Distribution System Planning Engineer

ATCO
Edmonton, Canada
Career-pivot friendly

Who this role is best for

Aimed at mid-level to senior electrical engineers with distribution system planning experience who thrive in collaborative, technically complex environments.

Best fit for

  • Mid-level to senior electrical engineers with 2-5 years of utility experience in distribution systems
    — “2-5 years of related utility experience”
  • Candidates with technical expertise in distribution power system planning and protection
    — “technical skills in distribution power system planning as well as distribution protection”
  • Professionally licensed engineers with a focus on collaboration across multiple departments
    — “Work collaboratively with Regional Planning, Transmission Planning, Asset Management, Substation Engineering and AESO”

Things to consider

  • Must be based in Edmonton, AB, as the role is location-specific and likely requires in-person presence
    — “Location: Edmonton, AB”
  • The role demands a balance between technical planning and customer service responsibilities
    — “Work with Key Accounts, Stakeholder Relations, and Operations to exceed customer expectations”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with load forecasting, area studies, and AESO compliance in your resume and interviews
    — “Lead distribution deficiency analysis and report to meet AESO requirements”
  • Showcase your ability to develop and maintain technical documentation and project decisions
    — “Ensure good documentation of studies and decisions as project evolves”
  • Emphasize your skills in using modeling software like CYME, PSS/E, or Aspen if available
    — “Experience with modeling software such as CYME, PSS/E, or Aspen is an asset”
  • Demonstrate your programming abilities with Python or VBA and strong Excel skills in your application materials
    — “Programming experience with Python or VBA and strong Excel and database skills is an asset”
  • Include examples of your work in distribution protection reviews and fault studies
    — “Complete fault studies as required by customers”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • Developing distribution area studies for customer connections and reliability
  • Supporting the connection of Distribution Energy Resources
Typical background
Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering

Skills & requirements

Required

Distribution System PlanningLoad ForecastingProtection SchemesFault StudiesProject Planning

Preferred

Grid ModernizationDistribution Facts DevicesEnergy Storage

Stack & domain

Distribution Power System PlanningDistribution ProtectionLoad ForecastingUtility Arc Flash Hazard AssessmentsDistribution Facts DevicesEnergy StoragePower Quality InvestigationsDistribution Protection DataVoltage RegulationAmpacity LimitationsSwitching BehaviorMotor StartingFault StudiesGround Potential Rise CalculationsMotor Start StudiesProject SldsCollaborationTechnical SupportProject PlanningCustomer ServiceInnovationProblem-solvingTeamworkElectricityDistribution SystemsEngineering

About the role

Original posting from ATCO

Division:              Engineering, Electricity

Location:             Edmonton, AB

Valued and recognized!

Position Summary:   

Always there. Anywhere. That’s us! We’ve got a lot of energy at ATCO, focused on creating prosperity for generations to come. Embrace challenge and growth because your career journey at ATCO has the potential to be full of new experiences, inspiring challenges, and growth without boundaries. 

At ATCO you’re recognized as a unique individual with an important perspective and a voice that matters. We’ve created a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere, where engineers feel they are valued for their distinct contributions and talents. Your wellness and career happiness are important to us, and we will support you in finding an optimal work life balance, ensuring you come to work feeling your best self.

Reporting to the Supervising Engineer, Distribution System Planning, this position is responsible for ATCO Electric’s 25 kV grid development and planning of the distribution system to provide exceptional services to our customers. This area of responsibility will require technical skills in distribution power system planning as well as distribution protection. 

Responsibilities:

System Planning

Develop distribution area studies to ensure the proper and proactive planning of the distribution system to enable customer connections and reliability of all customers.Lead distribution deficiency analysis and report to meet AESO requirements. Use technical and non-technical alternative analysis. Ensure good documentation of studies and decisions as project evolvesComplete area protection reviews.Develop load forecasts for internal use and AESO submission.Update POD capacity map.Develop transformers and feeder capacity tracking.Work collaboratively with Regional Planning, Transmission Planning, Asset Management, Substation Engineering and AESO. 

Planning Technical Support

Provide technical support on company initiatives including 8760 planning, grid modernization, distribution FACTS devices, new protection apparatus, energy storage etc.Support the connection of Distribution Energy Resources including protection schemes.Complete utility arc flash hazard assessments including maintaining system arc flash maps and incident investigations.Support the updates of ATCO’s Planning Standards, Guidelines, Tools and Templates.Provide study support for Power Quality investigations.Provide Planning Technical Support for all Planning groups. 

Project Planning

Support the Customer Connection Model and Large Distribution Project Process.Complete Ballpark studies and Distribution Planning Specifications including voltage regulation, ampacity limitations, switching behavior, motor starting, etc.Develop protective schemes and issue settings for programmable devices.Prepare distribution protection data for Transmission protection designers.Create and update settings for voltage regulation and D-SCADA devices.Complete fault studies as required by customers.Ground potential rise calculations.Motor start studies.Draft and design of project SLDs.Work collaboratively with Distribution Design, Project Management, and Project Expeditors. 

Customer Service

Work with Key Accounts, Stakeholder Relations, and Operations to exceed customer expectations.Identify innovative ways to meet and exceed customer experience expectations, improve service delivery and reduce costs. 

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited University.Professional Engineering (P.Eng.) designation with APEGA.2-5 years of related utility experience.Strong interpersonal and relationship development skills.Excellent report writing, communication and presentation skills.

Outstanding problem solving, decision making, and organization skills.Programming experience with Python or VBA and strong Excel and database skills is an asset.Experience with modeling software such as CYME, PSS/E, or Aspen is an asset. 

What We Offer:  

A culture based on caring, integrity, agility, collaboration, and striving for excellence  

Competitive compensation  

Flex benefits  

Training and mentorship programs  

Charitable donation matching  

At ATCO, we value work-life balance.

We would like to thank everyone for their application; however, only those being considered for an interview will be contacted.  

ATCO Electric is part of ATCO Ltd. With approximately 6,000 employees and assets of $23 billion, ATCO is a diversified global holding corporation with investments in Structures & Logistics (workforce housing, innovative modular facilities, construction, site support services, and logistics and operations management), Energy Infrastructure (electricity generation, transmission and distribution; natural gas transmission, distribution and infrastructure development; energy storage and industrial water solutions; and electricity and natural gas retail sales), Transportation (ports and transportation logistics) and Commercial Real Estate. More information can be found at www.ATCO.com. ATCO is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law.  

Issued: October 13, 2026

Deadline: October 27, 2026

Source: ATCO careers

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