[Question] How to force top-edge alignment of nodes within a layer when nodes have different heights?

[pkotchavS2024]

I have a layered graph with direction: DOWN. In a given layer, nodes may have different heights. When one of the smaller nodes has an edge to a child in the layer below, that node gets "pulled down" and no longer aligns by its top edge with the other nodes in the same layer. Instead, it appears to be placed about the center of the tallest node's height in the layer.
See this example graph

If I remove the edge(s) to the child node, all nodes in the layer align correctly by their top edges.
Updated example graph with last layer of links removed

I've tried experimenting with some options below which didn't quite workout like:
elk.alignment: TOP
nodePlacement.favorStraightEdges: false
nodePlacement.strategy: SIMPLE, LINEAR_SEGMENTS, NETWORK_SIMPLEX

Expected behavior:
All nodes in the same layer should have the same Y position (top-edge aligned), regardless of whether they have edges to child nodes in the layer below like this screenshot below.

Is there a configuration option or combination of options that can strictly enforce top-edge alignment within a layer?

Thanks for any help/advice

[soerendomroes]

Hi, elk.alignment is a property to be used for nodes and not parent.

This should fix your issue.