Engineering Lead, Civil and Structural

Summary
MatchBox Consulting Group is seeking an Engineering Lead, Civil and Structural on behalf of our client, a growing power systems contractor specializing in electrical utility infrastructure.
This is a newly created leadership role that will establish and build the company's Civil and Structural Engineering function in-house. The Engineering Lead will initially be the senior civil/structural technical resource, with the opportunity to help develop the department and eventually hire and mentor additional engineering and design staff.
The role is primarily focused on high-voltage substation civil and structural engineering, including steel and concrete structures, equipment foundations, duct banks, site development, drainage, and related infrastructure. The successful candidate will work closely with Engineering, Project Management, and Operations while also acting as a technical point of contact with utility clients.
The ideal candidate will be a P.Eng. with 10+ years of civil/structural engineering experience and a strong background in substation design. Previous team lead experience is preferred but not mandatory; candidates who have demonstrated strong mentorship experience and are ready to step into a leadership position will also be considered.

• Location: Calgary, AB – Quarry Park
• Job Type: Permanent, Full-Time
• Work Model: In-office Monday–Thursday; work from home Friday
• Schedule: Monday–Friday, approximately 7:30 AM–4:00 PM, with flexibility of approximately 30 minutes
• Travel: Approximately 10%

Responsibilities

• Lead the execution and delivery of civil and structural engineering designs for high-voltage substations.

• Establish and help build the company's internal Civil and Structural Engineering function, including processes, standards, resources, and future staffing requirements.
• Lead structural analysis and design for steel and concrete structures, equipment supports, foundations, piling, anchoring systems, grillages, and control buildings.
• Lead civil design for site development, duct banks, cable trenches, manholes, vaults, access roads, drainage, culverts, ditches, retaining walls, and erosion and sediment control.
• Coordinate civil and structural design activities within multidisciplinary substation project teams.
• Review engineering calculations, drawings, technical reports, specifications, scopes of work, construction packages, and shop drawings.
• Ensure designs meet applicable utility requirements, codes, standards, constructability, quality, and project requirements.
• Prepare civil and structural estimates and resource requirements for RFPs, project bids, and design changes.
• Act as a technical point of contact with clients, utilities, consultants, and other external stakeholders.
• Work closely with Project Management and Operations to resolve design and field issues and prevent construction delays.
• Support projects through design and construction, including responding to field-level technical questions and completing site reviews when required.
• Monitor project scope, budgets, costs, schedules, and change requirements related to civil and structural engineering.
• Provide technical input during project handoffs, kick-offs, design reviews, and construction meetings.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with utility clients and design partners.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to engineers, EITs, designers, and other engineering professionals as the team grows.
• Support the future recruitment and development of the Civil and Structural Engineering team.
• Establish and improve engineering processes and procedures as the internal civil/structural function develops.
• Identify required software, technical resources, standards, and external resources needed to support project delivery.
• Collaborate closely with Electrical Engineering, Protection & Control, Project Management, Operations, Procurement, and construction teams.
• Support the continued growth of civil and structural engineering capabilities across Western and Eastern Canada.

Qualifications - Must-Haves

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Registered Professional Engineer (P.Eng.).
• 10+ years of progressive civil and structural engineering experience.
• Strong experience with civil and structural design for high-voltage substations.
• Several years of direct substation experience, including a strong understanding of utility design requirements and constructability.
• Strong structural design experience with steel structures, concrete structures, shallow and deep foundations, and equipment foundations.
• Civil design experience including site development, duct banks, earthworks, drainage, and retaining structures.
• Ability to review and provide technical direction on civil and structural calculations, drawings, specifications, and construction packages.
• Experience supporting projects through design and construction, including resolving field and constructability issues.
• Experience preparing or contributing to technical estimates for RFPs and project bids.
• Strong client-facing communication skills and the ability to work directly with utilities, consultants, and project stakeholders.
• Experience mentoring engineers, EITs, designers, or other technical professionals.
• Ability and interest in building a new engineering function, including developing processes and improving how work is delivered.
• Comfortable working closely with Operations and Project Management, rather than operating solely within the engineering function.
• Strong understanding of applicable civil and structural engineering codes, standards, and specifications.
• Ability to manage multiple designs, estimates, and project priorities simultaneously.
• Valid Class 5 driver's licence.
• Ability to complete occasional field work and travel approximately 10%.

Nice-to-Haves

• Direct experience designing substations for Alberta electric utilities.

• Approximately 3+ years of utility design experience in Western Canada.
• Previous team lead, engineering lead, project management, or people leadership experience.
• Experience working within an EPC, utility, or owner-side environment.
• Experience with utility clients and projects in Alberta, Saskatchewan, or Ontario.
• Construction management or site supervision experience.
• Experience with SAFI, S-Frame, STAAD, MFAD, LPile, Civil 3D, or similar civil/structural engineering software.
• Experience with project financial controls, including budgets, change management, and change orders.
• Experience developing engineering standards, procedures, workflows, or new technical capabilities within a growing organization.
• Experience supporting business development and identifying opportunities to expand engineering services.
• Previous oil and gas experience combined with a strong electric utility and substation background.

For more current job opportunities, Follow MatchBox at linkedin.com/company/matchbox-recruitment/

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About MatchBox

Headquartered in downtown Vancouver and serving clients nationally, MatchBox is one of the leading recruitment and solutions firms that specializes in the fields of IT & Technology, Engineering & Technical, Real Estate & Construction, and Accounting & Finance. We offer unrivaled expertise with our team's extensive experience in the recruitment and professional services industry. We are dedicated to building great connections and creating strong opportunities within the workforce and the labor market.

Equal Opportunities

MatchBox is committed to providing equal opportunities for all applicants. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, including members of minority groups such as racialized individuals, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and Indigenous peoples. It is a priority for us that all candidates are treated fairly and without discrimination. Our recruitment teams receive ongoing training on using objective criteria for evaluating candidates and other related topics to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.

Work Permits

Please note that we require all interested candidates to obtain the necessary work permits from the Government of Canada prior to submitting an application. This position is open exclusively to individuals residing in Canada and legally authorized to work in Canada. Applications not meeting these criteria will not be considered.

Further Consideration

We receive a high volume of applications and are only able to contact candidates who are selected for further consideration.

Find out more at www.matchboxhr.com