Power System Engineer

Independent Electricity System Operator

1d • CA$111,072 - CA$158,704 • Hybrid

About The Position

The IESO is committed to ensuring Ontario’s electricity system meets the province’s needs today and into the future. We are charged with purpose, delivering reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity for homes, businesses, and communities across the province. We are energized to grow, embracing opportunities to shape the future of a dynamic and evolving energy sector while advancing our careers. We are powered by teamwork, supported by diverse and passionate colleagues who foster respect, celebrate successes, and thrive on shared achievements. At the IESO, it’s not just what we do—it’s who we are!

Our central role includes managing the provincial power grid in real-time, overseeing and evolving Ontario’s electricity market, engaging with government, municipalities and Indigenous communities, and planning for Ontario’s future electricity needs. Our employees play a key role in driving grid innovation, protecting the system from threats, advancing the province’s energy conservation programs, and forecasting and procuring the electricity resources we’ll need in the decades to come. This is a unionized position that falls within the Connection Assessments team within the Markets and Reliability Business Unit.

The energy sector is rapidly evolving, offering exciting new opportunities for those who want to make a difference.

The successful candidate will possess a professional engineering license from Ontario and have extensive experience working with power systems. The Power System Engineer conducts engineering studies, analysis and application of specialized technology in the field of power systems in support of real-time operations, operations planning or planning activities. Supply analytical and technical support for policies, operating agreements, equipment specifications, operational and outage plans and system investments. Conduct model development, studies and analysis that:

contribute to the production of Operating Instructions (including System Control Orders and on-demand limits);
support IESO security, adequacy and operability obligations found in the Market Rules and in applicable NERC and NPCC reliability standards;
assess the impact on reliability and validate performance of new or modified facilities impacting the IESO-controlled-grid;
develop and update models, data and security applications for existing, new or modified facilities;
support online and off-line security model management (models, data, and security applications); and
support the coordination with neighboring entities on NERC, NPCC and regional market in the area of reliability matters.

Requirements

• Professional engineering license from Ontario.
• Extensive experience working with power systems.
• Engineering knowledge of electrical theory, power system analysis and control, mathematics, computers science and the like to conduct engineering, economic or analytical studies related to the management and control of the bulk power system.
• Knowledge of technical writing to prepare effective reports.
• Completion of an engineering/applied sciences degree from an accredited university or equivalent education.
• Licence to practice professional engineering in Ontario and competence in the field of electrical engineering.
• Lengthy exposure to the overall power system operation through progressive training in an appropriate technical field.
• Specific experience as applicable to the particular specialty of the group.
• Experience in utilization of generation resources.
• Experience in secure operation of bulk power system.
• Experience in reliability.
• Background experience in electrical engineering design concepts as they relate to the functions and characteristics of power system components.
• Background experience in analytical studies and the application of computer techniques to solve power system problems.
• Familiarity with power system operation, practices, and policies.
• Familiarity with electric energy and transmission rights market operations, practices, policies, and Market Rules.
• Familiarity with competitive market operations.
• Familiarity with provincial operating and system requirements.
• Familiarity with particulars of power system operation, including technical features of equipment and facilities, high-tension transmission, system interconnection and methods of attaining efficiency in power production and interchange between systems.
• A period of over 6 years, up to and including 8 years of experience is considered necessary.

Nice To Haves

• Those with lesser qualifications will be considered as a Power System Engineering Analyst.

Responsibilities

• Conducts engineering studies, analysis and application of specialized technology in the field of power systems in support of real-time operations, operations planning or planning activities.
• Supply analytical and technical support for policies, operating agreements, equipment specifications, operational and outage plans and system investments.
• Conduct model development, studies and analysis that contribute to the production of Operating Instructions (including System Control Orders and on-demand limits).
• Support IESO security, adequacy and operability obligations found in the Market Rules and in applicable NERC and NPCC reliability standards.
• Assess the impact on reliability and validate performance of new or modified facilities impacting the IESO-controlled-grid.
• Develop and update models, data and security applications for existing, new or modified facilities.
• Support online and off-line security model management (models, data, and security applications).
• Support the coordination with neighboring entities on NERC, NPCC and regional market in the area of reliability matters.
• Undertake System Impact, Technical Feasibility and de-registration assessments to evaluate the reliability and operability impact of a new or modified connection, or a disconnection, on the integrated power system using applicable IESO, NERC and NPCC reliability standards.
• Prepare reports containing the results of the study, any required system upgrades and connection requirements, and a recommendation for the IESO to issue a notice of approval or disapproval for the new or modified connection.
• Validate registration data based on information initially submitted for assessment. Re-assess the proposed connection if the registration data differs materially from the configuration or technical parameters that were used by the IESO to approve the new or modified facility.
• Provide support for regional and bulk power system planning, for preparation of evidence required by connection applicants to obtain the OEB’s leave to construct and for inquiries from neighboring jurisdiction as they relate to connection assessments.
• Conduct technical studies to support the IESO's initiatives for evolving the policies related to the operations and evolution of the IESO-controlled grid and the IESO-administered markets.
• Support SPS/RAS classification processes on behalf of the IESO with external standards authorities.
• Support the preparation and delivery of reliability compliance evidence, including work procedures, RSAWs, market manuals, training material and participation in reliability audits.
• Participate in task forces, as well as internal/external committees on matters related to the secure and economic operation of the IESO-controlled-grid.
• Represent the IESO on interconnection committees.
• Participate as assigned, as a representative of the IESO before regulatory agencies, etc. and endeavor to advance the interests of the organization in designated areas.
• Supply a consultative service to other departments and/or business units on matters related to adequacy, security and operability.
• Mentor and assist training of new and/or junior staff.
• Exercise limited/periodic supervision over assigned staff on special projects.
• Sign or sign and seal documents as a P Eng. thus taking professional responsibility for one’s own work.
• On occasion, sign or sign and seal documents as a P Eng. for peer review, or to assume professional engineering responsibility for engineering work performed by unlicensed staff.
• Perform other duties as required.
• Conduct detailed system impact, technical feasibility, and de-registration assessments to determine how new, modified, or retiring connections will affect the reliability and operability of the integrated power system in alignment with IESO, NERC, and NPCC standards.
• Analyze technical data, validate registration details, and re-assess projects when configurations or parameters change.
• Prepare comprehensive reports outlining study results, required system upgrades, and formal recommendations on whether connections should be approved or denied.
• Support broader system planning initiatives, respond to stakeholder and regulatory inquiries, and perform technical studies that inform the evolution of grid operations and market policies.
• Facilitate the integration of innovative and high-impact projects, including data centres, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
• Operate at the forefront of industry innovation as the first team to assess many emerging technologies seeking to connect to the grid.
• Influence the evolution of Ontario’s energy landscape while delivering customer-focused solutions.

Benefits

• Best-in-class benefits and long-term support in the form of a defined benefit pension plan.
• Dynamic learning and development opportunities—including job rotations to broaden your expertise.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level