technical expertise and strategic direction.
This position will be responsible for providing strategic thinking and vision on matters related to system operations so the organization can continue to meet it’s mandate of ensuring reliable operations of the AIES. The Principal Engineer, Operations will be accountable to manage relationships with counterparts in facility owners including TFO/DFO/GFO.
This full-time opportunity offers a competitive salary, and a variable pay program. We also have paid vacation and flex time, health and dental benefits, mental health support, a defined contribution pension plan, and learning and development opportunities as part of your overall compensation package. We support a hybrid work environment, where the team is in the office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Mondays and Fridays are flexible for where you work best.
You will enjoy working with us if:
You value flexibility to support life and personal needs. We offer a flexible work practice where some weeks may require more onsite presence during key business or operations events.
You thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment and are looking for an opportunity to embark on transformative industry change.
You enjoy working in a team of bright professionals and participating in lively debates.
You appreciate working and learning in a diverse atmosphere - our team and colleagues have varied backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
You embrace change and pivot and adapt with ease.
Signs you will thrive in this role:
You have aptitude for raising the education and competency of others and are skilled in instructing processes and technical concepts.
You enjoy shaping and empowering the next generation of technical talent. The Principal Engineer plays a key mentorship role to professional engineers and staff at all levels.
Strong ability to collaborate with peers and management team to provide technical leadership.
Comfortable working in a matrix environment and influencing with or without direct authority across the organization.
Guides resolution of conflict in complex situations and navigates ambiguous situations for high quality outcomes.
Accountabilities include but are not limited to:
Providing technical expertise in the adoption and implementation of new operations processes and system applications, including oversight of issues within Operational Readiness Program
Technical oversight of the operation of the AIES including grid reliability, system applications, and real-time event management and analysis
Provide strategic thinking and planning on the AESO's approach toward operation of the AIES
Identify and operationalize the use of emerging technologies in addressing near term and longer term issues.
Optimize development and implementation of future tools and processes, ensuring solutions take into account the multitude of current and future operational requirements, system tools and real time challenges
Ensure grid and market tools are designed for seamless integration, long term sustainability and alignment with operational practices
Liaise with NERC and WECC committees in the related area and actively participate in working groups.
Standard owner of Alberta Reliability Standards and ISO rules in the related area.
Coordinate with Engineering Specialists to identify and champion the adoption of new NERC and IEEE standards on short term and long term planning to ensure AESO is on top of future requirements.
Coordinate efforts and provide technical guidance, support, mentorship and training to all levels of technical peers and different AESO departments.
Interface with internal and external stakeholders to address issues, explain and demonstrate methodologies, and assess policy changes.
Develop training content and materials and deliver training related to specific discipline.
Development of AESO Rules and standards related to specific discipline
Understand and ensure all operations processes are developed, audited, and executed as described in AESO SCP’s, Rules, ARS’s and within professional guidelines and requirements
Provide operational input and technical considerations into the GREP (Grid Resiliency Exercise program).
What you will bring to us:
B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering Minimum (Masters or PHD preferred)
Professional Designation in Engineering (P.Eng.) and active membership with APEGA required.
Fifteen years or more years of engineering experience in the electric utility industry, with a focus on power system operations and analysis. Additional experience in transmission planning, power system modeling, and Operational tools/applications.
Comprehensive understanding of electricity sector regulatory/compliance framework in Alberta, AESO Tariff, reliability standards, transmission facilities, and economic concepts
Proficient in power system study tools, especially PSSE and PSCAD with proven hands-on experience in steady state, dynamic and electromagnetic transient studies for planning and operations purposes.
Proficient in real time monitoring tools including EMS and market tools
Experience in developing and validating power system models for both Electromagnetic Transient and Phasor domain simulations
Participation and influence in power system modelling-related technical working groups is an asset
Application Deadline: March 20, 2025
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If you are contacted for a pre-screening and/or interview, please advise of any accommodation measures required to enable you to fully participate. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.
The Alberta Electric System Operator is unable to accept unsolicited agency resumes.
The Alberta Electric System Operator, and its members, officers, employees and agents (collectively, the "AESO") is committed to protecting personal information provided to it. When you submit your personal information to the AESO for the purpose of pursuing employment with the AESO, the collection, use and disclosure of personal information is in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP Act) of Alberta.
As noted, the AESO is mandated to maintain the safe and reliable operations of the provincial power grid. As part of meeting its obligations, the AESO may require the successful candidate to undergo a criminal background check for the position. This collection of personal information for the purposes of a check will be conducted in accordance with Section 33 of the FOIP Act.