Discipline Lead – Foundations and Structures

Pomerleau; Montreal; Hybrid; CAD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

RRSP with up to 5% employer matching

Hybrid work model for corporate roles

Employee stock ownership program

Career growth through real development

Transit pass reimbursement

Minimum 4 weeks vacation from day one

Job summary

Pomerleau is seeking a Discipline Lead – Foundations and Structural Engineering to act as the subject matter expert on foundation design and seismic considerations. You will influence design strategies during pre-construction, tendering, and execution, guiding material specs, testing programs, and lab selection while ensuring compliance and cost optimization.

Lead collaboration with consultants and subcontractors, participate in design workshops, and ensure seamless transitions from design

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or higher.
• Professional regulatory membership (e.g., OIQ) is required or strongly preferred.
• 15+ years of professional experience with at least 10 years in a design role.
• Recognized SME in geotechnical or structural disciplines.
• Experience in civil infrastructure and complex foundation challenges.
• Experience across design and construction phases (design-build, P3s, or similar).
• Strong initiative, leadership, and collaboration across teams.
• Excellent analytical, synthesis, and communication abilities.
• Ability to work with clients, teams, and partners at all levels.
• Bilingualism in English and French is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Review client docs and verify discipline scope during proposals.
• Set project design strategy and guiding principles with consultant.
• Participate in construction strategy discussions for discipline work.
• Develop concepts with consultants and specialized subcontractors.
• Optimize design for constructability and resolve design-construction gaps.
• Collaborate with estimating on pricing for discipline work.
• Join design meetings and facilitate information sharing with teams.
• Contribute to RFIs and design workshops with clients as needed.
• Implement design review procedures ensuring quality and standards.
• Identify risks and develop mitigation measures for the discipline.
• Review and validate drawings before issuance.
• Support the design team post-award through design completion.
• Negotiate with subcontractors and testing laboratories on contracts/pricing.
• Serve as discipline expert for geotechnical and material issues.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Analytical thinking

Collaboration

Bilingual EN/FR

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

MSc/PhD asset

Job description

The Discipline Lead – Foundations and Structural Engineering serves as a subject matter expert on specific projects and proposals requiring specialized technical input related to foundation design and structural seismic considerations. Their involvement spans both project development phases (Pre-Construction and Tendering) and project execution phases.During the Pre-Construction phase, the Discipline Lead collaborates on the development of discipline-specific design strategies as part of the design management or bid preparation team. They actively contribute to concept development alongside consultants and specialized subcontractors (when selected), while fostering greater synergy between the design and construction teams. The Discipline Lead provides leadership to ensure that designs and associated costs are optimized in accordance with client requirements and that design compliance is maintained throughout the process.The Discipline Lead is also involved in defining material requirements and material testing programs, as well as participating in the selection of testing laboratories responsible for conducting site investigations and material testing, and overseeing the execution and follow-up of such activities.Following contract award, the Discipline Lead continues to provide support, as required, through the completion of the design phase to ensure that established guidelines and design concepts are respected and properly implemented.During project execution, the Discipline Lead may also be called upon to provide technical expertise and recommendations from time to time on a variety of projects, whether design-related or construction-related, that arise within projects in which Pomerleau is involved.

What you will do

• Thoroughly review and understand all client-provided documentation related to the discipline during the proposal phase.
• Verify the scope of services of the consultant responsible for the discipline design (the “Consultant”) and identify any ambiguities, gaps, or missing required services.
• Establish, from the outset and in collaboration with the Consultant, the project design strategy and guiding principles for the discipline.
• Participate in discussions regarding the construction team's execution strategy for carrying out the discipline-related work.
• Develop, together with the Consultant and the discipline-specific subcontractor (the “Specialized Subcontractor”), where selected, efficient concepts and alternative solutions that comply with client requirements.
• Throughout the design development process, optimize the design within established project objectives to ensure constructability, identify discrepancies between design and construction, and assist in resolving them.
• Maintain close collaboration with the estimating team regarding discipline-related work to ensure the validity and competitiveness of Specialized Subcontractor pricing.
• Participate in design meetings, as required, with the project design team.
• Facilitate communication and information sharing between the Consultant and the construction team, particularly the Specialized Subcontractor involved in the discipline.
• Actively contribute to the estimating process to develop the most effective technical and commercial solutions.
• Participate, as needed, in design workshops with the client and clarify technical issues through Requests for Information (RFIs) when required.
• Develop and implement design review procedures to ensure quality, compliance with client requirements, and adherence to applicable codes and standards.
• Participate in risk identification and the development of mitigation measures related to the discipline.
• Review and validate the compliance of drawings and technical documents prior to official issuance.
• Following contract award, collaborate with the design team through completion of the design phase while ensuring a seamless transition to the design and/or construction teams.
• Participate in negotiations with Specialized Subcontractors and material testing laboratories regarding contracts and pricing.
• Serve as the discipline expert for geotechnical challenges, construction materials issues, and material installation or implementation matters.

This role could be for you if you have

• A minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering with a specialization in Structural Engineering. Advanced degrees (M.Sc. or Ph.D.) are considered strong assets.
• Membership in a professional regulatory body (e.g., OIQ or equivalent).
• At least 15 years of professional experience, including a minimum of 10 years in a design role within the discipline.
• Recognition as a subject matter expert in the field.
• Experience in civil infrastructure projects (roadways, bridges, transportation systems, etc.) and/or building construction projects involving complex foundation and material challenges, delivered through alternative procurement models such as Design-Build, Public-
• Private Partnerships (P3s), or other alternative contracting methods.
• Experience developing concepts and working within multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience in both consulting engineering (design firms) and construction (general or specialty contractors), considered an asset.
• A demonstrated ability to show initiative, innovation, discipline, and leadership in planning and concept development.
• Strong analytical and synthesis skills, sound judgment, and excellent interpersonal communication abilities.
• The ability to collaborate effectively with team members, partners, and clients at all levels.
• Comfort working in fast-paced and high-pressure environments.
• A solution-oriented mindset and the ability to influence and mobilize stakeholders.
• Bilingualism in English and French, considered an asset.

• RRSP with up to 5% employer matching
• Hybrid work model for corporate roles
• Employee stock ownership program
• Career growth through real development opportunities
• Transit pass reimbursement — get to work for free
• Minimum 4 weeks of vacation from day oneFor the past six years, we've proudly held the distinction of being one of Canada's Top 100 Employers.

Pomerleau is a national leader in construction, delivering major projects across Canada. We believe in creating a workplace where people feel respected, supported, and empowered to grow. Our culture is built on collaboration, trust, and a shared commitment to doing great work.