Lead Engineer, Facility Design

Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO); Calgary; Hybrid; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation

Flex time

Health and dental benefits

Mental health support

Pension plan

Learning and development

Job summary

Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) is seeking a Lead Engineer, Facility Design to provide technical leadership on transmission facility design and connection projects across Alberta. Reporting to the Manager, Project Engineering, you will guide complex studies, mentor engineers, and influence engineering outcomes to ensure reliable operation of the province's power grid.

The role emphasizes collaboration with project teams, facility owners, developers, and internal AESO groups, with a

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and registration, or eligibility for registration, with APEGA as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.).
• 12+ years of engineering experience in the electric utility industry with focus on transmission facility design, substation design, cost estimating, power system modeling and analysis, customer connections, and transmission planning.
• Experience with ISO Rules and Alberta Reliability Standards is highly desirable.
• Strong leadership and mentoring capabilities with track record of engineering excellence.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for transmission facility design and customer connection projects.
• Develop, review, and approve key project deliverables (facility scopes, functional specs, PDUPs, service proposals, cost estimates, energization packages).
• Perform and review advanced power system studies and engineering assessments.
• Collaborate with facility owners, developers, consultants, and AESO teams to ensure successful outcomes.
• Mentor engineers and promote engineering best practices across the team.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and adoption of emerging technologies.

Skills

Technical leadership

Mentoring

Stakeholder collaboration

Power system modeling

Engineering analysis

Project management

Strong communication

Education

BSc in Electrical Engineering with P.Eng. eligibility

Master's or PhD in Electrical Power Systems (asset)

Job description

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

Help power Alberta's future through technical leadership on critical transmission infrastructure projects.

Reporting to the Manager, Project Engineering, the Lead Engineer, Facility Design is a senior engineering role responsible for supporting transmission facility design and connection projects across Alberta's electricity system.

Working closely with project teams, customers, facility owners, developers, and industry stakeholders, you will provide expert engineering advice and oversight throughout the project lifecycle. You will lead complex technical assessments, support engineering decision-making, mentor team members, and help drive consistent, high-quality engineering outcomes across a diverse portfolio of transmission projects. You will also contribute to the advancement of engineering practices by supporting continuous improvement initiatives, modern technologies, and innovative solutions that enhance the reliability and efficiency of Alberta's power grid. Through your expertise and influence, you will help shape the future of Alberta's electricity system while supporting its safe, reliable, and sustainable operation.

This full-time opportunity offers a competitive salary, 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.

Why join AESO

• Contribute to projects that directly impact Alberta's electricity system.
• Work alongside experienced engineering professionals and industry experts.
• Influence major transmission infrastructure developments and emerging technologies.
• Help ensure the reliability and long-term success of Alberta's power grid.
• Grow your career in a collaborative and technically challenging environment.

What you'll do

• Provide technical leadership and engineering expertise for transmission facility design and customer connection projects.
• Develop, review, and approve key project deliverables, including facility scopes, functional specifications, Project Data Update Packages (PDUPs), service proposals, cost estimates, and energization packages.
• Perform and review advanced power system studies and engineering assessments.
• Collaborate with Transmission Facility Owners, Distribution Facility Owners, Generation Facility Owners, developers, consultants, and internal AESO teams to support successful project outcomes.
• Provide technical recommendations and make risk-informed engineering decisions that consider technical, regulatory, economic, customer, and public-interest impacts.
• Support Alberta Reliability Standards initiatives and other strategic engineering activities.
• Mentor engineers and provide technical guidance, work review, and support to promote engineering excellence across the team.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, engineering best practices, and the adoption of emerging technologies.

What you'll bring to us

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and registration, or eligibility for registration, with APEGA as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.).
• 12+ years of engineering experience in the electric utility industry with a focus on transmission facility design, substation design, cost estimating, power system modeling and analysis, customer connections, transmission planning, and engineering economics.
• Demonstrated expertise in power system behavior, including transmission, distribution, and generation systems, as well as transmission equipment design and ratings.
• Strong knowledge of ISO Rules, Alberta Reliability Standards, AESO Tariff requirements, and Alberta's legal and regulatory framework.
• Experience in transmission planning, transmission system operations, power system modeling, inverter-based resources, customer connection projects, and advanced technical studies.
• Proven ability to assess technical, operational, financial, regulatory, and public-interest risks and provide practical mitigation strategies.
• Experience managing and prioritizing multiple projects, including resource planning, budgeting, scope management, scheduling, and change management.
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to clearly explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated leadership capability with experience providing technical guidance, mentoring, work review, and support to engineering professionals.
• A Master's or Ph.D. in Electrical Power Systems, experience leading or reviewing advanced technical studies (including conductor and line optimization studies, anti-islanding assessments, and harmonic analysis), and knowledge of distribution system design are considered assets.

You will enjoy working with us if

• You are passionate about power systems and want to help shape the future of Alberta's electricity infrastructure.
• You enjoy solving complex engineering challenges and applying sound technical judgment to real-world system issues.
• You are motivated by mentoring and supporting the development of other engineers and technical professionals.
• You thrive in a collaborative environment and enjoy working with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
• You enjoy balancing technical analysis, business considerations, regulatory requirements, and customer needs to support informed decision-making.
• You are energized by opportunities to improve processes, influence engineering practices, and contribute to strategic initiatives.

Application deadline

September 11, 2026

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.