Lead Mechanical Engineer - Hydropower & Dams
Location: Oakville, ON, CA Burnaby, British Columbia, CA

Job Level: Senior Level

Home District/Group: Kiewit Infrastructure Engineers

Market: Power

Employment Type: Full Time

Position Overview
Kiewit is seeking a Lead Mechanical Engineer to play a key technical leadership role in the design and delivery of complex hydropower, dam, and hydraulic structure projects across North America.

As a senior member of Kiewit’s Hydropower, Dams, and Hydraulic Structures (HDH) team, you will contribute to the planning and constructable design of mechanical balance-of-plant systems for major infrastructure projects, including traditional and pumped-storage hydropower facilities.

You will collaborate closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams and construction partners while supporting mentorship and technical excellence.

Why Join Kiewit’s Hydropower & Dams Team?

Work on large, complex hydropower and dam projects across Canada and the U.S.

Be part of an integrated design–construction environment with real project impact

Collaborate with high-performing multidisciplinary teams

Opportunity to mentor engineers and shape technical direction

Contribute to the growth of a rapidly expanding HDH practice

District Overview
Our rapidly growing Power district, which includes structural, civil, piping, mechanical, process, process safety, electrical, instrument and control disciplines, is a multi-faceted division of Kiewit with best-in-class technical expertise focused on the EPC delivery model for power facilities. We offer a variety of engineering services, including owner's engineering, project development, detailed engineering and design, construction management and plant services. Our engineering teams bring power projects to life across North America in the following areas:

Gas-fired generation

Renewables and current technology

Water/wastewater

Carbon-Free - Nuclear

We are a high performing team of engineers and designers that develop projects through the project life-cycle engaging exciting projects throughout North America. Our staff leads the power markets engineering process and collaborates with Kiewit’s construction teams to approach construction-driven engineering with a focus on safe, cost-effective, and innovative designs that achieve client expectations and further Kiewit’s legacy of excellence.

At Kiewit, we deliver some of the most challenging and meaningful infrastructure projects in North America. Our integrated design–construction approach allows engineers to see their work built and collaborate directly with construction teams to deliver innovative, practical solutions.

Location

This position is based out of Oakville, ON or Burnaby, BC.

Remote or hybrid work arrangements may be considered

Occasional travel will be required.

Responsibilities
Technical & Project Leadership

Serve as a senior mechanical technical resource on hydropower and dam projects, commensurate with experience

Lead and support the design of:




Balance of plant (BOP) mechanical systems

HVAC Systems

Drainage Systems

Interfaces with generating unit mechanical auxiliary systems

Supporting systems for hydromechanical equipment (gates, valves, stoplogs, cranes/hoists)

Large-diameter piping systems (water, cooling, etc.)

Process diagrams and instrument selection

Perform and review:
Hydraulic calculations

Heat balancing equations

Pipe stress analysis

Equipment sizing and specification

Generating unit efficiency calculations

Ensure designs are practical, constructible, and aligned with project delivery requirements

Support procurement packages and commissioning planning

Collaborate closely with internal engineering teams, construction personnel, and external design partners.

Mentor and support the development of junior and intermediate engineers through technical guidance and knowledge sharing.

Foster a collaborative, inclusive team environment focused on quality, safety, and continuous improvement.

Interface with clients, regulators, subconsultants, and project stakeholders as a senior technical representative.

Project Delivery & Execution

Support all phases of project delivery including:
Project development and conceptual design

Detailed engineering and design management

Construction support and field engineering

Commissioning and project closeout

Coordinate multidisciplinary design efforts and ensure integration across disciplines

Contribute to RFIs, design changes, and field issue resolution

Business & Practice Development

Support business development efforts, including pursuits, technical proposals, and client engagement.

Contribute to the growth and evolution of the HDH practice through strategic initiatives, lessons learned, and continuous improvement.

Interest in improving design efficiency through new tools and workflows (including AI‑enabled solutions).

Quality & Safety

Lead by example in promoting a strong culture of safety, quality, and accountability.

Support implementation and continuous improvement of the design quality management system.

Qualifications
Required

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

10+ years of relevant engineering experience (15+ preferred)

Demonstrated experience on hydropower, pumped storage, or large infrastructure projects

Licensed Professional Engineer (P.Eng) in Canada

Strong experience with:
Mechanical system design for power or industrial facilities

Piping design and analysis (including pipe stress)

Hydromechanical systems and equipment

Familiarity with EPC, EPCM, or design-build project delivery models





Willingness to travel periodically to project offices and job sites

Preferred

Familiarity with refurbishments on operating facilities

HVAC Design Experience

Experience working on multidisciplinary teams for large-scale infrastructure projects.

Commissioning experience for mechanical systems

On‑site construction experience and ability to view design through a constructability lens.

Familiarity with design-build delivery models

Fluent in English (written and spoken).

Fluent in French an asset

P.Eng license in designated province #LI-GH

Working Conditions
Other Requirements:

Work productively and meet deadlines timely

Communicate and interact effectively and professionally with supervisors, employees, and others individually or in a team environment

Perform work safely and effectively. Understand and follow oral and written instructions, including warning signs, equipment use, and other policies.

Work during normal operating hours to organize and complete work within given deadlines. Work overtime and weekends as required.

May work at various different locations and conditions may vary

Openings are to fill both existing vacancies and newly created positions

Base Compensation: 170 – 210 K CAD / year

(Actual compensation is subject to variation due to such factors as education, experience, skillset, and/or location)

We offer our fulltime staff employees a comprehensive benefits package that’s among the best in our industry, including top-tier medical, dental and vision plans covering eligible employees and dependents, voluntary wellness and employee assistance programs, life insurance, disability, retirement plans with matching, and generous paid time off.

We believe in equal opportunity in employment practices without discriminationand complywith all laws regarding human rights in the provinces where we operate.

There’s no limit to what you’ll do at Kiewit. Whether you’re building or supporting projects that provide communities with dependable energy, safe transportation, clean water, or access to health care, the work you do will positively impact people’s lives for generations to come.

Here you’ll have endless opportunities to expand your expertise through on-the-job experience and internal and external training and development opportunities.

We offer our full-time staff employees a comprehensive benefits package that’s among the best in our industry. From top-tier health care programs to employee assistance programs and retirement planning, we aim to provide you with the tools you need to be successful in the areas of life that matter most.

Kiewit is an equal-opportunity employer, and we believe a diverse workforce is vital to the success of our business. We continue our efforts to attract, develop and retain employees from all backgrounds who are passionate about our industry.

We are committed to veteran and military hiring and will consider relevant military experience as equivalent to qualification requirements.

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📌 Lead Mechanical Engineer - Hydropower & Dams (Ontario)
🏢 Kiewit
📍 Ontario