Sr Protection & Control Engineer

Job Title: Senior Protection and Control Engineer

Job Level: ENG C/D
Date Posted: April 17, 2025
Closing Date: May 15, 2025
Job Type: Full-time Permanent
Category: Internal/External Opportunities

Location: Calgary

We power Alberta. Our transmission lines deliver electricity to millions of Albertans 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When you’re on our team, you’re supporting our province’s homes, farms, businesses and industries by providing safe, reliable and cost-effective service. Whether working in the field or in the office, every AltaLinker contributes to keeping the lights on.

As a member of the Berkshire Hathaway Energy family, we are part of a global group of companies delivering sustainable electricity and utility services to customers worldwide. Our exceptional customer service, commitment to the environment, and world-class safety record makes us a leader in our industry.

Today, the transmission system is more important than ever. As we connect new sources of renewable energy to the grid and support Alberta’s energy transition to net-zero emissions, AltaLink’s transmission system is the backbone of the changing electricity system. With our head office in Calgary, and regional offices in Greater Edmonton, Red Deer and Lethbridge, we have central and southern Alberta covered.

We offer work with meaning, incredible opportunities for development, work life balance and opportunities to contribute to your community.  Join our team! 

Job Description:

An opportunity currently exists for Protection & Control (P&C) Engineer in the Operational Engineering team within the Operations organization at AltaLink. Reporting to the Manager, Operational Engineering, the successful candidate will be part of a multi-disciplinary engineering team responsible for the direction, analysis, records and resolution of operational issues on AltaLink’s transmission facilities in Alberta, which range from 69kV to 500kV.

This position will appeal to individuals with a utility Protection and Control background who are looking for an opportunity to develop their engineering and leadership talents in a dynamic utility environment.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and update P&C and Remedial Action Scheme (RAS) settings and designs.
• Review and approve the P&C settings and designs as required.
• Assess the protection performance of outages planned on AltaLink’s facilities. Propose temporary protection setting changes as necessary.
• Assess the protection and Remedial Action Scheme (RAS) performance of outages planned on AltaLink’s Telecom MPLS network.
• Address P&C performance issues identified by internal teams through protection coordination studies, disturbance analysis and real-time operations.
• Provide real-time engineering support to AltaLink’s P&C field technicians.
• Work with distribution facility owners (DFOs) to coordinate transformer and feeder protection.
• Work with other transmission facility owners (TFOs) to coordinate transmission protection settings as per PRC-001 Protection System Coordination.
• Support compliance to Alberta Reliability Standards, including but not limited to PRC-001, PRC-006, PRC-023, and the CIP requirements.
• Review protection load-ability against facility ratings and ensure compliance to PRC-023 Transmission Reliability Load-ability and FAC-008 Facility Ratings.
• Perform root cause failure analysis (RCFA) investigation, analysis, and reporting on protection system failures.
• Review and approve field mark-up drawings related to P&C design.
• Respond to questions from internal and external parties related to P&C settings, designs, fault levels and fault clearing time.
• Support the completeness of P&C return data and the accuracy and completeness of AltaLink’s P&C settings database Powerbase.
• Develop and review technical standards in the Protection & Control domain to ensure acceptable levels of safety, reliability, operability, and maintainability.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering.
• Must be registered as Professional Engineer with the Association of Engineers & Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA).
• 10 years of relevant experience, job level will be considered and evaluated based on the candidate’s overall experience and knowledge.
• Have a valid Class 5 driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record.
• Proven ability/experience in the above noted responsibilities.
• Excellent knowledge of modern digital protective relays in utility applications and experience calculating relay settings.
• Technical knowledge and understanding of electric transmission system operation, maintenance, performance, power equipment and substation design.
• Knowledge of applicable standards such as CSA, ANSI, IEC and IEEE standards.
• Working knowledge of MathCAD and CAPE.
• Familiarity with Alberta Reliability Standards, specifically the PRC, FAC, and CIP series.
• Demonstrated strong analytical, risk assessment and problem-solving skills.
• Familiarity with local area networks, communication schemes, platforms and protocols used to provide local and remote interrogation with substation relays, meters, fault recorders and other intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) would be an asset.
• Strong verbal and written (reporting, graphical) communication skills with ability to work in a team environment, positively influence others, and develop strong internal and external relationships.
• Effective interpersonal skills to interface with team members and customers to promote positive outcomes.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage a wide variety of issues simultaneously.
• Proven track record of good performance and attendance.

Notes:

Internal candidates can submit their resume internally via https://referrals.workable.com/altalink/jobs/

External candidates can submit their application via Workable externally at AltaLink - Current Openings (workable.com).

AltaLink employees should be aware that we may contact your manager during the selection process.  Some positions may require job specific assessments, regular criminal record checks, additional AltaLink training, medical assessments, annual drivers abstract, and drug tests.  Please contact the Hiring Manager or Recruiter for further clarification if required.

We thank all candidates for their interest in a career with AltaLink. Due to the high volume of applications, we will only be contacting candidates being considered for an interview. We sincerely appreciate all interest and invite all candidates to follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and/or X.

In proceeding with your application, you will be required to submit personal information to AltaLink through our applicant tracking service provider and this information will be accessible to AltaLink personnel involved in AltaLink’s hiring processes.  AltaLink also relies on third parties to assist in the hiring process and your information may be provided to them for this purpose. In the application process, AltaLink will require you to provide consent to the collection, use, and storage of your personal information for these purposes.

At AltaLink, we celebrate diversity and inclusion. We are committed to fair employment practices, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, religious beliefs, colour, gender, gender identity, gender expression, physical disability, mental disability, age, ancestry, place of origin, marital status, family status, source of income, sexual orientation or any other category protected by applicable provincial or federal law.

For eligible positions AltaLink offers optional hybrid work that provides flexibility between working from home and the office.

• Extended Healthcare Plan (Medical, Disability, Dental & Vision)
• Spending Accounts
• Competitive Compensation and Bonus Plan
• Defined Contribution Pension Plan and Group RRSP
• Group Life Insurance
• Hybrid Work Schedule for Eligible Roles
• Employee Assistance Program
• Vacation, Earned Time off, Birthdays Off Work and 13 Recognized Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Social Club
• Onsite Parking and Onsite Gym
• Wellness Programs