Specialist Engineer - Integrated System Planning and Load Forecast

Job Location:

Burnaby, BC

Employment type:

Permanent

Hours of work:

Full-time (37.5 hrs/week)

Annual Salary:

$ 127,900.00 - 161,800.00

No. of positions:

1

About the job:

As a Specialist Engineer, you will provide expert leadership in load forecasting and integrated system planning, shaping BC Hydro’s future grid to meet evolving demand, climate resilience, and strategic investment goals. You will lead complex technical initiatives, mentor teams, and collaborate across departments to ensure alignment with organizational priorities.

What you’ll do

Key Responsibilities

Forecasting & Scenario Planning

• Develop comprehensive load forecasts reflecting electrification trends across residential, commercial, industrial, and transportation sectors.

• Integrate climate variables (e.g., temperature extremes, seasonal shifts) into models to assess impacts on peak demand and energy consumption.

• Account for distributed energy resources (DERs), electric vehicles (EVs), and flexible loads in shaping future demand profiles.

• Build multiple demand scenarios to address uncertainties in technology adoption, policy shifts, and climate impacts.

• Lead area and community-level load forecast development, embedding resilience metrics and adaptation strategies.

• Develop a strategy to integrate capacity-focused Demand Side Management into load forecasting; establish guidelines for estimating demand from new loads and defining methodologies for incorporating these loads into forecast models

Methodology & Data Integration

• Independently refine forecasting methodologies and planning practices to reflect organizational needs and industry standards.

• Ensure robust data integration and cross-functional collaboration to establish a trusted source for integrated planning and decision-making.

Integrated System Planning

• Provide technical leadership in developing system area plans that integrate distribution and substation practices, supporting transmission planning.

• Review and guide high-risk or complex plans, making sustained contributions to system-wide reliability and performance.

• Lead cross-disciplinary collaboration to mitigate risks and develop solutions aligned with planning requirements and strategic objectives.

Investment Strategy & Performance

• Lead project teams in preparing Integrated Investment Strategies that align substation, transmission, and distribution investments with forecasted demand and reliability goals.

• Develop staged investment plans considering regulatory timelines, budget constraints, and evolving system needs.

• Define business objectives and performance metrics, supporting technical and operational performance management.

Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement

• Foster collaboration, mentorship, and knowledge transfer within planning teams and across BC Hydro.

• Build influential relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners including municipalities, consultants, technical societies, utilities, and suppliers.

• Represent Integrated Planning in public consultations, regulatory processes, and external forums.

What you bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering; registered or eligible for registration as a Professional Engineer with Engineers and Geoscientists BC (EGBC). Consideration may be given to other recognized and accredited degrees (such as Integrated Engineering, Mechatronic Systems Engineering, Engineering in Smart Grid Systems and Technologies, Systems Engineering etc.) with a demonstrable focus in Electrical Engineering subjects.

• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in electrical engineering, with a focus on system planning, engineering design, and utility operations.

• Proven leadership in distribution system planning and asset management initiatives.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong strategic thinking, business planning, and organizational skills.

• Ability to independently resolve complex engineering problems, considering cost, operability, and safety.

• Expertise in interpreting technical studies, developing forecasting models, and evaluating system modifications.

• Deep understanding of BC Hydro’s systems, policies, and procedures related to distribution planning.

• Demonstrated leadership in technical committees, conference presentations, and regulatory forums.

• Excellent communication skills—written, verbal, and interpersonal—with the ability to engage technical and non-technical audiences.

• Effective team building, coaching, mentoring, and conflict management capabilities.

• Proven ability to influence outcomes and build strong relationships across diverse stakeholder groups.

What we offer

- A minimum of 15 paid vacation days

- A lifetime pension

- Flexible work model, depending on your role type

- Training and development courses

For more information on the benefits we offer, visit bchydro.com/benefits.

What else you should know

• Occasional travel within BC and beyond may be required, including visits to remote locations.

• A condition of employment for this job is that you maintain the following requirements in good standing: Driver's License Type = Class 5

• This position is a hybrid role, requiring 2 or more days a week in the Edmonds office.

• There may be a presentation component to interviewing and/or Excel based data management assessment.

Please be advised that this role has been assessed as safety sensitive and pre-qualification alcohol and drug testing will be required as a pre-condition to employment.

How to apply

Interested candidates should submit their applications online at Careers

On the BC Hydro Careers site, click on the Apply button in order to complete the steps to apply for this job. Please be sure to update your Candidate Profile with your current resume and include copies of your certifications, if applicable.