Mechanical Engineer, Wind & Solar Operations - Pincher Creek, AB

TransAlta is seeking a Mechanical Engineer for Wind & Solar Operations in Pincher Creek, AB. The role involves providing technical support for operations and maintenance, focusing on equipment risks and solutions. The engineer will work closely with operations staff and may travel to various wind facilities across Canada and the US. The position emphasizes safety and compliance with technical standards.
Who We Are

“Energizing the Future.”

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.

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, is an essential element of effective corporate governance, and cultivates a strong workplace culture.

About The Role

Reporting to the Manager of Wind Engineering, the Mechanical Engineer, Wind & Solar Operations provides technical support to Operations, Maintenance, and Capital Projects staff to achieve safe, reliable, and profitable operation of our assets. Duties are focused on identifying and mitigating technical risks in the equipment, and to give a long-term, equipment centered viewpoint for maintenance and capital decisions being considered by operations.

The Wind Operations Mechanical Engineer is responsible for understanding the equipment condition and risks, developing solutions for equipment issues and supporting the implementation of those solutions through maintenance or the capital process. This position can be based out of one of the following Wind sites: Melancthon, Ontario or Pincher Creek, Alberta, but will be supporting TransAlta's North American Wind Fleet. The selected candidate will be required travel to Wind facilities in Canada and the US.

This is a safety-sensitive position. The successful candidate will be required to complete pre-employment testing.

Responsibilities
• Provide day-to-day engineering support to operations and maintenance staff to ensure the facility can operate safely and in compliance with TransAlta and jurisdictional technical policies, procedures, rules and standards
• Offer technical support to safely return units to service from forced outages
• When requested, provide technical support to capital projects and major maintenance outages including scope development, quality assurance plans, inspections, and commissioning support
• Identify, document, update and communicate equipment risk and mitigations and recommend immediate corrective actions, inspections, testing or repairs that may be required
• Give input into Asset Management and Capital Planning exercises. This includes developing conceptual engineering work scopes and risk assessments that are well balanced to meet overall asset goals
• Complete timely Root Cause Failure Analysis, as well as recommending corrective actions
• Accountable for completing condition assessment and risk assessment work as required by business needs
• Identify and implement innovative solutions to improve current processes and improve equipment performance/reliability
• Bring industry best practices, innovations/new technology to be evaluated by the business
• Provide emergency support for forced outages and other operational issues that may arise

About You

Qualifications
• Mechanical Engineer with P. Eng. Designation from APEGA or with another Canadian province
• +4 years rotating equipment experience, with very strong preference given to candidates with gearbox experience
• Specialized training and certifications in discipline related areas (i.e. vibration analysis, rotating equipment, etc) are an asset
• Demonstrated capability to solve standard and often complex problems through the application of sound engineering judgment and new technologies, services or products
• Excellent communication skills
• Self-motivated and able to work with minimal supervision while consistently taking initiative
• Strives for continuous improvement to deliver outcomes in the most efficient and effective manner
• Valid Driver’s License and ability to travel to sites
• Valid Passport and ability to travel to US assets
• Ability to work at heights and in a plant environment
• Available to provide technical advice during non-core hours to address urgent operational issues

Desired Technical Knowledge
• Wind Turbine Blades, Foundation and Performance Engineering data experience is considered an asset but not a requirement for the role

Other Requirements
• Successful completion of pre-employment testing is a condition of employment

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.

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.