Quality Assurance Analyst

The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) is responsible for the safe, reliable, and economic planning and operation of the Alberta Interconnected Electric System. We provide open and non-discriminatory access to Alberta's interconnected power grid and also facilitate Alberta's competitive wholesale electricity market. The AESO strives to foster an inclusive, diverse and equitable workplace where people feel respected and welcomed for who they are, together we deliver high performance and innovative results.

Job Description

If you are a current AESO employee or contractor, please view openings and apply through our internal site at Workday.

Reporting to the Manager, Operations Business Applications & Planning, you will support quality assurance activities within the AESO's Grid Reliability division and collaborate on building a QA Centre of Excellence. You will work closely with project managers, business analysts, and subject matter experts to guide project teams in the preparation and execution of software quality assurance activities with the goal of validating mission-critical software for production deployment in support of the AIES.

This full-time opportunity offers a competitive salary, and a variable pay program. We also have paid vacation and flex time, health and dental benefits, mental health support, a defined contribution pension plan, and learning and development opportunities as part of your overall compensation package.

You will enjoy working with us if:

• You flourish in a hybrid work environment, where the team is in the office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Mondays and Fridays are flexible for where you work best.

• You thrive in a fast-paced, challenging, and dynamic environment and are looking for an opportunity to embark on transformative industry change.

• You enjoy working in a team of bright professionals, and work and learn in a diverse atmosphere - our team and colleagues have varied backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

• You embrace change and pivot and adapt with ease.

• You have a curious mind and appreciate opportunities to broaden your skill set.

• Your superior time management and prioritization skills show your strong commitment to meeting deadlines and providing sound judgement calls.

• You have a strong business acumen, combined with the ability to work with internal and external collaborators and partners in a professional and constructive manner.

• You are comfortable within a very collaborative and open culture.

• You are passionate about delivering quality in the service of Albertans.

• You have a service-oriented mindset with a focus on meeting the needs of users.

Accountabilities include but are not limited to:

• Your focus will be less on executing test cases yourself, and more on guiding project managers and subject matter experts in designing and executing quality assurance best practices, including test plan development and test case construction.

• Collaborating with project management, engineering, and IT infrastructure teams in building best practices and implementing tool solutions in support of those practices.

• Building a QA center of excellence within Grid Reliability under the guidance of the Grid Reliability Quality Assurance Lead and in alignment with peers in the IT quality assurance organization.

• Coordinating the QA activities of multiple projects in parallel.

• Engaging cross-functionally with various fields of experts.

What you'll bring to us:

• Bachelor's degree in an applicable IT or engineering field. Equivalent experience will also be considered.

• Five to seven years' experience in software quality assurance. Power utility experience an asset.

• Solid QA fundamentals in the context of both the software development life cycle and in validating software products for use in a highly-available, mission critical environment.

• Experience with integrated requirements/test/traceability systems.

• Azure DevOps (ADO) experience is highly desirable. Experience with report design in ADO a bonus.

• Strong communication skills with the ability to tailor messages to diverse audiences including technical experts and business process leaders.

• Strong documentation skills supporting a clear and concise communication style.

• A systematic and detail-oriented mindset that doesn't lose sight of the big picture.

• Proven skill with the Microsoft 365 suite of tools.

• Experience with scripting/macros and developing test automation is an asset.

• Adaptability and resilience to respond to evolving priorities and timelines.

• Facilitating change management between subject-matter experts and software development teams.

• Experience in staged delivery methodologies leveraging pre-production environments.

Application deadline: January 23, 2025

#LI-Hybrid

If you are contacted for a pre-screening and/or interview, please advise of any accommodation measures required to enable you to fully participate. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

The Alberta Electric System Operator is unable to accept unsolicited agency resumes.

The Alberta Electric System Operator, and its members, officers, employees and agents (collectively, the "AESO") is committed to protecting personal information provided to it. When you submit your personal information to the AESO for the purpose of pursuing employment with the AESO, the collection, use and disclosure of personal information is in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP Act) of Alberta.

As noted, the AESO is mandated to maintain the safe and reliable operations of the provincial power grid. As part of meeting its obligations, the AESO may require the successful candidate to undergo a criminal background check for the position. This collection of personal information for the purposes of a check will be conducted in accordance with Section 33 of the FOIP Act.