Manager, System Planning

Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO); Calgary; Hybrid; CAD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental benefits

Defined contribution pension plan

Learning and development opportunities

Hybrid work environment

Paid vacation and flex time

Job summary

The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) seeks a Manager, System Planning in Calgary to lead a team of engineers responsible for transmission planning, reliability standards, and major projects across Alberta. You will provide technical oversight, drive planning processes, and support delivery of critical transmission initiatives.

This is a senior, strategic role with ownership of the Long-Term Transmission Plan and ARS/ISO compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering; P.Eng. with APEGA or eligible.
• 15+ years in electricity industry with transmission planning experience preferred.
• Proven leadership with high-performing teams and strong communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead the System Planning team, including budgeting and alignment with corporate policies.
• Oversee delivery of the Long-Term Transmission Plan (LTP) and ARS compliance.
• Manage transmission planning projects and studies supporting AUC applications and Need Identification Documents.
• Develop, maintain, and enhance planning processes, procedures, and methodologies.
• Collaborate across AESO to support customer connections and strategic initiatives.
• Provide technical leadership, oversight, and key decision-making support.
• Foster employee development through coaching, training, and career growth.
• Represent the AESO in regulatory proceedings, stakeholder engagements, and industry forums.

Skills

Leadership

Transmission planning

Power system analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Regulatory knowledge

Team development

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering

Post-graduate degree preferred

P.Eng. with APEGA

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

Reporting to the Director, Grid Planning, the Manager, System Planning leads a team of engineers responsible for transmission system planning, reliability standards compliance, and developing transmission infrastructure projects across Alberta. In this strategic leadership role, you will provide technical oversight, drive planning processes and methodologies, and support the delivery of critical transmission initiatives.

Working closely with a parallel System Planning team, you collaborate to balance workload, share resources, and deliver Alberta's most significant transmission projects. The role also shares accountability for the AESO's Long-Term Transmission Plan (LTP) and the evidence required to demonstrate compliance with Alberta Reliability Standards (ARS).

This full-time opportunity offers a competitive salary. We also have 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.

Accountabilities

• Lead the System Planning team, including workforce planning, budgeting, and alignment with corporate policies.
• Share accountability for delivering the LTP.
• Ensure compliance with ARS, ISO Rules, and transmission planning requirements.
• Oversee transmission planning projects, including engineering and economic studies that support AUC applications and Need Identification Documents.
• Develop, maintain, and enhance planning processes, procedures, and methodologies.
• Adapt planning practices to evolving policy, market design, and tariff requirements.
• Collaborate across the AESO to support customer connections and strategic initiatives.
• Provide technical leadership, oversight, and key decision-making support.
• Foster employee development through coaching, training, and career growth opportunities.
• Represent the AESO in regulatory proceedings, stakeholder engagements, and industry forums.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Post-graduate degree (M.Eng., M.Sc., or Ph.D.) preferred.
• Registered Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) with APEGA (or able to register).

Experience

• Proven leadership experience with an ability to develop high-performing teams.
• 15+ years of experience in the electricity industry, with transmission planning experience considered an asset.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make sound decisions in complex and uncertain environments.
• An inclusive and emotionally intelligent leader who demonstrates authenticity, self-awareness, and respect in their interactions with others.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex technical concepts to a variety of audiences.
• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholders across the electricity industry.
• Knowledge of Alberta's electricity industry framework, including EUA, Transmission Regulation, ARS, and ISO Rules & Tariff.
• Technical expertise in transmission system planning and power system analysis, with experience in areas such as system studies, modeling, simulation, and emerging grid technologies.
• Broad understanding of related disciplines, including electricity markets, economics, forecasting, data analytics, asset management, and transmission infrastructure development.

Application Deadline

October 28, 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.