Senior SCADA and OT Specialist

Job Description

TransAlta owns, operates, and develops a diverse fleet of electrical generation assets in Canada, the United States, and Australia, providing municipalities, industries, and businesses with safe, low-cost, and reliable clean electricity. For over 111 years, TransAlta has been a responsible operator and proud community member where its employees work and live. We are committed to fostering a dynamic, productive, and safe work environment. Our employees contribute to a diverse, open, and transparent culture with clear accountabilities, strong leadership, and challenging opportunities for personal career growth.

For more information about TransAlta, visit our website at, www.transalta.com.

About the Role

TransAlta’s Hydro Operations team is seeking an experienced Senior SCADA and OT Specialist to provide technical oversight, guidance, and expertise for SCADA and Operational Technology services between the Hydro operating sites and end users. This role involves working closely with field teams and multiple support teams to ensure reliable operation of these critical systems. Accountabilities will focus on providing system diagnostics, troubleshooting, risk assessment and mitigation to support safe, compliant and reliable operations. Responsibilities will include developing strategies for integrating sites into the centralized SCADA system, implementing cybersecurity measures, and maintaining SCADA and OT environments.

This is full-time salaried position, located at our head office in Downtown Calgary with the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule.

What You Will Do

• Diagnose and troubleshoot SCADA systems for remote control and monitoring of Hydro equipment
• Liaise with AESO for daily technical support on operational issues and EMS
• Respond to equipment issues and provide emergency support for outages and failures
• Specify, install, commission, and maintain SCADA system computers and HMI software
• Develop maintenance plans for SCADA system software and hardware
• Modify HMI/SCADA applications, including graphics, tag databases, and reports
• Update SCADA system standards, procedures, guidelines, and test documents.
• Identify and mitigate SCADA system risks
• Collaborate with IT/OT networking and security teams to ensure system reliability and security
• Conduct Root Cause Failure Analysis and recommend corrective actions
• Manage long-term planning for equipment maintenance and capital projects
• Support engineering processes like technical change management, alarm management, and reliability assessments
• Implement innovative solutions to improve SCADA system performance and reliability
• Apply policies, procedures, standards, and regulatory requirements relevant to power generation
• Proactively complete assignments, ranging from straightforward to complex
• Work independently, providing guidance to less experienced staff
• Exercise judgment based on multiple information sources
• Multi-task and prioritize to achieve long-term goals
• Provide technical leadership for Hydro SCADA systems and applications

What We Need From You

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science and/ or equivalent background is required
• 10+ years of industrial field operations technology experience
• SCADA and/or Operations Technology background, familiarity with Linux and Monarch OSI SCADA would be considered an asset
• Certifications from MS, Cisco, Security vendors, or similar experience in computer network architecture knowledge
• For applicants with engineering degrees, must be registered as a Professional Engineer in good standing with APEGA, or other provincial Professional Engineering Regulatory Association and qualifies for inter-provincial mobility
• Knowledge of data communications protocols
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience working in a power generation or industrial facility
• Specialized training, certifications, or experience in discipline related areas (i.e. Generation operation, generator protection, power plant performance, SCADA Vendor training and certs etc.), is considered an asset

Other Requirements

• This is a safety sensitive position which will require successful completion of pre-employment testing as a condition of employment
• Ability to travel 20-30% to facilities

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation
• Annual incentive program
• Pension plan with company-matching options
• Comprehensive and flexible benefits for you and your family
• Vacation and personal days
• Employee Rewards Programs
• Annual Wellness Payment

To learn more about how we can energize your future, check out our new Employee Experience Booklet.

Become part of our TransAlta team today! We look forward to reviewing your application. All applications will be reviewed in a timely manner to the best of our abilities. We appreciate your patience and understanding during the recruitment process.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for a job unless they meet every single qualification. At TransAlta, we are dedicated to building an inclusive, diverse workforce where you can show up every day as your true, authentic self. So, if you’re excited about this role but your qualifications and experience don’t quite tick every box, we encourage you to apply anyways. You might just be the candidate we are looking for.

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

It is our collective mission to ensure that every single employee feels a sense of inclusion and belonging and can show up to work as their true authentic self. TransAlta is committed to hiring a diverse workforce including women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and members of the LGBTQ2+ community. TransAlta believes that diversity enhances the quality of its performance.