Senior Engineer - System Modelling & Planning Support

Tobermory; City of Langley; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 139,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Flexible work arrangement

Lifetime pension

15 paid vacation days annually

Job summary

BC Hydro in Edmonds A03 seeks a Senior Engineer to lead system modelling and planning support for transmission planning. You will model steady-state and dynamic systems, validate data, and provide technical direction to engineers and staff.

Responsibilities include compliance with NERC standards, WECC data requests, and coordinating with FBC, AESO, and BPA. A strong MS/PM background and programming skills are valued.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or higher in Electrical Power Systems Engineering.
• Registered or eligible for EGBC Professional Engineer.
• 8+ years in data modelling, software development or power system studies.
• Experience with PSS/E, DSA Tools, GE-PSLF, PowerWorld, PSCAD/EMTDC, EMTP-RV, PI.
• Strong teamwork, communication, and technical writing skills.
• Knowledge of CIM is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide SME in power system modelling and data model validation.
• Implement load forecasts, base resource plans, interconnection data.
• Lead engineers and staff in modeling base cases and dynamic models.
• Maintain compliance with NERC MRS standards.
• Coordinate with utilities and WECC groups for reliability assessments.
• Engage with planning groups to implement models and policies.

Skills

Power systems engineering

Data modelling

Team leadership

Interpersonal communication

Technical writing

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's or higher in Electrical Power Systems Engineering

EGBC Professional Engineer registration or eligible

Tools

PSS/E

DSA Tools

GE-PSLF

PowerWorld

PSCAD/EMTDC

EMTP-RV

PI

Job description

BC Hydro is located at Edmonds A03. The company is currently looking for applications for the role of Senior Engineer - System Modelling & Planning Support. We are seeking a self-disciplined individual with exceptional interpersonal skills. The chosen applicant will be required to join and begin their duties as soon as possible. This is a permanent, full-time position.

Employer Name: BC Hydro
Position: Senior Engineer - System Modelling & Planning Support
No. of vacancies: 1
Salary: $ 109,700.00 - 138,700.00 annually
Employment type: Permanent, Full-time
Location: Edmonds A03

• The candidate will be responsible for providing subject matter expertise in power system modelling by performing data modelling, reviewing and validating data models, and conducting quality assurance for transmission circuits, station equipment, and generation facilities. The candidate will also implement load forecasts, base resource plans, interconnection queue information, as-built data for capital and sustain projects, external system models, and system operating order updates.
• The candidate will provide work experience, leadership, and technical direction to engineers and technical staff in setting up, testing, tuning, benchmarking, and building steady-state and dynamic models (base cases). The candidate will also support knowledge transfer and deliver training on analytical methods and techniques used in specialized power systems application software for the planning, design, and operation of electrical power systems.
• The candidate will be responsible for providing leadership, technical direction, and practical guidance to engineers and technical staff in maintaining and supporting existing software used for transmission planning and business operations, including applications that provide access to equipment data and project planning scopes.
• The candidate will be responsible for maintaining ongoing compliance with and promoting awareness of NERC MRS standards applicable to steady-state and dynamic data models used for transmission planning, including MOD-010, MOD-012, MOD-025, MOD-026, MOD-027, MOD-031, MOD-032, MOD-033, and TPL-001-4 standards.
• The candidate will be responsible for responding to WECC data requests related to power flow and dynamic base cases, generating unit model validation, Remedial Action Schemes in standardized WECC format, Composite Load Model, Relay Models, Sequence Data, Load and Resource Information, and Geomagnetic Induced Current data. The role includes coordinating with other utilities such such as FBC, AESO, and BPA.
• The candidate will be responsible for representing BC Hydro through active participation in WECC’s Reliability Assessment Committee Data and Model Subcommittees working groups that address steady-state and dynamic data requirements for transmission reliability assessments.
• The candidate will interact with relevant groups in Integrated Planning, Operations, and Capital Infrastructure Project Delivery to implement processes, requirements, criteria, standards, and policies related to power system models for transmission planning.
• The candidate will develop and maintain effective professional relationships with internal and external customers to address service requests for specialized engineering studies, including load interconnections, generation interconnections, capital plans, short- and long-range transmission planning, and annual NERC TPL studies. The candidate will understand requirements, define work scopes, implement and test data models, and deliver planning study models on time based on customer specifications.

Job Requirements

• The candidate must hold a Bachelor's degree or higher academic degree in Electrical Power Systems Engineering from a qualified university.
• The candidate must be registered, or eligible for immediate registration, as a Professional Engineer with Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia (EGBC).
• The candidate must have a minimum of eight (8) years of working experience in data modelling, software development, and/or performing specialized electrical power system studies, including power flows, dynamic stability simulations, voltage stability, short-circuit calculations, reactive var planning and optimization, and frequency response analysis, for a senior engineer position (P3). Applicants who do not meet the full qualifications or have less work experience may be considered for a lower-level engineer position.
• The candidate must have work experience using power system simulation tools and software such as PSS/E, DSA Tools, GE-PSLF, PowerWorld, ASPEN, PSCAD/EMTDC, EMTP-RV, and PI.
• The candidate must have the ability to review and verify plant record information for transmission circuits and station equipment and extract data models as required by power application software used for transmission planning.
• The candidate must have knowledge of fundamental engineering concepts applied to power system reliability evaluation, with particular emphasis on composite generation and transmission reliability assessment.
• The candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal, communication, technical writing, and organizational skills, along with the ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• The candidate will be preferred if they demonstrate a strong academic background and expertise in the planning and operation of electrical power systems.
• Preference will be given to candidates with software development skills in electrical power systems using specialized programming languages such as FORTRAN, C++, C#, Python, Perl, Awk, HTML/XML, and Java, as well as experience with industry-standard databases including Oracle and SQL Server.
• The candidate will be considered an asset if they have knowledge and exposure to the latest developments in CIM (Common Information Model), a standard developed by the electricity industry for data modelling and exchange.

Security and safety

• The candidate will be required to undergo alcohol and drug testing prior to employment due to the safety-sensitive nature of the role.
• The candidate will receive a comprehensive benefits package.
• The candidate will be eligible for a minimum of 15 paid vacation days annually.
• The candidate will receive a lifetime pension benefit.
• The candidate will be eligible for a flexible work arrangement based on role requirements.
• The candidate will receive access to training and development courses.