Electrical Engineer - Renewable Energy (m/w/d)

FirstLight is a leading clean power producer, developer, and energy storage company serving North America. With a diversified portfolio that includes over 1.65 GW of operating renewable energy and energy storage technologies and a development pipeline with 4+ GW of solar, battery, hydro, onshore wind and offshore wind projects, FirstLight specializes in hybrid solutions that pair hydroelectric, pumped-hydro storage (including Northfield Mountain, the largest energy storage facility in New England), utility-scale solar, large-scale battery, and wind assets. The company's mission is to accelerate the decarbonization of the electric grid by supporting the development, operation, and integration of renewable energy and storage to meet the world's growing clean energy needs and deliver an electric system that is clean, reliable, affordable, and equitable. Based in Burlington, MA, with operating offices in Northfield, MA, New Milford, CT, Oshawa, ON and Montréal, QC, FirstLight is a steward of more than 14,000 acres and hundreds of miles of shoreline along some of the most beautiful rivers and lakes in North America.

In Canada, FirstLight operates through its subsidiaries H2O Power and Hydroméga. We operate 18 hydroelectric generating stations in Ontario and Québec and we are one of the largest providers of hydroelectric power in these provinces. FirstLight is wholly owned by PSP Investments, one of Canada's largest pension investment managers and we have over 200 employees in Canada and the US.

We proudly serve our host communities and beyond through our clean energy assets, the recreation spaces we steward, the jobs we produce, and the economic benefit we deliver through our operations and charitable actions.

We are a team of caring, passionate professionals who are driven to deliver positive climate impact and to have fun while doing it! We value diversity, equity and inclusion and encourage people with diverse perspectives, skills and experiences to apply.

Position Detail

We currently have an opening for an experienced Electrical Engineer for this remote role based in Oshawa, ON.

Reporting to the Ontario Engineering Manager, the Electrical Engineer is responsible for providing engineering support for daily and long-term operations. Serves as a project manager/project lead support and carries out assignments associated with electrical engineering in support of FL's hydroelectric generating station equipment and facilities. This role offers remote work flexibility but will require significant travel to various sites as required.

Our ideal candidate possesses the experience, passion and energy to be a driving force in FirstLight's continued evolution to accelerate the decarbonization of the electric grid to meet the clean energy needs of tomorrow.

The compensation for this position typically falls between $120,000 and $135,000 CAN. The final compensation offered will depend on several factors that may include, but are not limited to, the type and years of relevant experience, industry-specific experience, relevant education/certifications and geographic location.

Our total compensation package also includes a competitive bonus plus comprehensive benefits such as health insurance, retirement savings with company match, life insurance, disability benefits, employee assistance program, paid time off, paid holidays, health and wellness reimbursement, tuition reimbursement, scholarship program, employee referral bonus, volunteer time off benefit, charitable gift match program and more.

Key Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To

• Capex plan maintenance and program delivery:

  • Develop detailed project scope and estimates for electrical engineering items
  • Develop project documentation for approvals and execution, including development of specifications and conceptual designs
  • Manage capital projects through their complete cycle
  • Support and provide delivery of engineered designs for limited scope projects
  • Provide site support and inspections during Capex projects execution
  • Review vendor drawings and other project documentations

• Support Dam Safety Programs:

  • Support the Dam Safety program for electrical components/items including conducting periodic inspections and updating inspection reports and remedial plans
  • Participate in periodic reviews by 3rd party independent engineers

• Maintenance Support:

  • Support maintenance personnel as needed with respect to issues noted during planned and unplanned outages
  • Develop Standard Operating Procedures relating to system operations and maintenance. Prepare remedial plans for correction of maintenance deficiencies

• Operations:

  • System Reliability
    • Conduct outage/event analysis (Incident Reports) and execute follow-up as required
    • Identify equipment performance issues, prepare and direct implementation of corrective measures
  • Monitor critical general maintenance programs for execution and performance. Provide assistance and guidance to field staff for:
    • Protective relaying maintenance
    • Transformer maintenance
    • MV and HV breaker maintenance
    • Battery system maintenance
    • Transformer oil test program
  • Equipment and tools:
    • Design, implement and maintain desktop operating tools as required
    • Develop and maintain monitoring tools in SCADA system, PLC support and provide delivery of engineered designs for limited scope projects
    • Develop screen layouts, data tagging, reports and alarming requirements
    • Lead field commissioning efforts including acceptance of new systems
    • Verify/validate completeness of as-built drawings and programming work performed by outsourced providers
    • Serve as resident expert on generating station operations as it relates to design and maintenance of safe and reliable automation and data collection systems

• Engineering Studies:

  • Complete and maintain system studies for facilities, including:
    • Short circuit studies
    • Coordination studies for all generators, transformers and lines
    • Arc flash studies
  • Maintain database for protective relay systems settings, AVR settings and turbine control parameters

• Complies with all Corporate policies and procedures;

• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Job Qualifications / Skills

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited institution;
• Experience in renewable energy, highly preferred;
• 7+ years of related engineering experience as well as power systems modelling;
• P.Eng designation required;
• Working knowledge of Power Analysis software;
• SCADA and PLC system experience required;
• Ability to handle multiple assignments on a timely basis with a high degree of accuracy;
• Excels in both a team environment as well as independently;
• Self-motivated with a willingness to progress/improve processes and functions;
• Understanding of urgency and caution when operating in a power systems environment;
• Strong analytical, problem solving and communication skills;
• Extremely high attention to detail, well organized and strong documentation skills;
• Ability to travel to field sites as needed;
• Valid driver's license.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to climb heights and work in confined spaces as well as lift, work indoors and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, on station structures, ladders, staging and equipment for extended periods of time;
• Ability to be physically mobile (stand, walk, reach, climb, bend) and also the ability to sit for prolonged periods throughout the day/work hours;
• Must be able to occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 lbs.

Why Work for FirstLight?

We consider our employees to be our most valuable resource and we strive to provide a challenging, collegial, and rewarding workplace. FirstLight embraces a company-wide commitment to recruit, develop, and retain a dedicated, diverse, and engaged workforce that is motivated to be ever better both professionally and personally.

Joining the FirstLight Team is an opportunity to experience a unique and exciting culture. We offer a competitive benefits package.

FirstLight is an Equal Opportunity Employer; promoting accessibility and inclusivity at work and offering accommodation for applicants as required and requested.

FirstLight's values are:

Respect - Integrity - Safety - Excellence - Innovation - Team