Hello! I'm Samantha
I am a power systems engineer with over seven years of diverse experience performing power system studies, managing complex engineering projects, programming automation tools, developing new projects for execution and completing technical engineering design in the utility industry. I have a proven track record of exceeding expectations through initiative, strong communication skills, effective problem-solving and analytical abilities. I also have significant experience managing multiple projects concurrently, successfully selling capital upgrades to the external and internal stakeholders.
Samantha Hoffman, P.Eng.
POWER SYSTEMS ENGINEER
Phone:
(587) 575-8754
Email:
Location:
Calgary, Alberta
Canada
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SELECTION OF EXPERIENCE
2017-Present
Plant Engineer, Wind
TRANSALTA
I provide specialized and disciplined first point of contact plant engineering services and technical oversight to TransAlta’s wind and solar operations.
In my free time, I manage a website which discusses government & legislation changes, economic trends, technological advancements and other factors that have a potential impact on the industry.
2016-2017
Sabbatical
SABBATICAL
After personal circumstances caused me to reevaluate how short life is, I spent one-year learning, travelling and volunteering. Taking an extended leave from the workforce required extensive foresight, planning and organization. I developed my soft skills and developed an intermediate proficiency in the Spanish language.
ENMAX POWER
I worked on a wide variety of projects including: developing substation equipment models, running power system studies, writing detailed reports, managing contractors and consultants, leading new technical initiatives, writing business cases, selling capital upgrades to the external and internal stakeholders and mentoring EITs and interns.
2013 -2016
Senior Engineer, Transmission Planning
2011-2013
Design Engineer in Training, Light Rail and Power
ENMAX POWER SERVICES
I acted as project manager and electrical design engineer on multiple substation projects including transformer, rectifier, high voltage breaker, medium voltage switchgear, relay and SCADA upgrades for transmission and LRT substations.
Summer 2010
Internship
MAC Engineering
I collaborated with industry experts to upgrade a SCADA system from DeltaV to Cygnet, updating the existing database and designing new GUIs and scripts using Cygnet's built-in Visual Basic editor. The upgrade was completed ahead of schedule.
2008-2009
Internship
ABB
I developed a graphical editor tool for ABB’s substation simulator tool. Working with industry experts in substation automation and IEC 61850. The tool was programmed using C# in Visual Studio.
Summer 2007
Internship
McGill Power Electronics Research Lab
I assessed the viability of a trans-Canadian grid and the advantages that such a system would bring to improving the reliability of wind power in Canada. The results were presented to the National Wind Energy Conference.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
EDUCATION
North-West Calgary Transmission Upgrade
SAVE UP TO
I led the development of a new project to eliminate future overload violations and replace aging equipment in north-west Calgary.
This required performing a staging study in PSS/E and working with field crews to develop a construction plan, creating estimates for the AESO and overseeing the completion of reports on operational tie-away capabilities and the condition of high voltage equipment and the right of way.
2013-2016
Certificate in Professional Management
UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY
Examined key principles of business and their interrelationships in local, national and global world settings and learned key management skills that foster communication, teamwork and problem solving in the workplace.
Graduated at the top of my class.
2005-2010
Bachelor's Degree in Honours Electrical Engineering
McGILL UNIVERSITY
I graduated with distinction and completed an Honours Thesis in Power Systems where I developed a power system state estimator that could be used to carry out contingency analysis and economic dispatch in Matlab.
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Graduated with Distinction.
SKILLS
PSS/E
Power System Studies
Project Planning
Business Case Writing
Short Circuit
Leadership
Regulatory Compliance
Project Engineering
Substation Design
Traction Power
AESO Connection Process
Public Speaking
RECOMMENDATIONS
MATT DIMOFF: MANAGER OF SYSTEM PLANNING AT ENMAX
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I had the pleasure of acting as Samantha's Manager at the time she filled the role of Senior Engineer Transmission Planning at ENMAX. Samantha is a capable utility engineer and understands the technical and operating aspects of utility systems. Samantha also demonstrates strong leaderships skills, in particular her ability to ask tough questions and hold others accountable. Samantha is passionate about her work and would be a fine add to any organization!
BRENT THESEN: DIRECTOR OF ASSET MANAGEMENT AT ENMAX
Samantha is a diligent and enthusiastic electrical engineer. I was fortunate to work with her while managing ENMAX's Transmission Planning team. I found Samantha to be an engaged and creative employee. She sought to continually improve herself and her skills both inside and outside of the workplace. Samantha is very strong technically, having experience in both medium and high voltage transmission and distribution systems. I observed Samantha's ability to work collaboratively with both internal and external staff on many occasions. Her positive attitude can be infectious and she is a genuine "out of the box" thinker - making her a great addition to engineering teams.
MAXIME ROUSSY: FORMER ENGINEER IN TRAINING AT ENMAX
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I had the pleasure of working with Samantha as an EIT for a temporary new hire rotation and also full-time later on when I took a position with the Transmission Planning team. I couldn't have asked for a better mentor. Samantha was not only a great role model to aspire to, given her work ethic and performance, but she was always incredibly approachable and helpful. She truly wanted me to succeed and always treated me with the utmost respect. I can honestly say she made an everlasting impact on my career.