Senior Distribution Engineer

Senior Distribution Engineer 

Oshawa Power, a subsidiary of Oshawa Power & Utilities Corporation(OPUC), and affiliate of fiber optic, district energy and renewable generation businesses, is the local hydro-electric distribution company that supplies electricity to more than 60,000 customers in the city of Oshawa. Located just 45 minutes east of Toronto off the shores of Lake Ontario, Oshawa serves as the economic engine for the Durham Region. Home to Lakeridge Health, Durham College and Ontario Tech University, Oshawa boasts a diversified economy ranging from advanced manufacturing and power generation to information technology and transportation.

Oshawa Power maintains 1000 km of overhead and underground distribution lines within a 150 km² service territory, operated at 44 and 13.8 kV, supplied by 9 distribution and 3 transmission substations. The organization is committed to the safe, reliable and efficient delivery of electricity through responsible financial management, strategic reinvestment and continuous innovation.

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Manager, Engineering Services, the Senior Distribution Engineer is responsible for a wide range of engineering support services that will ensure technical soundness, reliability, safety, and cost effectiveness of the utility and its Electrical Distribution System. Key responsibilities include short- and long-term system planning, engineering studies, technical consultation, providing support to the development and maintenance of operational and capital budgets, process improvement, project management, as well as ensuring compliance to company polices, standards, and all applicable legislated codes.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Responsible for performing various engineering studies, including short circuit, protection & coordination and load forecasting studies on CYME software.
• Performs load transfer studies and participates in short and long-term system planning.
• Review Distributed Energy Resources (DER) applications and ensure all technical interconnection requirements are met as per applicable standards.
• Responsible for the maintenance of technical standards and performs operational design reviews on primary electrical projects.
• Assists with coordination and project management of capital programs, including communications with external contractors, engineering consultants, government agencies, and customers.
• Undertakes reliability investigation and studies, performs analyses, and determines appropriate actions to improve and optimize grid operations and reliability.
• Provide support in developing and maintaining an Enterprise Wide Engineering Service model capable of providing required services to all facets of the organization.
• Review and approve major equipment, material and design drawings to be used in OPUC’s distribution system.
• Identifies, develop and prepare capital construction program and project justifications aligned to asset condition assessments and long-term system planning
• Participates in & manage distribution asset life cycle analysis and failure investigation analysis
• Provides technical knowledge and data to all relevant submissions to the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) to ensure program approval.
• Liaise with Hydro One and IESO in development of the Regional and Infrastructure Plans
• Provides technical details to Finance and Regulatory Departments to aid in the completion of Distribution System Plan (DSP) and OEB cost of service filings.
• Develops and maintains positive working relationships with all internal and external stakeholders, including employees, external customers, contractors, and government agencies.
• Ensures compliance to technical standards, polices, and all applicable legislated codes.
• Provides technical coaching, mentorship, and support to team members.
• Applies knowledge of utility standards, guides, specifications and procedures for continuous improvement.
• Participates in hazard risk and impact analysis to prioritize plans consisting of prevention, mitigation, and response to improve grid contingency and continuity.
• Participates in utility industry committees such as Utilities Standards Forum (USF) and other working groups for standards, relevant design requirements, and best practices.
• Other duties as assigned. 

Key Skills/Attributes:

• University degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems or related field.
• Registration with Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) as a Professional Engineer (P. Eng.) in the province of Ontario.
• 5+ years of related work experience in engineering, planning, project management, or related field. Preference given to experience in the electrical utility industry.
• Demonstrated knowledge of both overhead and underground distribution engineering/construction principles, practices, and methods.
• Experience in system planning and communications, line or substation design, protection and control, power system communication, SCADA, GIS, project management, budgeting, Net Present Value analysis, and Ontario Regulation 22/04.
• Knowledge of applicable Distribution Engineering Standards (USF, CSA, IEEE), Utility Work Protection Code, and Electrical Utility Safety Rules.
• Exceptional interpersonal communication skills (verbal and written) including the ability to build and maintain relationships, facilitate and collaborate on cross-functional projects, and communicate and work with employees at all levels of the organization.
• Proven effective problem solving and analytical ability, makes sound and timely decisions; identifies key issues and engages key stakeholders.
• Ability to deliver effective project management, operations, process and productivity improvements.
• Demonstrated commitment to health & safety, ethics, and continuous improvement.
• Working knowledge of engineering software systems used for distribution design, modelling, analysis, reporting, and management.
• Customer focused; demonstrates a proactive service orientation and ability to meet customer needs in a flexible but cost-effective manner.
• Highly motivated and able to work independently and within a team.
• Ability to write clear and concise technical reports, deliver effective presentations, and answer questions with definitive professional authority.
• Class “G” Driver license.

Application Process: 

Interested and qualified applicants are invited to submit their resume no later than June 6, 2023 by email to: careers@oshawapower.ca    

We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada. Should you require accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know when we contact you and we will work with you to meet your needs.