High Voltage Engineering Lead - Energy, Technical Director

Focus: Transmission & Distribution and Substation

Become part of our global network of skilled engineers, scientists, auditors, planners and environmental specialists, all working together to leave this world better than we found it.

Who are we looking for?

To support GHD’s growth in the Energy business across Canada, GHD is making investments to increase our footprint. Our Canadian business is looking for a dynamic and motivated individual in the role of High Voltage Engineering Lead or Technical Director to join their Energy team! In this role, you will lead and expand our energy and T&D-substation delivery team and liaise with key clients across Canada and supporting the US, based out of one of our Ontario offices in Waterloo, Mississauga, Markham, Toronto or Whitby. You’ll support delivery of work aligned with our strategic plans, identify client needs, and deliver cutting-edge solutions in areas like transmission and distribution, grid optimization, and substations as well as power generation, while working with our energy team across many related areas including hydropower, wind, solar, hydrogen and other existing and emerging technologies. Your expertise across new installation, existing system upgrades, testing, commissioning and system optimization will be utilized in a delivery and mentorship role. You’ll support not only delivery but also business development. This is your opportunity to build lasting client relationships, mentor rising talent, and collaborate with industry leaders to champion innovative project delivery!

Role Purpose

This role combines senior-level project delivery leadership with strategic client relationship management for priority energy and utility clients. It is designed for an experienced utility professional who can lead complex, multidisciplinary projects while also acting as a trusted client interface.

The role is delivery-led, with accountability for major projects forming the core of the position, complemented by relationship management responsibilities that help strengthen client partnerships, identify future opportunities, and support sustainable growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead proposal requests, developing design and construction fees, and proposal report writing.
• Contribute to pursuit strategies and proposals where delivery credibility and electrical experience are key differentiators. Support proposals and pursuits from a delivery, constructability, and execution perspective.
• Complete condition assessments for various facilities.
• Leading technical design teams on large, complex projects as discipline lead and providing guidance and support to other project team members. May be called upon to act as project manager responsible for work breakdown, schedule, budgets, supervising staff and providing leadership and guidance on project basis.
• Be a part of multi-functional teams with the ability to relate well and cooperate with other members of the team, to effectively coordinate activities and accomplish goals
• Coordination of electrical system designs with other engineering disciplines (process, mechanical, civil, structural, etc.), other electrical teams, vendors, and outside design team members. Providing direction to and coordination with internal designers/drafter’s team.
• Preparing and leading electrical specific meetings with clients presenting design options, system functionality, etc.
• Leading detailed design drawing packages for projects of varying scale, including the following: 
  • Substation design
  • Electrical system protection and coordination
  • Utility interconnection
  • Secondary pole line design
  • Power distribution and motor control at various voltage levels
  • Standby power systems design
  • Building services (lighting, security, etc.)
  • Fire Alarm systems
  • Communication systems
  • DC systems
  • UPS systems
  • Grounding including Ground Potential Rise studies
  • Equipment layouts
  • Grid integration and optimization
• Completion and/or review of electrical design calculations and electrical power systems modelling.
• Leading the preparation of contract documentation including equipment specifications, cable/conduit schedules, installation specifications, equipment procurement documents, sub-contractor requisitions, scope-of-work, bill-of-materials, and process narratives.
• Technical review and quality control of design drawings and documents. 
• Ensuring compliance with Canadian electrical codes and standards, relevant industry standards and regulations. Coordination and liaison with clients and approving authorities
• Ensuring engineering designs adhere to standards such as specifications, design checklists, detail drawings etc. 
• Professional sealing of technical documents.
• Support during tendering and construction including responding to RFIs, assisting GHD and client site personnel, reviewing shop drawings, evaluating electrical reports (short circuit, protective device coordination, arc flash, ground potential rise (GPR), harmonics, etc.), completing site inspections, preparing testing plans, preparation and evaluation of change orders and participation in project meetings.
• Coordination with clients, vendors, other disciplines, authorities, hydro throughout design and construction phases of projects.
• Working with management in developing technical capacity and capability. May be requested to take on people manager role per business growth.
• Assisting and/or leading efforts to develop technical standards utilizing information obtained through collaboratively working on multi-disciplinary projects.
• Ensure consistent application of GHD’s health, safety, quality, and project management systems.
• Mentor and support technical staff, contributing to capability development and delivery excellence.
• Support client engagement planning, including regular check-ins, lessons learned, and forward-looking discussions.
• Maintain and manage client relationships to ensure client satisfaction and repeat work.
• Identify growth opportunities arising from project delivery, including follow-on phases, extensions, and new programs.
• Collaborate across regions, disciplines and with global design centres to deliver a One GHD approach to client solutions
• 15 years or more of experience involved in the design and implementation of electrical systems including high- and medium-voltage substations, motors and drives, power distribution, power generation, and grid optimization as well as working knowledge of field instrumentation and automated equipment integration.
• Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
• Professional licensure or eligibility preferred, in Ontario (P.Eng.). Licensure in other provinces or jurisdictions considered an asset.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) designation will be considered as asset
• Good working knowledge of Ontario Electrical Safety Code, Canadian Electrical Code, NFPA 70, National Electrical Code (NEC), CSA codes and standards and other relevant industry standards and regulations. Understanding of HV, MV and LV power distribution design concepts, equipment and personnel safety strategies and electrical system protection theories and applications
• Familiarity with design standards from large Ontario utilities such as Alectra, Toronto Hydro and others will be considered an asset.
• Experience with electrical design at 600V and below will be considered an asset.
• Experience in leading medium to large electrical design teams will be considered an asset.
• Experience in project delivery within a multi-disciplinary engineering/architecture consulting firm is an asset
• Strong understanding of design processes, technical integration, risk management, and quality assurance/quality control systems
• Experience in future energy projects will be an asset
• Strong analytical skills, attention to detail and continual diligence to follow-up while exercising sound judgment
• Self-motivated, with strong desire to learn and grow
• Exceptional time management skills with the capability to multi-task and manage numerous projects
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and written/oral communication skills
• Capable of working independently with minimal supervision & guidance 
• Proven strong communication, interpersonal and collaboration skills to optimally coordinate activities and accomplish goals
• Ability to engage and influence various stakeholders, including clients, partners, regulators, and internal teams
• Comfortable operating in a hybrid design role including client-facing interaction
• Experience with Design Bid Build (DBB), Design Build (DB), and alternative delivery projects such as Progressive DB, Integrated Project Delivery/Alliance and/or P3 considered an asset 
• G class driver’s license with the ability to travel to job sites on occasion as required

At GHD, base salary is determined by your skills, experience, qualifications and work location. 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.

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