Meet Qusai Saleh, P.Eng
At CIMA+, we are powered by brilliant minds that work towards leaving a positive impact on the world. Qusai has been an Electrical Engineer for more than 13 years and his passion has provided him with opportunities to work across North America. At CIMA+, Qusai is a rising star with our Energy and Resources team. Located in Calgary, Alberta, we had a chance to get to know him better.
What inspired you to become an engineer?
I was inspired to become an engineer by my desire to understand how things work, and to leverage this passion into improving my community.
What is your field of expertise and why did you choose it?
I am an Electrical Engineer, specializing in power system protection and controls. As the demand for renewable energy continues to increase, our electrical grid will need to play a vital role in our future. I chose this field because it allows me to have a positive impact on our society.
What project are you most proud of and how did this project help the community?
Early on in my career, I was involved in the Western Alberta Transmission Line project. To this date, it is the largest transmission line project in the province’s history. The technology used – High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) – is a bit unique for this type of project in Canada. Aside from this type of design being more efficient and less costly than what is normally seen, HVDC systems allow multiple small generation units (solar or wind) to supply power to the grid.
This project has been instrumental in attracting various independent power producers to Alberta, allowing them to connect wind and solar facilities to the electrical grid.
What does sustainable engineering mean to you?
To me, sustainable engineering means applying the principles of engineering in a manner that fosters positive social and economic development while minimizing environmental impact.
As a leader of the future in Engineering, what has been your greatest reward?
As an Engineer, you can have a huge impact on the world. I find it very rewarding that the projects I have worked on to date have left positive impacts on communities – both large and small.
On a personal level, my career has taken me to some very interesting locations, across North America. From remote towns in Northern BC, to working on one of the world’s oldest electrical grids located in Washington, D.C. I have been fortunate to visit some cool places that I would never have seen, had it not been for my career in engineering.
What is your advice for anyone who wants to pursue a career in STEM?
Having the technical ability in Math and Science will get you an Engineering or Science degree, but empathy is your most valuable asset. By finding common ground, understanding where people are coming from, and being able to build those relationships are what will set you apart from your peers.