Line Design & Project Engineer

AltaLink•Calgary, AB

6d•Onsite

About The Position

An exciting opportunity currently exists for a “Line Design & Project Engineer” within the Project Development – Lines & Civil Engineering Department at AltaLink. Reporting to the Manager, Lines & Civil Engineering. The successful candidate will provide a blend of transmission line design expertise and project engineering leadership for capital, customer, Direct Assign, rebuild, modification, maintenance and urgent restoration projects. The role supports work from early scoping and conceptual development through detailed design, engineering execution, construction support, acceptance, energization and close-out. This position works closely with Project Managers, internal designers, external design engineers, EPC resources, construction resources, procurement, functional teams, customers and other stakeholders to ensure transmission line facilities are safely, reliably and cost-effectively integrated into AltaLink’s high voltage transmission system. The role requires the ability to prepare and review design work, lead engineering scope, manage technical interfaces, resolve field and design issues, and provide practical technical direction under tight project timelines.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Civil or Electrical Engineering.
Qualifies for registration as a Professional Engineer with the Association of Engineers & Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA).
Intermediate level (C): minimum 5 years of project engineering experience, with a minimum 2 years of transmission line design experience.
Sr. level (D): minimum 10 years of project engineering experience, with a minimum 5 years of transmission line design experience.
Proven ability/experience in above noted responsibilities.
Demonstrated experience supporting transmission line projects from concept and technical definition through design, execution, construction support, acceptance and close-out.
Strong technical understanding of transmission line design principles, construction practices, project integration requirements and the ability to prepare, review and challenge design work.
Working knowledge of transmission line materials, structures, foundations, geotechnical considerations, conductor/OPGW applications, insulator and hardware selection, constructability risks and related design coordination.
Working knowledge of PLS-CADD and PLS-POLE is required; experience with PLS-Tower, PLS-CAISSON, line rating tools, thermal rating methods or line optimization studies is an asset.
Experience with DBMs, scope documents, calculations, studies, IFCR/IFC packages, external engineering submissions, technical specifications, material lists, engineering budgets, change orders and project close-out records.
Ability to interpret geotechnical reports at a level sufficient to coordinate with geotechnical and civil/foundation specialists, identify design or constructability risks, and incorporate appropriate assumptions into line design packages.
Knowledge of AltaLink standards, Alberta power system facility requirements, AEUC, CSA and applicable ISO reliability requirements.
Demonstrated ability to lead technical issue resolution, assess risk, make sound engineering recommendations and influence project outcomes.
Strong organizational, communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and work effectively with office and field staff.
Demonstrated ability to work under tight timelines and in high stress situations.
Demonstrated mentoring, coaching or technical leadership experience with junior engineers, EITs, designers or cross-functional project teams.
Effective communication and interpersonal skills to interface with team members and customers to promote positive customer outcomes.
Must have a valid class 5 driver’s license and be willing to travel to site as required.
Proven track record of good performance and attendance.

Nice To Haves

experience with PLS-Tower, PLS-CAISSON, line rating tools, thermal rating methods or line optimization studies is an asset.
Experience supporting customer interconnections, Direct Assign work, capital replacement, maintenance projects, Facility Applications, AESO information requests, PDUP, line ratings or functional team interfaces would be an asset.

Responsibilities

Lead the transmission line design and project engineering scope for assigned projects from scoping and conceptual development through detailed design, construction support, acceptance, energization and close-out.
Prepare detailed calculations, studies, bills of material and design packages for transmission line capital, customer, Direct Assign and system projects.
Prepare PLS-CADD models for design package development, existing line clearance evaluations, line ratings, reconductoring assessments and line optimization studies.
Complete line design packages for all AltaLink transmission voltage classes, including 69kV, 138kV, 240kV and 500kV assets, including rebuilds, modifications, greenfield lines, customer interconnections and emergency restoration work.
Develop and maintain design basis memorandums, scope documents, technical requirements and engineering inputs needed for estimating, sanctioning, tendering and construction readiness.
Lead preliminary line design, route and structure option development, constructability review, material selection, design change resolution and technical decision-making for complex transmission projects.
Provide technical direction to internal designers, external design engineers, EPC resources, construction resources and field stakeholders on scope, standards, design assumptions, constructability, quality and safety expectations.
Review and challenge IFCR/IFC packages, drawings, specifications, material lists and engineering submissions for completeness, constructability, standards compliance, safety, operability, maintainability and alignment with project scope.
Coordinate engineering deliverables with designers, schedulers and Project Managers, including IFCR, IFC, staking, material review, as-built/as-recorded and RDDL requirements.
Support construction execution and close-out by resolving field questions, material issues, redline updates, design clarifications, technical comments and return-data requirements.
Apply practical geotechnical and foundation knowledge when developing or reviewing line designs, including investigation outputs, soil and groundwater conditions, foundation reactions, constructability risks and coordination with civil/foundation specialists.
Support material readiness and governance by working with designers, procurement, suppliers and project teams on long-lead material risks, reservations, substitutions, technical specifications and escalation requirements.
Coordinate technical inputs related to line ratings, impedance, P&C setting impacts, AESO PDUP requirements, Facility Applications, information requests, regulatory/hearing support and other functional interfaces as required.
Resolve senior-level technical issues related to standards interpretation, constructability, material substitutions, design deviations, field changes and project integration risks.
Support engineering standards development, design practice improvements and application of current or historical code requirements, including AEUC, CSA and applicable ISO reliability requirements.
Build and maintain effective working relationships with Project Managers, suppliers, external engineering resources, construction resources, customers and field stakeholders to support practical decisions and positive project outcomes.
Report engineering status, risks, decisions and required escalations to Project Managers and the Engineering Manager.
Mentor junior engineers, EITs, designers and technical staff through technical coaching, design review, project engineering guidance and knowledge sharing.
Demonstrate key behaviors and meet identified expectations outlined in our four cultural pillars – one team, continuous improvement, customer focus and personal accountability.