Engineer, Operations Planning

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

If you are a current AESO employee or contractor, please view openings and apply through our internal site at Workday.

Reporting to the Manager, Operations Planning, we are looking for an Engineer to join our Grid Reliability Operations team. You will coordinate the smooth energization of connection projects by assessing operational reliability risks of connection projects prior to project energization, creating risk mitigation measures, and following-up on their implementations. Additionally, you will study and evaluate the Alberta transmission system in its existing form including additions and enhancements in the 1-5 year time frame.

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 enjoy working in a team of bright professionals, and work and learn 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 leverage your strong communication skills to build effective relationships and act as liaison between real-time operation and planning teams.

• You work well independently with minimal supervision.

Accountabilities include but are not limited to:

• Provide engineering review on connection project progress and project deliverables.

• Analyze reliability risks and system constraints caused by a single or aggregated connection project(s).

• Determine Remedial Action Schemes (RAS) or mitigation plans required to integrate a connection project and follow up on their implementation. 

• Prepare operational plans including thermal loading, voltage & transient stability assessment, and design of mitigation measures.

• Provide recommendations for regional operational plans with follow up on system controller procedures, RAS, etc. and implement such recommendations.

• Provide and co-ordinate technical support for other departments.

• Participate in industry organization committees (e.g. WECC) as required.

What you’ll bring to us:

• B.Sc. Electrical Engineering with advanced/additional qualifications considered advantageous.

• Post graduate degree in Power Systems will be an asset. 

• Registered with or eligible to be registered with APEGA (P.Eng.).

• Minimum 7 years of engineering experience in the electric utility industry, specifically having worked with power engineering studies and analysis, customer connections, and power system operations. 

• Proficient in engineering study tools such as PSS/e, DSATools, etc. 

• Critical awareness of reliability issues facing today’s grid as well as future challenges. 

• In depth understanding of Grid & Market Operations and/or Transmission Planning. 

• Proven ability to solve highly complex engineering problems with only a defined objective and with a minimally defined scope in a high conflict environment. 

• Generation planning, distribution planning, and operations experience will be an asset.

Application deadline: April 16, 2025

#LI-Hybrid

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.