PurposeAs a
Principal Structural Engineer, you will provide senior technical leadership and subject matter expertise for structural engineering activities across large, complex, and high-value projects. You will be a recognized authority in structural engineering, responsible for the quality, safety, and technical excellence of structural design deliverables, while supporting project execution, mentoring engineers, and contributing to continuous improvement of standards, tools, and best practices.
The
Principal Structural Engineer role balances deep technical expertise with project leadership, technical governance, client interface, and strategic support to the broader Structural Engineering function across multidisciplinary projects in the energy, chemicals, mining, infrastructure, and industrial sectors.
Key ResponsibilitiesTechnical Leadership & Subject Matter Expertise- Serve as a senior technical authority and Principal-level subject matter expert in structural engineering.
- Lead and provide technical oversight for structural engineering activities on large, complex, and high-profile projects.
- Develop and approve structural engineering deliverables, including:
- Structural design calculations and analysis
- Foundations, concrete, steel, and modular structure designs
- Structural models and specifications
- Design criteria, philosophies, and technical reports
- Ensure designs are safe, constructible, and compliant with applicable codes, standards, client specifications, and regulatory requirements.
- Provide technical resolution for complex engineering challenges, deviations, and non-standard design conditions.
- Act as the structural discipline focal point for technical queries, reviews, and independent checks.
Project Delivery & Technical Governance- Act as Structural Engineering Discipline Lead on major projects or as a technical authority across portfolios of medium and small projects.
- Define structural engineering scope, execution strategies, and staffing plans in collaboration with Project Management and Discipline Leadership.
- Review and approve key technical decisions, design bases, and deliverables at major project milestones.
- Provide technical input to proposals, estimates, execution plans, and project risk assessments.
- Support change management, technical risk mitigation, and resolution of scope or design changes.
- Interface with clients, partners, fabricators, and construction teams on complex technical matters.
Quality, Safety & Standards- Champion engineering quality, safety in design, and technical excellence across all structural engineering activities.
- Ensure compliance with corporate engineering standards, industry codes (CSA, AISC, ACI, Eurocodes, etc.), and project-specific requirements.
- Contribute to the development, maintenance, and continuous improvement of structural engineering standards, guidelines, tools, and best practices.
- Support internal and external audits, design reviews, and lessons-learned initiatives.
Mentorship, Capability Building & Knowledge Sharing- Provide technical mentorship and guidance to Senior, Lead, and Intermediate Structural Engineers.
- Support the technical development of the structural discipline through coaching, formal training, and on-the-job learning.
- Act as a technical escalation point and reviewer for complex work performed by project teams.
- Contribute to communities of practice, technical forums, and continuous improvement initiatives across the organization.
Qualifications & Experience- Bachelor's degree in Civil or Structural Engineering (Master's degree considered an asset).
- Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation in Canada (or eligible for registration).
- Extensive structural engineering experience in industrial, energy, mining, infrastructure, or heavy industrial projects.
- Extensive experience delivering complex structural designs across the full project lifecycle (concept through detailed design and construction support).
- Demonstrated expertise in steel and concrete design, foundations, and structural analysis.
- Strong working knowledge of applicable design codes, standards, and industry best practices.
- Proven experience acting as a technical authority, discipline lead, or senior reviewer on major projects.
- Experience supporting proposals, estimates, and front-end engineering activities is considered an asset.
Core Competencies - Recognized technical leadership and subject matter expertise
- Strong engineering judgment and problem-solving capability
- Ability to lead technical decision-making in complex project environments
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
- Strong commitment to safety, quality, and engineering excellence
- Mentorship and technical leadership mindset
- Collaborative approach to multidisciplinary project delivery
