Abbas Raza
Port Elgin,Ontario
Summary
Seasoned Distribution Engineer with deep understanding and application of distribution systems design and operation. Possess solid knowledge in executing power system studies, reliability analysis, and implementing infrastructure upgrades to optimize performance. Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams for project completion while strictly adhering to safety standards. Significant impact made in previous roles by steering projects towards timely completion, boosting operational efficiency, and reducing overall costs.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Distribution Engineer - EIT
ZE Power Engineering
Richmond, BC
05.2024 - 05.2025
- Specialized in non-standard overhead pole replacement designs, contributing to over 30 complex replacement projects, with a focus on safely modernizing aging infrastructure, and improving service reliability.
- Developed standard design solutions for 100+ non-standard framings and existing configurations, enabling field crews to execute replacements more efficiently and in compliance with BC Hydro ES43 standards, reducing design-related delays by an estimated 20%.
- Acted as the lead designer for major system improvement projects in Abbotsford and Vancouver Island, including the rerouting of overhead and underground infrastructure to clear restricted zones beneath airport facilities, enhancing public safety, and regulatory compliance.
Electrical Engineer - EIT
Stantec
Burnaby, BC
11.2023 - 05.2024
- Determined secondary conductor requirement for System Improvement project based on customer demand/current requirement for existing customer.
- Designed multiple non-standard designs (including D08 drawings) for customer vaults using step-down transformers (cluster mount/pad mounted) to continue providing service to private line customers.
- Performed QA/QC reviews on System Improvement (SI) cutover projects, from detailed cutover sequencing to final IFC submission, reducing rework and post-submission revisions by approximately 30%.
- Performed Independent Review for Overhead line relocation to satisfy CSA building clearance.
- Familiar with LPT and PMT replacements under Underground Residential Design (URD) program.
- Served as the primary designer for routing feeder cables through existing manhole infrastructure, from substations to terminal poles, to support the deployment of a new double-circuit line spanning 5 km, enhancing network redundancy and load distribution.
Junior Engineer - EIT
ZE Power Engineering
Richmond, BC
09.2021 - 08.2023
- Prepared layouts, conceptual designs, calculations, and illustrations for over 45 multi-million dollar distribution projects, ranging in voltage from 14.4 kV to 35 kV, including overhead and underground asset replacements and system upgrades.
- Worked in Systems Improvement (SI) during the latter half of the role, delivering projects from 35% design development to Issued for Construction (IFC) stage, contributing to an estimated 15% reduction in design cycle time by streamlining documentation and stakeholder coordination. Created distribution DAD drawings, including cutover and switching plots.
- Primary overhead designer for more than 15 major upgrades of primary conductors and switching of circuits in various locations, including Abbotsford, Prince George, and Vancouver Island improving system reliability and load balancing.
- Trained and mentored 10+ junior designers in overhead pole and transformer replacement design, improving team output by an estimated 25% through better onboarding and standards training (DAD plots, Passport Estimates, SPIDAcalc).
- Reviewed and QA’d over 100 design documents, including DAD plots, Pole Permits, Zone Awareness, Design Estimate Reports (DER), and Safety by Design (SBD) packages, before final submission to BC Hydro EDQA, resulting in a 40% decrease in required revisions.
- Utilized ES43 and ES55 standards to implement the safety and execution of site crew work including conductor and pole replacements.
- Contributed to End-of-Life (B3 and Q3) distribution projects, including over 700 poles and 500 transformers replaced, and 50 km+ of primary reconductoring.
- Responsible for individual projects such as Switch, Recloser, H-Frame and underground cable replacements.
- Coordinated with line crews and third-party telecoms (TELUS, SHAW) on multi-stakeholder projects, enabling a smoother transition from design to field implementation. Helped reduce field delays by 20% through emergent plot change management, and on-site problem solving.
- Conducted 100+ site visits across British Columbia, from Vancouver Island to Cranbrook, collecting essential field data using IKEgps, including staking, span lengths, and attachment heights, reducing design rework by 30% due to accurate site info.
Junior Technologist/Design Assistant (DA)
ZE Power Engineering
Richmond, BC
05.2020 - 09.2021
- Assisted distribution designers in creating Job Planning Folder (JPF) that includes DDEC, QA Check and Zone Awareness (ZA).
- Generated BC1 calls for locating underground utilities.
- Responsible for preparing closeouts for construction packages.
- Responsible for transmitting individual Pole Permits to respective districts for pole replacement approvals.
COPE Co-op Student Distribution and Integrated Planning
BC Hydro
Burnaby
01.2020 - 05.2020
- Created an architect using Microsoft Access to help manage the DCFC planning and past data. Incorporated the database based on Station, Chargers, Transformers and issue and usage logs as well as O&M costs associated with the chargers.
- Helped in determining and verifying the potential DCFC and L2 charger locations located inside BC and locating the nearest substations or distribution lines near the infrastructure.
- Helped in implementing the design needed to replicate the real-life complex ION meters to troubleshoot the communication problems and assisted in troubleshooting the communications problems with the help of Schneider Electronics to troubleshoot meters using MeterCat and IONSetup.
Education
BSc. - Electronics Engineering
Simon Fraser University
Burnaby, BC09.2021
Skills
- Windows
- BCH GIS
- Billing software
- Distribution analysis and design (DAD)
- Passport
- 3D OH linear analysis software
- SPIDAcalc
- IKEgps
- Project management
- Quality assurance
- Energy efficiency optimization
- Grounding system design
- Transformer sizing
- Transformer design
- Grounding design
- Organizational skills
- Effective communication
- System improvement
- Overhead line design
- Overhead design
- Microsoft Office
- MS Word
- MS Excel
- MS Access
- MS PowerPoint
- REVU Bluebeam
- C
- C
- Python
- MATLAB
Certification
Engineer-in-Training (EIT), 01/01/22, Present, 4 years counted towards Professional Engineer (P.Eng) (Application submitted - Waiting for Approval)
Personal Information
Title: Electronics Engineer
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Distribution Engineer - EIT
ZE Power Engineering
05.2024 - 05.2025
Electrical Engineer - EIT
Stantec
11.2023 - 05.2024
Junior Engineer - EIT
ZE Power Engineering
09.2021 - 08.2023
Junior Technologist/Design Assistant (DA)
ZE Power Engineering
05.2020 - 09.2021
COPE Co-op Student Distribution and Integrated Planning
BC Hydro
01.2020 - 05.2020
BSc. - Electronics Engineering
Simon Fraser University
Similar Profiles
Vishwa RavalVishwa Raval
Field Technician at ZE Power Engineering Inc.Field Technician at ZE Power Engineering Inc.
Sukhpreet PannuSukhpreet Pannu
Team Lead, Distribution Design - Third Party Make Ready Projects at ZE Power Engineering Inc.Team Lead, Distribution Design - Third Party Make Ready Projects at ZE Power Engineering Inc.
MAHARSHI DALWADIMAHARSHI DALWADI
Team Lead, Design Assistant at ZE Power EngineeringTeam Lead, Design Assistant at ZE Power Engineering
Jay SouthgateJay Southgate
Lead Hand, General Labourer at Magest Building Systems LimitedLead Hand, General Labourer at Magest Building Systems Limited
Eden CafikEden Cafik
Cashier at Vanderwerf's YIGCashier at Vanderwerf's YIG