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.
The AESO is the sole provider of system access service on the Alberta transmission system, and the Customer Grid Access team is responsible for fulfilling this part of the AESOs mandate.
The Customer Access Study (CAS) team performs and reviews project interconnection engineering studies and works closely with other AESO departments to deliver customer projects in accordance with the AESO Connection Process. The team partners with AESO project managers who are accountable for project decision-making and delivery. Customer projects are processed in batches and studied in the form of Cluster Studies.
Reporting to the Manager, Customer Access Studies, the Lead Engineer will play a key role in Customer Access Studies and will be responsible for leading and performing customer access studies and engineering assessments for projects within an assigned load integration portfolio or cluster. In this role you will support team development by providing training, mentoring, and feedback, while staying current with industry trends and emerging practices.
As the technical lead for the assigned area, you will develop engineering solutions to project challenges and provide technical leadership and decision-making support. In this role, you will work cross-functionally with forecasting, system planning, system operations, engineering, regulatory, legal, and tariff teams, and externally with Transmission Facility Owners, Distribution Facility Owners, generator developers, large load customers, and consultants.
This full-time opportunity offers a competitive salary. 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.
Key Accountabilities
Serve as Lead Engineer, coordinating with CAS Regional Leads, engineers, and AESO internal groups; act as the primary technical point of contact for load projects and lead cross-functional coordination with internal stakeholders
Provide technical leadership, oversight, and peer review of engineering studies and deliverables; develop engineering solutions and provide decision-making support, including engineering assessments, study scopes and reports, consultant reviews, and System Access Service Requests to the AIES
Apply expert knowledge of power system behavior, long-term planning, and regional operational plans; provide risk-informed technical opinions considering engineering analysis, regulatory requirements, economics, customer impact, project delivery, and public interest
Represent AESO in regulatory proceedings; act as CAS Manager delegate or provide backfill for Regional Leads, and provide updates on project status, risks, and issues
Support development of engineering standards, methodologies, and practices; prepare, review, and approve Engineering Study Scope documents
Conduct and review power flow, stability, and short-circuit studies using PSS/E; evaluate connection options; review connection documentation and Distribution Deficiency Reports; identify system constraints and coordinate mitigation solutions
Coordinate with internal teams on forecasts, economic analysis, and system models; prepare Engineering Connection Assessments and Connection Proposals
Participate in stakeholder meetings, resolve technical issues, maintain project documentation, and represent AESO in external forums and industry committees.
What You’ll Bring to Us
B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering; a postgraduate degree in Electrical Power Systems is an asset
Registered Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) with APEGA, or eligible for registration
8+ years of progressive experience in the electric utility industry, including power system modeling, engineering studies, customer connections, transmission planning, and engineering economics
Strong technical expertise in power system analysis, with proficiency in PSS/E; experience with PSCAD, DSATools, or similar tools is an asset
Experience in transmission system operations, planning, and facility/line design, as well as distribution and substation planning and design
Knowledge of protection and control systems and experience with Remedial Action Schemes
Familiarity with AESO tariff and the regulatory/legal framework governing the Alberta electricity market
Proficiency in Python programming and automation
Demonstrated professionalism, integrity, and sound engineering judgment
Ability to provide technical leadership, guidance, and mentorship to engineers and cross-functional teams
Proven ability to apply engineering knowledge and tools to solve complex problems while considering environmental, societal, economic, and public safety impacts.
Application deadline: July 15, 2026
#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 Protection of Privacy Act (POPA) 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 4 of POPA.
Skills Required
- B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering
- Postgraduate degree in Electrical Power Systems
- Registered Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) with APEGA, or eligible for registration
- 8+ years progressive experience in the electric utility industry including power system modeling, engineering studies, customer connections, and transmission planning
- Proficiency in PSS/E for power flow, stability, and short-circuit studies
- Experience with PSCAD, DSATools, or similar tools
- Experience in transmission system operations, planning, and facility/line design, plus distribution and substation planning and design
- Knowledge of protection and control systems and experience with Remedial Action Schemes
- Familiarity with AESO tariff and Alberta regulatory/legal electricity market framework
- Proficiency in Python programming and automation
- Demonstrated technical leadership, mentorship, professionalism, and sound engineering judgment
What We Do
The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) manages and operates the provincial power grid. We're a not-for-profit organization serving in the public interest. We work with industry partners and the government to make sure reliable power is there when you need it. Whatever changes happen in the world, Albertans can rely on us to manage the electricity markets and meet your energy needs. From integrating renewable energy into your life to developing the grid, the future for electricity in Alberta looks bright. What do we do Manage and plan the power grid 24 hours a day When you need power, you expect it. We work with industry partners to keep electricity flowing throughout the province. Our system controllers balance supply and demand 24/7, making sure four million Albertans have power when they need it. Manage and operate the energy markets In Alberta, companies own generation, transmission and distribution facilities. We dispatch the power sold by generators, using the lowest-priced electricity first and then the next lowest until the need for power has been satisfied. We also enforce transmission tariffs and regulations, keeping the market fair and open for everyone. Plan the future of the system and its infrastructure As Alberta grows, so does its need for electricity. We plan ahead and expand the grid, ensuring the right transmission lines are built as efficiently as possible. As the province moves away from coal-fired power plants, we're enabling investment in renewable energy. In everything we do, our eye is always on the future
