Section Manager, Software Design Engineering

The Opportunity

Position: Section Manager, Software Design Engineering

Location: 393 University Ave, Toronto, ON

Department: Design & Engineering Services (DES)

Reports to: Director, Electrical, Control, Computer Engineering and Human Factors (EIC)

Salary Range: $130,000 - $165,000

Exact compensation may vary depending on the individual experience and qualifications of each candidate. Applicants with greater or less than the minimum qualifications for this posted opportunity may be considered for alternate opportunities.

What We Offer

At Kinectrics, employees are recognized for their knowledge, experience, and contributions while working in a highly technical and challenging environment. Kinectrics puts you in the driver's seat of your own career, setting you up alongside industry experts who will help you develop the skills essential to your professional growth in a dynamic, entrepreneurial, and rewarding work culture.

• Purpose: The work we do each day helps communities around the world. Find satisfaction in work that really matters, working alongside and as part of the best and brightest in the industry.
• Growth: To keep pace with Canada's expanding energy and utility sector, we are growing more each day, which means more opportunities for you. We encourage our employees to grow alongside our company thanks to a number of significant training and personal development opportunities.
• Innovation: Our staff proudly develop innovations that push the industry forward.
• Diversity: The company is dedicated to promoting diversity in its workforce, up to and including the senior management level. Our diversity committee ensures we stay up to date on leading trends and best practices, creating a desirable workspace for each and every one of our employees.
• Total Compensation: Your talent deserves to be recognized. Kinectrics offers a competitive total compensation package unmatched by most industries throughout North America. Salary is just one component of the total rewards you will receive when working for Kinectrics. Other elements may also include pay for performance programs (merit pay and discretionary annual performance bonuses), comprehensive health benefits and wellness programs, membership discounts, employee referral bonus, eligibility for our pension plan, career development programs, and professional development/educational reimbursements.

Accountabilities: How You Will Make an Impact

Kinectrics is seeking a Section Manager, Software Design Engineering to lead a team delivering advanced software and digital control system solutions for nuclear and critical infrastructure clients.

This role is accountable for people leadership, technical excellence, and project delivery, ensuring the successful execution of software and computer-based system projects across their full lifecycle. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping engineering strategy, strengthening client relationships, and advancing Kinectrics' digital engineering capabilities.

• Provide technical leadership and governance across:
  • Software development for safety and non-safety systems
  • Industrial control system architecture and integration (PLC, DCS, ICS)
  • Digital I&C platforms and plant computer systems
  • Human-machine interfaces (HMI)
  • Software categorization, qualification, and lifecycle management
  • Software verification and validation (V&V)
  • Vendor integration, factory acceptance testing (FAT), commissioning, and lifecycle support
• Ensure seamless integration with existing plant systems and large-scale I/O environments
• Oversee the full engineering lifecycle, from conceptual and preliminary design through detailed design and implementation
• Establish and maintain cybersecurity controls for nuclear digital assets and OT environments
• Plan and manage resources, budgets, and schedules for software engineering projects
• Lead proposal development and preparation of client bids
• Build and maintain strong client relationships, fostering a client-focused delivery culture
• Ensure all engineering changes comply with client Engineering Change Control (ECC) processes (e.g., OPG, Bruce Power)
• Drive cross-disciplinary integration and collaboration across engineering teams
• Provide project oversight to ensure delivery on scope, schedule, cost, and quality objectives
• Lead team performance management, coaching, and professional development
• Support resource planning, prioritization, and execution strategies across programs
• Champion quality assurance and continuous improvement through Human Performance (HU) tools and best practices
• Working knowledge of CSA N286 management system requirements, CSA N290.14 software engineering for safety-related systems, CNSC REGDOC2.1.1 management systems and software QA expectations, NQA-1, IEC 62645 cybersecurity standard, and client-specific nuclear station procedures
• Identify opportunities to expand and integrate Kinectrics service offerings
• Ensure adherence to quality processes and consistent application of best practices

Specific Accountabilities

Deliver comprehensive engineering services, including design, technical problem-solving, and root cause analysis of plant operating issues. Apply a strong understanding of asset investment considerations to advise clients on engineering risks, trade-offs, and business impacts of alternative solutions.

Provide software engineering expertise for nuclear and industrial facilities across the following areas:

• Design, installation, and commissioning of digital control systems, including software categorization and qualification
• Execution of specialized analyses such as Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
• Management of reverse engineering and third-party dedication for obsolete digital equipment
• Development and implementation of engineering changes in accordance with established Engineering Change Control (ECC) processes
• Software design and analysis for nuclear and industrial plant systems
• Condition and performance assessments of digital systems and cybersecurity assets
• Technical assessments, troubleshooting, and engineering support for refurbishment and operating (capital) projects
• Collaboration with utilities, vendors, and construction/procurement partners across all project phases - from concept through implementation and close-out
• Effective participation in multidisciplinary project teams to deliver integrated engineering solutions
• Continuous advancement of technical knowledge in software engineering and digital control systems

Direct Outputs

• Lead staffing and resourcing decisions, including work planning, scheduling, and assignment of team members
• Execute core people management responsibilities, including hiring, performance management, compensation decisions, and staff development
• Build and sustain strong client relationships while supporting business development and service growth
• Develop and enhance service offerings through technical capability development and client engagement
• Recruit, mentor, and retain specialized software engineering expertise within the team
• Translate client needs into actionable programs, projects, and technical proposals
• Deliver projects and service contracts in line with scope, schedule, effort, and quality commitments
• Ensure consistent application of quality processes and engineering best practices
• Identify opportunities to integrate and expand Kinectrics' service offerings across business lines

What You Need to Succeed

• Bachelor's degree (or higher) in Electrical, Computer, or related Engineering discipline
• 7-10+ years of experience in software design engineering in nuclear or other safety-critical, highly regulated industries
• 3+ years of leadership experience managing software and/or computer engineering teams
• Proven expertise in industrial control systems and plant networks (PLC, DCS, SCADA)
• Experience in preparing and reviewing design documentation across all stages of SDLC for CAT I-IV software in accordance with CSA N290.14
• Strong understanding of nuclear power plant design, operation, and modernization programs, including control system upgrades
• Thorough knowledge of Engineering Change Control (ECC) processes in nuclear environments
• Hands-on experience with software engineering lifecycle practices, including configuration management and verification & validation (V&V)
• Demonstrated experience delivering complex engineering projects and leading multidisciplinary teams
• Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation in Ontario
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills, with a strong commitment to quality
• Occasional travel to other Kinectrics' locations and client sites will be required.
• Experience working on-site at nuclear generating stations
• Experience performing condition and performance assessments of digital systems and cybersecurity/OT assets
• Experience supporting refurbishment or operating (capital) projects in nuclear facilities
• Strong leadership mindset with the ability to develop and motivate high-performing teams
• Strong business acumen, ability to collaborate with management to lead diverse team in fulfilling internal and external priorities
• Innovative, solutions-oriented, and comfortable operating in complex, regulated environments
• Collaborative and client-focused, with a proactive and results-driven approach

This role requires the successful candidate to complete the security clearance process. The security clearance process is conducted in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) and may take up to 12 months to complete.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.