Engineering Manager - Industrial Automation & Power Systems

Kinetic Search Group; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Extended health and dental coverage

Employer RRSP matching

Professional development

Paid personal wellness time

Collaborative, technically focused env

Career advancement opportunities

Job summary

Kinetic Search Group seeks an accomplished Engineering Manager in the Greater Vancouver Area to lead a multidisciplinary team focused on electrical power systems, automation, and motor control. You will shape engineering standards, mentor engineers, and guide complex projects from design through commissioning.

You will drive technical governance, collaboration across functions, and continuous improvement while expanding capabilities in innovative control architectures and data-driven

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of progressive electrical engineering, automation, or power-systems experience.
• At least 3–5 years in engineering management or multidisciplinary team leadership.
• Experience designing, integrating, or managing complex industrial electrical power and automation systems.
• Experience in an industrial equipment manufacturer, system integrator, or automation-focused organization is highly desirable.
• Proven ability to lead teams while actively contributing to technical decisions.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical oversight for engineering projects from concept to commissioning and acceptance.
• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary team of electrical, controls, and automation engineers.
• Establish engineering standards, procedures, and quality controls.
• Collaborate with PM, manufacturing, procurement, field service, and commercial teams for on-time delivery.
• Guide power-system design including MCCs, switchgear, VFDs, and motor control solutions.
• Drive standardization of control architectures and design methodologies.
• Evaluate new technologies for performance, reliability, and cost benefits.
• Mentor staff, manage resource planning, and support career development.

Skills

Electrical engineering leadership

Team mentorship

Project management

Technical communication

Industrial automation

Education

Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering

P.Eng. designation

Master's degree (asset)

Tools

PLC

HMI

SCADA

Ethernet/IP

PROFINET

Modbus

Job description

Our client is an established Canadian leader in engineered industrial automation, electrical power systems, and advanced motor control solutions. Serving some of North America's most demanding industrial sectors, the organization combines specialized engineering expertise, in-house manufacturing, systems integration, and comprehensive technical services to deliver customized solutions that improve operational efficiency, equipment reliability, and productivity.

Its capabilities span low- and medium-voltage power distribution, variable frequency drives (VFDs), motor control centres (MCCs), programmable logic controllers (PLCs), industrial networking, SCADA systems, motion control, and sophisticated automation technologies. From custom-engineered electrical equipment to fully integrated process control systems, the company supports projects throughout their lifecycle, including design, manufacturing, commissioning, modernization, and ongoing technical support.

With an established presence in the Canadian industrial marketplace and a diverse customer base across mining, forestry, pulp and paper, manufacturing, water and wastewater, marine, and critical infrastructure, the organization continues to invest in engineering innovation, technical capabilities, and operational excellence.

This is an opportunity to join a technically sophisticated business where engineering plays a central role in customer success, product development, and long-term organizational growth.

We are seeking an accomplished Engineering Manager to lead and further develop a multidisciplinary engineering team specializing in electrical power systems, industrial automation, and advanced motor control technologies. Based in the Greater Vancouver Area, this senior leadership role will oversee the design, integration, standardization, and delivery of complex industrial electrical and automation solutions that support customers across multiple industries and geographic markets.

The successful candidate will combine strong technical expertise in low- and medium-voltage electrical systems with proven engineering leadership capabilities. They will develop engineering talent, establish technical standards, improve project execution, and support the continued expansion of the organization's engineering capabilities. This position offers significant influence over engineering strategy, technical innovation, and organizational development, with a clear path to broader engineering leadership.

Responsibilities

Engineering Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a multidisciplinary team of electrical, controls, and automation engineers.
• Establish engineering priorities, performance expectations, and technical development plans.
• Build engineering capacity and strengthen internal technical capabilities to support business growth.
• Promote a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Electrical Power Systems & Motor Control

• Provide technical leadership for the design and integration of low- and medium-voltage electrical power systems, including MCCs, switchgear, VFDs, soft starters, and associated equipment.
• Oversee engineered motor control solutions for demanding industrial applications, including high-horsepower systems and complex operating environments.
• Guide engineering decisions involving power quality, harmonic mitigation, arc-flash protection, system reliability, and electrical safety.
• Ensure equipment designs meet customer specifications, operating requirements, and applicable electrical standards.
• Direct engineering activities involving PLC, HMI, SCADA, industrial networking, and integrated process control systems.
• Oversee the integration of electrical power equipment with industrial automation platforms and plant-wide control networks.
• Support the development of standardized control architectures, engineering documentation, and reusable design methodologies.
• Evaluate emerging technologies in intelligent motor control, predictive maintenance, industrial connectivity, and data-driven process optimization.

Engineering Operations & Project Execution

• Provide technical oversight for complex engineering projects, from initial design and equipment selection through manufacturing, testing, commissioning, and customer acceptance.
• Collaborate with project management, manufacturing, procurement, field service, and commercial teams to ensure successful project delivery.
• Establish consistent engineering procedures, quality standards, and technical review processes.
• Support engineering resource planning, project scheduling, technical risk assessment, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Provide senior-level technical guidance for equipment modernization, troubleshooting, reliability improvements, and complex customer applications.

Technical Governance & Strategic Development

• Develop and maintain engineering standards, design practices, and technical documentation across electrical and automation disciplines.
• Ensure compliance with applicable CSA, UL, IEEE, IEC, and other relevant electrical and industry standards.
• Contribute to long-term engineering strategy, technology selection, and expanding the organization's technical capabilities.
• Support engineering standardization across projects, facilities, and customer applications.
• Work with senior leadership to identify opportunities for innovation, improved efficiency, and sustainable business growth.

Qualifications & Experience

Education & Professional Credentials

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems, Automation Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation required, with eligibility to practise in British Columbia.
• A master's degree or additional technical certifications are an asset.

Professional Experience

• Minimum 10 years of progressive electrical engineering, industrial automation, or power systems experience.
• At least 3-5 years of engineering management, technical leadership, or multidisciplinary team leadership experience.
• Demonstrated experience designing, integrating, or managing complex industrial electrical power and automation systems.
• Experience within an industrial equipment manufacturer, electrical systems integrator, automation engineering firm, or related technical organization is highly desirable.
• Proven ability to lead engineering teams while remaining actively involved in technical decision-making.

Technical Expertise

• Strong knowledge of low- and medium-voltage electrical distribution, MCCs, switchgear, and industrial motor control systems.
• Significant experience with VFD applications, soft starters, motor protection, and high-horsepower electrical equipment.
• Familiarity with major industrial automation and electrical equipment platforms, including ABB, Siemens, Rockwell Automation, Schneider Electric, or equivalent technologies.
• Working knowledge of PLC, HMI, SCADA, and industrial communication networks, including Ethernet/IP, PROFINET, and Modbus.
• Understanding of power quality, harmonic analysis, electrical protection, arc-flash mitigation, and industrial electrical safety.
• Experience with engineered control panels, electrical equipment manufacturing, system testing, and commissioning.
• Knowledge of applicable Canadian and international electrical codes and engineering standards.

Leadership & Business Capabilities

• Demonstrated success developing technical teams and mentoring engineering professionals.
• Strong project management, organizational, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to balance engineering quality, project schedules, commercial requirements, and customer expectations.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate with technical and nontechnical stakeholders.
• A practical, solutions-oriented leadership style suited to a technically demanding and customer-focused environment.

Industry Experience

Experience in one or more of the following sectors would be particularly valuable:

• Mining & Mineral Processing: Heavy-duty motor control, pumping systems, material handling, and electrical equipment operating in challenging environments.
• Pulp, Paper & Forestry: Process automation, production equipment, conveyor systems, and industrial motor applications.
• Industrial Manufacturing: Integrated automation, machinery controls, production line modernization, and electrical power distribution.
• Water & Wastewater: Pumping systems, process controls, critical equipment reliability, and electrical infrastructure.
• Marine & Critical Infrastructure: Specialized electrical systems, high-reliability applications, and complex equipment integration.

Our client offers a competitive compensation package that reflects the technical expertise and leadership responsibilities of this position.

• Competitive base salary based on experience and qualifications
• Extended health and dental coverage
• Employer RRSP matching program
• Professional development, continuing education, and technical training opportunities
• Paid personal wellness time
• Collaborative, technically focused working environment
• Long-term professional growth and career advancement opportunities

This position represents an opportunity to influence the future direction of a growing engineering organization. The successful candidate will play a central role in strengthening engineering processes, developing technical talent, expanding organizational capabilities, and supporting increasingly sophisticated industrial automation and electrical power projects. For an accomplished engineering professional seeking greater leadership responsibility, the position offers a potential progression toward a Director of Engineering role, with broader oversight of integrated automation, electrical power systems, and engineering operations.