Distribution System Planning Engineer

ATCO; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Flex benefits

Training & mentorship programs

Charitable donation matching

Job summary

ATCO Electric in Edmonton, AB seeks a Distribution System Planning Engineer to lead area studies, load forecasts, and protection schemes for a reliable 25 kV grid. You will collaborate with regional planning, asset management, and AESO, supporting grid modernization and energy storage initiatives.

The role emphasizes planning excellence, cross-functional teamwork, and delivering robust protection and fault analyses while advancing ATCO’s commitment to customers and innovation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (ABET-accredited).
• P.Eng. designation with APEGA required.
• 2–5 years utility experience preferred.
• Strong report writing, communication and presentation skills.
• Programming in Python or VBA and advanced Excel/database skills are assets.
• Experience with modeling software like CYME, PSS/E or Aspen is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Develop distribution area studies to ensure proactive planning and reliable connections.
• Lead deficiency analyses and prepare AESO-compliant reports.
• Create load forecasts, update capacity maps and track transformer/feeder capacity.
• Provide planning technical support for grid modernization and energy storage initiatives.
• Draft and design project SLDs and protective schemes, collaborating with cross-functional teams.
• Support Customer Connection models and large distribution projects; assist in fault studies.

Job description

Job Description

Division: Engineering, Electricity

Location: Edmonton, AB

Valued and recognized!

Position Summary

Always there. Anywhere. That’s us! We’ve got a lot of energy at ATCO, focused on creating prosperity for generations to come. Embrace challenge and growth because your career journey at ATCO has the potential to be full of new experiences, inspiring challenges, and growth without boundaries.

At ATCO you’re recognized as a unique individual with an important perspective and a voice that matters. We’ve created a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere, where engineers feel they are valued for their distinct contributions and talents. Your wellness and career happiness are important to us, and we will support you in finding an optimal work life balance, ensuring you come to work feeling your best self.

Reporting to the Supervising Engineer, Distribution System Planning, this position is responsible for ATCO Electric’s 25 kV grid development and planning of the distribution system to provide exceptional services to our customers. This area of responsibility will require technical skills in distribution power system planning as well as distribution protection.

Responsibilities

System Planning

• Develop distribution area studies to ensure the proper and proactive planning of the distribution system to enable customer connections and reliability of all customers.
• Lead distribution deficiency analysis and report to meet AESO requirements. Use technical and non-technical alternative analysis. Ensure good documentation of studies and decisions as project evolves
• Complete area protection reviews.
• Develop load forecasts for internal use and AESO submission.
• Update POD capacity map.
• Develop transformers and feeder capacity tracking.
• Work collaboratively with Regional Planning, Transmission Planning, Asset Management, Substation Engineering and AESO.

Planning Technical Support

• Provide technical support on company initiatives including 8760 planning, grid modernization, distribution FACTS devices, new protection apparatus, energy storage etc.
• Support the connection of Distribution Energy Resources including protection schemes.
• Complete utility arc flash hazard assessments including maintaining system arc flash maps and incident investigations.
• Support the updates of ATCO’s Planning Standards, Guidelines, Tools and Templates.
• Provide study support for Power Quality investigations.
• Provide Planning Technical Support for all Planning groups.

Project Planning

• Support the Customer Connection Model and Large Distribution Project Process.
• Complete Ballpark studies and Distribution Planning Specifications including voltage regulation, ampacity limitations, switching behavior, motor starting, etc.
• Develop protective schemes and issue settings for programmable devices.
• Prepare distribution protection data for Transmission protection designers.
• Create and update settings for voltage regulation and D-SCADA devices.
• Complete fault studies as required by customers.
• Ground potential rise calculations.
• Motor start studies.
• Draft and design of project SLDs.
• Work collaboratively with Distribution Design, Project Management, and Project Expeditors.

Customer Service

• Work with Key Accounts, Stakeholder Relations, and Operations to exceed customer expectations.
• Identify innovative ways to meet and exceed customer experience expectations, improve service delivery and reduce costs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited University.
• Professional Engineering (P.Eng.) designation with APEGA.
• 2-5 years of related utility experience.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship development skills.
• Excellent report writing, communication and presentation skills.
• Outstanding problem solving, decision making, and organization skills.
• Programming experience with Python or VBA and strong Excel and database skills is an asset.
• Experience with modeling software such as CYME, PSS/E, or Aspen is an asset.

What We Offer

• A culture based on caring, integrity, agility, collaboration, and striving for excellence
• Competitive compensation
• Flex benefits
• Training and mentorship programs
• Charitable donation matching

At ATCO, we value work-life balance.

We would like to thank everyone for their application; however, only those being considered for an interview will be contacted.

ATCO Electric is part of ATCO Ltd. With approximately 6,000 employees and assets of $23 billion, ATCO is a diversified global holding corporation with investments in Structures & Logistics (workforce housing, innovative modular facilities, construction, site support services, and logistics and operations management), Energy Infrastructure (electricity generation, transmission and distribution; natural gas transmission, distribution and infrastructure development; energy storage and industrial water solutions; and electricity and natural gas retail sales), Transportation (ports and transportation logistics) and Commercial Real Estate. More information can be found at www.ATCO.com . ATCO is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law.

Issued: October 13, 2026

Deadline: October 27, 2026