Oversight Electrical Engineer Senior IV

Title: Sr Oversight Electrical Engineer IV
Duration: 1 year
Work Model: Hybrid - Mon, Tues, Thurs (office) / Weds, Fri (home)
Location: Edmonton, AB
 
High-Level Description
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Oversight Electrical Engineer to oversee engineering and design aspects of utility-scale solar and wind projects in the USA and Canada. The successful candidate will be responsible for reviewing and managing EPC contractors’ engineering packages (IFR and IFC) and ensuring compliance with project requirements, industry standards, and interconnection regulations. Additionally, this role involves evaluating high-voltage (HV) substation and PV/Wind plant designs, overseeing interconnection studies, and providing technical leadership throughout the project lifecycle.  

Specific Accountabilities

• Lead the review of EPC contractor's engineering and design packages (IFR and IFC) for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with applicable codes (NEC, NESC, IEEE, NFPA, etc.) Provide technical feedback and coordinate design refinements with EPCs and stakeholders.   
• Assess HV substation and PV plant electrical designs, including substation general arrangements, one-line diagrams, grounding, protection schemes, and relay coordination studies. 
• Ensure proper integration of MV and HV equipment, including main power transformers (MPTs), inverters, switchgear, and circuit breakers.  
• Ensure adherence to industry standards, including IEEE, UL, CAS, NFPA, NESC, and NEC. 
• Evaluate design risks and recommend cost-effective engineering solutions.  
• Collaborate with EPC teams to ensure comprehensive documentation is submitted to regulatory bodies (e.g., ERCOT, FERC, NERC), demonstrating compliance with operational and interconnection standards. Work closely with regulatory teams to ensure all electrical interconnection implementations meet local, state, and federal regulations.  
• Accountable for the preparation of detailed engineering construction drawings within the assigned area, ensuring efficient and functional designs. Ensure adequate information is provided to enable cost-effective construction of Solar/Wind facilities; 
• Accountable for ensuring design compliance with project procedures, design standards (including providing recommendations for improvements), regulatory, environmental, health, and safety requirements. 
• Participates in design review meetings to ensure consistency in the scope, design, and expected performance. Follows applicable design review procedures 
• Lead the specification and requisition of materials by reviewing vendor materials quotations, performing technical bid evaluations, and providing recommendations based on technical merit. Collaborate with Supply Chain to procure material via internal tools. 
• Provide technical support during all project phases, including project development, detailed design, construction, commissioning, and closeout. 
• Provide technical guidance during construction, addressing engineering-related RFIs and field modifications.  
• Support the commissioning and testing of HV substations and PV/wind plant electrical systems and protection systems.  
• Participate in and witness the factory acceptance tests (FATs) and site acceptance tests (SATs) for major electrical equipment as required.  
• Responsible for the successful operations of the assigned area with significant corporate financial impact.
• Oversee the development and/or implementation of technical solutions, ensuring efficient coordination of technical resources and with other internal and external stakeholders.

Scope/Dimension:

• Responsible for the successful operations of the assigned area with significant corporate financial impact.
• Oversees the development and/or implementation of technical solutions, ensuring efficient coordination of technical resources and with other internal and external stakeholders.
• Provides informal leadership to peers

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• 10+ years of experience in electrical engineering system design and commissioning activities, including a minimum of 3 years in renewable energy projects (solar, wind, HV substations, BESS, and grid interconnection). 
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in electrical engineering. 
• Professional Engineer designation with APEGA or equivalent, or eligibility to register. 
• In-depth knowledge of HV substations (34.5kV – 345kV), PV or wind plant electrical systems, power system analysis, and protection & control schemes.  
• Strong understanding of grid interconnection processes and utility-scale renewable energy integration.  
• Effective and professional interpersonal skills, both verbal and written. 
• Strong facilitation, collaboration, and negotiation skills to influence and drive forward results and decisions without formal authority.
• Role requires a valid driver’s license, which will be verified with a motor vehicle check before hire.

Preferred:

• Familiarity with SCADA, RTUs, and communication protocols (DNP3, Modbus, IEC 61850)
• Experience with cable heating, AC/DC cable losses, transient recovery voltage (TRV), insulation coordination, grounding, load flow, short circuit, and transformer energization studies
• Experience with power system analysis and modeling software tools (e.g., PSS/E, ETAP, PSCAD, SKM)
• Office environment - hybrid (office and home as per Company schedule)
• 10% travel, which will include overnight business trips to the field or vendor shop, may be required and requires Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

 

Applicant Notices & Disclaimers

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At SPECTRAFORCE, we are committed to maintaining a workplace that ensures fair compensation and wage transparency in adherence with all applicable state and local laws. The pay rate for this position is C$77.85/hr.