Lead Engineer

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 Customer Access Studies (CAS) team is looking for a Lead Engineer to conduct expert engineering assessments for project work delivery, lead work direction, and train and mentor team members. This role works cross-functionally with other business units in the AESO, including project management, forecasting, system planning, system operations, engineering, regulatory, legal, and tariff. This role is also externally facing and works closely with Transmission Facility Owners, Distribution Facility Owners, generator developers, large load transmission-connected customers, and consultants.

This role has two main components to it, firstly they are responsible to primarily provide expert opinions of customer access studies engineering assessments for projects within their portfolio defined region. In addition to this, the lead engineer is expected to shape and influence the CAS staff by providing required training, mentoring, and feedback to discuss improvements.

The second component is being assigned as a CAS engineer, with an accountability to prepare an 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, including producing various technical activities and deliverables for projects, such as study scopes, engineering study reports, and reviewing external consultant engineering assessments.

Projects are executed in a matrix structure, where the functional team members have been assigned to project execution teams. These teams are led by Project Managers who are accountable for the project decision-making and delivery, ensuring appropriate customer support and meeting committed schedules.

Accountabilities include:

• Regional single point of contact, accountable for CAS cross-functional coordination with other AESO Lead Engineers, Engineering Specialists or Principal Engineers.

• Provide work direction to CAS engineering staff, engineering resource allocation to connection projects, and provide advice to Project Managers for prioritization for projects within their portfolio defined region.

• This Role will be accountable for the engineering studies deliverables and will ensure technical work within their region is carried out competently, with due diligence, and according to internal practices and processes.

• Determine alternative solutions for connecting Market Participants to Alberta’s transmission network and justify the selection of preferred alternatives based on technical, economic and impact factors

• Review, comment and accept Distribution Deficiency Reports submitted by Distribution Facility Owners.

• Analyze system constraints when identified in engineering studies and work with the AESO internal Operations, Planning, Markets, and Project Engineering groups to determine Remedial Action Schemes or mitigation plans within a connection project.

• Provide risk-based opinions or decisions considered factors such as engineering analysis, the AESOs legal/regulatory framework, economics (costs/benefits), customers, project management, and public interest.

• Represent the AESO in regulatory proceedings.

• Ensure consistent information is provided across regulatory hearings within their region.

• For projects assigned as the CAS engineer, deliver complex projects including full scope of engineering studies, Distribution system planning, economic analysis, risk and other requirements as needed.

Signs you will enjoy working on this team:

• You are comfortable with change and innovation and thrive in a dynamic environment.

• You enjoy working in a team of bright professionals and collaborating with others.

• You can multitask and balance multiple files and projects in flight.

• You have an aptitude for identifying efficiencies and improvements, sharing ideas and enjoy getting others onboard.

• You enjoy enabling other employees’ work success, growth and development. 

Signs you will enjoy this role:

• You find it fulfilling to ensure consistency on study scopes, including assumptions and forecasting for projects within their region, and gratifying when technical work is carried out competently, with due diligence, and according to internal practices and processes.

• You find it intuitive to place attention on priorities and value-add items and can recommend re-prioritization solutions.

• You enjoy building constructive relationships with internal and external stakeholders and partners in technical and business capacities.

• You like keeping up to date with industry trends and developments.

Education and Experience

• B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering. MSc. or Ph.D. in Power Systems Engineering will be an asset.

• Registered or eligible for registration with APEGA (P.Eng.).   

• Twelve or more years of engineering experience in the electric utility industry, with a focus on power systems models and analysis, customer connections, transmission planning and engineering economics will support success in this role.

• Proficiency in PSS/E software.

The following experience and demonstrated understanding will be a benefit for this role:

• Proficient in engineering study tools like PSCAD, DSATools, etc.

• AESO tariff and legal regulatory framework.

• Transmission system operations, transmission system planning, 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: June 10, 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.

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.