Senior Engineer

Highlights of the job 

We are hiring a full-time, permanent Senior Engineer position working out of Edmonton, AB. This position reports to the Manager, System Control Engineering. 

The primary mission of the Senior Engineer, System Operations is to provide engineering inputs and support to System Control, manage the Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS) and support optimal integration of advanced distribution technologies into real-time operations. As a senior engineer, you work alongside a team and stakeholders in EPCOR Distribution and Transmission Inc. (EDTI) and other business areas. 

As a member of this team, you will have opportunities to participate in System Control Engineering initiatives. These include performing on-demand distribution or transmission system studies, grid risk assessment and contingency studies for planned electrical outages; enabling electrical system outage scheduling; developing system operations procedures and ERP/BRP plans; supporting department compliance with Alberta ISO rules and Alberta Reliability Standards; providing support to triage, track and assign corrections for reported grid problems and damages; and participating in System Control Operators’ training. 

You use your communication and relationship building skills to relay information and work collaboratively with others. You have strong analytical and problem solving skills and can comfortably translate complex information for your relevant audiences. 

This position may be eligible for EPCOR’s hybrid work program. 

What you’d be responsible for

• Using your deep engineering expertise to provide input to System Control Engineering plans, directions and strategy within System Operations and ensure ongoing effective relationships between other positions in System Operations Engineering, System Control Operations and the rest of EPCOR.
• Developing, maintaining and optimizing performance of the ADMS system model and power applications, such as State Estimator and Load Flow, for real time electric system operations including model management.
• Completing real time distribution and transmission system analysis in support of ongoing planned maintenance and system restoration efforts including input and assistance with system contingency planning/analysis and outage prioritization and scheduling processes.
• Creating and maintaining productive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders (e.g. System Planning, Asset Management, AESO, Altalink, etc.) and providing operational input to system upgrade projects, such as system automation, to increase system reliability.
• Leading EPCOR initiatives to integrate Distribution Energy Resources (DER’s) into System Operations.
• Providing project input, testing, validation and support for future control system improvements such as DERMS, ADMS and EMS implementation, upgrades or enhancements. 
• Reviewing and developing engineering documentation for ADMS functionalities.
• Proactively identifying and revising System Operations procedures and processes to ensure reliable and safe operations, as well as compliance to policies, standards and regulatory requirements including mitigation of risks.
• Developing and implementing operational documents for DERMS and industry best practices for System Operations.
• Analyzing and reviewing ADMS, other operational system tools configurations and data to ensure adequate operation of the power model and state estimator for safe and reliable operation of EPCOR’s electric grid.
• Demonstrating a high performance, high discipline, safe, accountable, focused, innovative and achievement-oriented, ‘easy to do business with’ manner of working. 

What’s required to be successful

• Professional Engineer with B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering, preferably specializing in power, currently registered or able to register with APEGA as a P.Eng. [MSc. or PhD is an asset].
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in utility operations, power system modelling, power grid planning or protection and control engineering. 
• Progressively responsible working knowledge of ADMS and EMS systems to support distribution and transmission power grid operations.
• Knowledge with power systems and System Control operations including advanced applications such as state estimation, FLISR and contingency analysis tools.
• Demonstrated ability to use power system analysis software for studies such as load flow, short circuit analysis, protection coordination, etc.
• Sound knowledge of electric transmission and distribution power systems, methods, and engineering to support Distribution Energy Resource (DER) integration.
• Creative problem solving coupled with an ability to manage a wide variety of issues simultaneously.
• Strong ability to lead when required and provide guidance to other team members, as well as adapt to different styles of communication. 

Other important facts about this job

Jurisdiction: PROF

Hours of work: 40 hours per week 

Application deadline: June 19, 2023 

Where to Apply: EPCOR Careers - Senior Engineer, System Operations 

This position may be eligible for a $1,500 employee referral reward! Ensure you enter “Employee Referral” as the source when you are applying. 

EPCOR Employees: please ensure that you are using your “@epcor.com” email address. 

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Please note the following information: 

• A requirement of working for EPCOR is that you are at least 18 years of age and legally entitled to work in Canada. (A copy of a valid work permit may be required.)
• If you are considered for the position, clearance on all applicable background checks (which may include criminal, identity, educational, and/or credit) and professional reference checks is required. Some EPCOR positions require an enhanced level of background assessment, which is dictated by law. These positions require advanced criminal record checks that must also be conducted from time to time after commencement of employment.
• A technical/practical assessment may be administered during the selection process and this exercise will be used as a part of the selection criterion.
• To meet the physical demands required of some positions, candidates must be in good physical condition and willing to work in all weather conditions. Clearance on pre-placement medical and drug and alcohol testing may be required.