Senior Engineer, Customer Access Studies

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 AESO is the sole provider of system access service on the Alberta transmission system, and the AESO Customer Grid Access team is responsible to fulfil this part of the AESO's mandate. The Customer Access Study (CAS) team is responsible for performing and reviewing project interconnection engineering studies and working with other AESO departments to deliver customer projects in accordance with the AESOs Connection Process. The CAS team works with the AESO project managers who are accountable for the project decision-making and delivery. The AESO has streamlined the customer projects interconnection process, and the customer projects are being processed in the batches and studied in the form of the Cluster Study.

Reporting to the CAS Manager and working closely with the CAS Lead Engineer, we are looking for a Full-time Senior Engineer to run interconnection engineering studies, prepare engineering solutions to project challenges, including technical decision-making for assigned projects, engineering assessments, documentation, and technical regulatory support to facilitate System Access Service Requests to the AIES. You will collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, as well as provide guidance and support toother Engineers and Engineers-In-Training.

You will enjoy working with us if:

• You flourish in 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 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 enjoy working in a team of bright professionals and thrive in a diverse atmosphere. Our team and colleagues have varied backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.
• You thrive in a dynamic environment and seek opportunities for transformative change.
• You embrace change, pivot and adapt with ease.
• You work well with project-based work, diligently maintaining technical project files to ensure key assigned project deliverables are met, recognizing the impacts of your work on the environment, economy, and society, specifically public safety.
• You enjoy multitasking and balancing multiple files and projects in flight.
• You have high personal accountability, placing attention on priorities and value-add items.

Accountabilities include but are not limited to:

• Prepare and approve Engineering Study Scope documents for the specific projects within the assigned Cluster (regional area), in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
• Conduct power flow, stability, short circuit, and advanced power system analysis studies for the project inter connection using PSS/E software.
• Determine options or alternative solutions for connecting Market Participants to the Alberta transmission network.
• Justify the selection of the preferred alternative solutions, and prepare single line diagrams and documentation for relevant connection alternative selection.
• Review, comment and accept Distribution Deficiency Reports submitted by Distribution Facility Owners.
• Analyze system constraints when identified in engineering studies and help determine Remedial Action Schemes or mitigation plans within a connection project.
• Coordinate with other teams to develop the load and generation forecasts which support the customer access studies.
• Coordinate with appropriate members to prepare economic analysis, review results, and develop models which support connection projects.
• Prepare and authenticate Engineering Connection Assessment, Connection Proposals and collaborate in relevant power system technical assessment.
• Prepare information for, and participate in, stakeholder meetings.
• Participate in industry organization committees (e.g., WECC and IEEE).
• Provide support to AESO Legal team in response to AUC regulatory proceedings.
• Provide expert opinion to external and internal stakeholders, communicating engineering aspects, findings, recommendations, and risks.
• Maintain effective lines of communication with Market Participants to resolve technical issues.

What you'll bring to us:

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.
• Post Graduate Degree in Electrical Power Systems will be an asset.
• Registered or eligible for registration with APEGA (P.Eng.).
• 8-12 years of engineering experience in the electric utility industry, specifically having worked with power systems models, engineering studies and analysis, customer connections, transmission planning, and engineering economics.
• Proficient in engineering study tools such as PSS/e, PSCAD, DSATools, etc.
• An understanding of the following will be beneficial:
  • AESO tariff and legal regulatory framework.
  • Transmission system operations, transmission facility and line design, engineering functional specifications, and Remedial Action Schemes.
  • Electromagnetic transient analysis.
  • Protection and control.
  • Distribution and substation planning and design.

Application deadline: March 14, 2025

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.

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.