Lead Engineer, Customer Access Studies

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.

If you are a current AESO employee or contractor, please view openings and apply through our internal site at Workday.

The Customer Access Studies (CAS) team is looking for a Lead Engineer to conduct expert engineering assessments for project work delivery, lead work direction, and train and mentor team members. In this position, you will work cross‑functionally with other business units in the AESO, including project management, forecasting, system planning, system operations, engineering, regulatory, legal, and tariff. You will be external facing and work closely with Transmission Facility Owners, Distribution Facility Owners, generator developers, large load transmission‑connected customers, and consultants.

This position has two main components. First, you are responsible for providing expert opinions of customer access studies engineering assessments for projects within their portfolio defined region. In addition, you will shape and influence the CAS staff by providing required training, mentoring, and feedback to discuss improvements. Second, you will be assigned as a CAS engineer, with accountability for preparing engineering solutions to project challenges, including technical decision‑making for assigned projects, engineering assessments, documentation, and technical regulatory support to facilitate System Access Service Requests to the AIES, including producing various technical activities and deliverables for projects, such as study scopes, engineering study reports, and reviewing external consultant engineering assessments.

Projects are executed in a matrix structure, where the functional team members have been assigned to project execution teams. These teams are led by Project Managers who are accountable for the project decision‑making and delivery, ensuring appropriate customer support and meeting committed schedules.

This full‑time opportunity offers a competitive salary, and a variable pay program. 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.

• Regional single point of contact, accountable for CAS cross‑functional coordination with other AESO Lead Engineers, Engineering Specialists or Principal Engineers.
• Provide work direction to CAS engineering staff, engineering resource allocation to connection projects, and provide advice to Project Managers for prioritization for projects within their portfolio defined region.
• Accountable for the engineering studies deliverables and will ensure technical work within their region is carried out competently, with due diligence, and according to internal practices and processes.
• Determine alternative solutions for connecting Market Participants to Alberta’s transmission network and justify the selection of preferred alternatives based on technical, economic and impact factors.
• Review, comment, and accept Distribution Deficiency Reports submitted by Distribution Facility Owners.
• Analyze system constraints when identified in engineering studies and work with the AESO internal Operations, Planning, Markets, and Project Engineering groups to determine Remedial Action Schemes or mitigation plans within a connection project.
• Provide risk‑based opinions or decisions considered factors such as engineering analysis, the AESOs legal/regulatory framework, economics (costs/benefits), customers, project management, and public interest.
• Represent the AESO in regulatory proceedings.
• Ensure consistent information…