Nuclear Energy Engineering Design Leader

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GHD is committed to driving bold, sustainable, and profitable growth in the energy sector by expanding and investing in our most strategically important clients. Nuclear power is central to Ontario’s decarbonization, electrification, and reliability agenda. As the province advances major refurbishments, new builds, and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), GHD aims to become a trusted advisor, integrator, and delivery partner across the nuclear lifecycle.

Who are we looking for?

As Nuclear Energy Engineering Design Leader, you will provide technical leadership for GHD’s nuclear practice and help define how we deliver safe, high-quality, and fit-for-purpose solutions across the nuclear lifecycle. You will bring strong engineering judgment, regulatory understanding, and nuclear delivery experience to guide technical strategy, strengthen quality and consistency, and build a high-performing team of nuclear professionals. In this role, you will elevate technical excellence across the practice and reinforce GHD’s reputation as a trusted delivery partner in the nuclear sector.

Passionate about advancing nuclear engineering capability in Ontario, with a future view across Canada, you will work across markets and disciplines to strengthen technical delivery, develop internal capability, mentor emerging professionals, and embed consistent nuclear-grade standards across the practice. You will be empowered to influence technical direction, lead capability growth, and accelerate excellence in project delivery.

Working with an energetic and high-performing team, you will be involved in:

Nuclear Market & Account Leadership

Develop, mentor and lead a multidisciplinary internal team focused on delivering technically robust solutions to Ontario’s nuclear sector—including OPG, Bruce Power, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), and key supply-chain partners. Provide clear technical direction, engineering oversight, quality expectations, and practical guidance to strengthen delivery performance across pursuits and projects. Support client delivery and business development demonstrating GHD engineering delivery competence. You will also collaborate with GHD’s UK business and its client space in the nuclear energy market to share technical capability, delivery experience, and nuclear best practices.

Strategic Growth Planning

Lead the development and implementation of a 3 to 5-year Nuclear Design Technical Capability Plan for Ontario. Define priority technical disciplines, delivery systems, quality requirements, and capability investments needed to build a strong and scalable nuclear practice. Establish clear technical priorities and performance expectations that strengthen GHD’s ability to deliver complex nuclear work with consistency and confidence.

Project Delivery Leadership

Develop and implement an integrated nuclear delivery framework encompassing workforce planning, technical standards, design assurance, quality program development, and delivery governance. Work with Project Directors as well as Energy and delivery teams to ensure alignment with client requirements, regulatory obligations, and nuclear-grade quality expectations. Support critical pursuits, strategic bids, and early-phase studies where strong nuclear engineering judgment, technical leadership, and disciplined delivery improve project outcomes.

Nuclear Quality Programs & Compliance

Guide GHD’s approach to nuclear quality systems—including CSA N286 and CSA N299—by identifying where certification is required, where partnership models can be leveraged, and how quality frameworks can be scaled over time. Support development of the program and work with GHD’s Quality Team to implement with the expectation of being audited and achieving compliance.

Industry Knowledge & Capability Building

Maintain a deep understanding of nuclear system engineering, plant operations, refurbishment challenges, SMR technologies, regulatory processes, decommissioning approaches, waste strategies, environmental assessments, Indigenous considerations, and supply-chain constraints. Translate this knowledge into practical technical guidance, stronger delivery standards, and targeted capability development across GHD. Identify internal capability gaps, support recruitment of senior nuclear professionals, mentor emerging talent, and help build a resilient, technically strong, future-ready nuclear team.

Partnership & Supply-Chain Engagement

Coordinate and guide structured partnership approaches with professional services firms and contractors in the space, as well as with owner/operators. Work with Nuclear Lead and Nuclear Waste Management and Decommissioning Lead and teams to determine appropriate partnerships. Identify areas where GHD’s environmental, engineering, digital, advisory, and Indigenous engagement strengths complement partner capabilities.

Collaboration & Multidisciplinary Integration

Work closely with Market Leaders, Business Group Leaders, and Relationship Managers to position GHD for major assignments requiring cross-disciplinary integration—such as environmental, civil, infrastructure, digital, advisory, and project management services. Support knowledge sharing, pipeline alignment, and strategic investment allocation.

Brand Building & Industry Networking

Represent GHD at key nuclear industry events, associations, and conferences—including the Canadian Nuclear Association, CANDU Owners Group, Women in Nuclear, SMR supplier days, Bruce Power and OPG vendor forums, and major policy roundtables. Build visibility, thought leadership, and credibility for GHD’s growing nuclear practice.

What you bring to the role:

• Professional Engineer (, Certified Project Manager, or equivalent nuclear industry credential
• 10–20+ years of experience in the nuclear sector, including positions with utilities, EPC firms, testing labs, technology vendors, engineering firms, or regulatory/regulatory-adjacent organizations
• Deep experience engaging with Ontario’s nuclear owners/operators (OPG, Bruce Power, CNL), including understanding of organizational structure, investment programs, contracting models, governance culture, and decision-making pathways
• Strong working knowledge of building nuclear engineering capability and delivering in accordance with nuclear quality programs, including CSA N286/N299, utility procurement processes, safety culture, and readiness requirements
• Experience planning, managing, or delivering work in areas such as SMR development, CANDU refurbishment, decommissioning, balance-of-plant design, field engineering, or nuclear environmental assessment
• Proven track record of establishing partnerships across engineering firms, constructors, manufacturers, and technology developers
• Experience developing long-term technical capability plans, delivery frameworks, or discipline growth strategies within the nuclear sector
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, influence senior stakeholders, and navigate complex organizational environments
• Familiarity with federal/provincial nuclear policy, CNSC regulatory processes, and energy system planning in Ontario
• Ability to interpret market, regulatory, and client requirements and translate them into technical priorities, capability investments, and actionable delivery strategy
• Skilled interpersonal communicator with strong emotional intelligence, able to address complex issues with tact, diplomacy, and a solutions-oriented mindset
• Ability and willingness to travel across Ontario (Darlington, Pickering, Bruce, Chalk River, Toronto)

Our Hybrid Work Model: Be part of the dynamic culture! Our workplace thrives on a hybrid model, combining in-office collaboration and flexibility. Join us in the office three days a week to contribute, connect and excel in our vibrant environment.

Take on some of the world’s toughest challenges - with everyone at GHD backing you every step of the way. We'll give you control over your career, empower you to find innovative solutions and help you create a lasting impact. See where your commitment could take you with GHD.

We are committed to offering competitive compensation and adhere to all relevant pay transparency legislation.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in recruiting is just getting started and may be used during the process to improve efficiency and fairness. Your application may be reviewed by both AI and our hiring team. While AI supports some steps through the process, all final hiring decisions are made by humans

As a diverse and inclusive organization, we encourage individual achievement and recognize the strength of a diverse workforce. GHD is an equal opportunity employer. Upon request, GHD will provide reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment and selection process.

This position is for an existing vacancy.