Senior Engineer, Model Validation

AESO•Calgary, AB

10d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) is responsible for the safe, reliable, and economic planning and operation of the Alberta Interconnected Electric System, providing open and non-discriminatory access to the power grid and facilitating the competitive wholesale electricity market. AESO aims to foster an inclusive, diverse, and equitable workplace. This full-time Senior Engineer, Model Validation role reports to the Manager, Project Engineering. The successful candidate will be a subject matter expert in model validation, responsible for reviewing and validating power system models and Project Data Update Packages (PDUPs) to ensure accuracy and consistency for interconnection studies. The role involves coaching and mentoring through internal training, creating guidelines, checklists, and streamlining internal processes. This position is critical for reinforcing technical strength in power system studies and ensuring timely, quality project deliverables. The Senior Engineer will collaborate with Lead, Senior, and Principal Engineers across AESO, as well as internal and external stakeholders on project modeling matters. The company offers a hybrid work environment with in-office days on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and flexible remote work on Mondays and Fridays. The ideal candidate values flexibility, enjoys working in a diverse team, thrives in a dynamic environment, possesses strong communication skills, has an aptitude for raising competencies, and can collaborate effectively in a matrix environment to guide conflict resolution and navigate ambiguous situations.

Requirements

B.Sc. degree in Electrical Engineering.
Registered with or eligible to be registered with APEGA (P.Eng.).
10+ years of engineering experience in the electric utility industry, with a focus on power system models and analysis, PDUPs creation, review and validation.
Comprehensive understanding of the electricity sector regulatory framework in Alberta, AESO Tariff, reliability standards, and transmission facilities.
Proficient in power system study tools, especially good understanding of the PSSE based steady state, and dynamic and electromagnetic transient studies for interconnection purposes.

Nice To Haves

Additional experience in transmission planning, power system operations and customer access studies will be an asset.
Experience in developing and validating power system models for both Electromagnetic Transient and Phasor domain simulations will be an asset.

Responsibilities

Lead independent technical reviews and validation of project models, which will be utilized in power system studies, load flow, short‑circuit, dynamic, and stability studies.
Validate model logic, assumptions, data sources, methodologies, and results for accuracy, robustness, and fitness for intended use.
Review and validate generator, plant, and network static and dynamic models, including parameterization and control representations.
Validate line impedances (R, X, B), thermal ratings, and seasonal limits, transformer parameters (impedances, tap changers, phase shifters, grounding), substation configurations, breaker models, bus arrangements, and protection interfaces as required.
Assess model convergences, numerical stability, and sensitivity to parameter variations.
Interpret modeling results and clearly communicate implications, risks, sensitivities, and uncertainties to the market participants.
Identify and mitigate model risk, escalating material issues that could impact project or system decisions to the external and internal teams.
Establish and apply structured model validation frameworks, checklists, and peer‑review protocols.
Support development and validation of interconnection studies cases.
Mentor other team engineers and reviewers in best practices for power system and transmission modeling.
Actively participate in cross-functional technical groups and disseminate best practices and technical information to the Project Engineering team.