Specialist Engineer (Grid Telecom Operations)

Hours of work:
Full-time (37.5 hrs/week)
No. of positions:
1
Grid Telecom Operations is BC Hydro's 24/7 central operations and support team responsible for the BC Hydro-owned microwave radio and fibre optic telecommunications network that underpins the reliability and operation of the province's Bulk Electric System. With more than 200 sites across British Columbia, the integrated telecommunications network connects control centres, generating stations, and substations throughout the province.
Our department consists of several operational and project delivery teams. We are responsible for operating and monitoring the grid telecom system and coordinating restoration of any faults. We also test new telecom equipment and solutions in our lab prior to deploying to production sites. We provide centralized grid telecom support to field Technologist and other teams within BC Hydro.
This position, reporting to the Grid Telecom Operations Manager, is primarily focused on the operations, reliability, and ongoing evolution of and how we operate BC Hydro's grid telecommunications network.
What you'll doThe Grid Telecom Operations Specialist Engineer is responsible for the following:
Operational Support and Reliability
Provide advanced technical leadership in the operations of BC Hydro's complex IP-based telecommunications network.
Deliver real-time, system-level support during network outages, severe weather events, wildfires, and other operational disruptions.
Analyze network issues that may not be attributable to a single asset failure or path degradation and coordinate investigations across multiple stakeholders.
Mentor team with laboratory testing, collaborate with engineering teams and vendors, assess operational risks, and develop restoration strategies to return systems to stable operation.
Technical Leadership and Project Delivery
Provide technical leadership and operational expertise to central telecommunications teams delivering capital projects, ensuring new systems are reliable, maintainable, and operationally supportable.
Review and provide operational input to the Telecom Engineering team on the operability of telecommunications standards, network architectures, and features.
Provide mentorship and technical guidance to operations teams.
Support system evaluation, testing, commissioning, provisioning, and integration activities. Liaise with Telecom Engineering
Contribute to asset cutover and transition plans to ensure the successful implementation of new production systems and services.
Engineering Expertise and Collaboration
Operations Advocate - Provide expert telecommunications engineering operations input and awareness throughout BC Hydro and liaise with internal and external engineers, technical specialists, and industry stakeholders.
Investigate complex operational issues and support the implementation of new or specialized engineering methods and technologies.
Build and maintain effective working relationships with Telecom Engineering, Field Operations, Asset Planning, Stations Asset Management, Project Delivery, Program Delivery, Safety, and other business groups.
Strategic Planning and Continuous Improvement
Identify and communicate short- and long-term operational priorities and requirements to Management, Integrated Planning and Project Delivery teams. Contribute operational expertise to management decision-making processes and strategic initiatives.
Influence capital investment decisions to improve telecommunications system reliability, maintainability, and operational effectiveness.
Research significant operational challenges and develop innovative solutions, procedures, and operational practices to address complex technical issues.
Lead and facilitate cross-functional workshops, technical reviews, risk assessments, and working groups focused on operational excellence and system reliability.
Support the development of operational performance metrics and continuous improvement programs.
Leadership and Communication
Provide telecommunications subject matter expertise, mentorship, and technical leadership across Grid Telecom Operations.
Prepare recommendations, business cases, technical reports, risk assessments, presentations, and briefing materials for management.
Foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, coaching, and organizational awareness within Grid Telecom Operations and across BC Hydro.
Industry Engagement
Actively participate in technical societies, industry forums, and professional organizations related to telecommunications and electric utility operations.
Represent BC Hydro on internal and external industry working groups and committees, including organizations such as NERC, WECC, CPCTWG, IEEE, and other relevant industry bodies.
What you bring
Graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering recognized by Canadian universities.
Registered, or eligible for immediate registration, as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng) with Engineers and Geoscientists of B.C (EGBC).
Minimum of (10+) ten years of proven experience working as an electrical engineer in an electric utility, working in telecom infrastructure and systems, including microwave radio, MPLS, optical transport equipment, multiplexors, and routing for an electrical utility.
Applicants who do not meet the full qualifications or those with lesser work experience may be considered for a lower-level position.
Demonstrated experience with operations and testing and commissioning of Telecom infrastructure and systems to support power delivery applications on the Transmission and Distribution power delivery systems.
Demonstrated ability to coordinate multiple programs/projects and to plan and manage project resources is essential. PMP Certification is an asset.
Ability to analyze and resolve complex technical and organizational challenges while balancing competing priorities and perspectives.
Strong interpersonal, organizational, communications, and negotiation skills are essential
Self-motivated with a strong desire to learn.
Productivity Software – Microsoft Office.
What we offerWe're always looking for exceptional people to bring new ideas, fresh thinking and the motivation to help shape the electricity system in B.C. It's an exciting time to be a part of our team as we invest in our system and prepare to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
Our values guide our work. Want to join us?
We are safe.
We are here for our customers.
We are one team. We act with integrity.
We respect our province.
We are forward thinking.
BC Hydro is an equal opportunity employer.
Please note there may be a presentation, assessment, and/or testing may be required as part of the selection process.
Note that the following must be maintained in good standing as a condition of continuous employment: EGBC: Engineers & GeoScientists BC = In Good Standing
Driver's License Type = Class 5
P.Eng.: Professional Engineer = In Good Standing
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.
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