Fisheries Engineer

Meridia Recruitment; Dartmouth; On-site; CAD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Kleinschmidt, a premier employee-owned consulting firm, is seeking a Fisheries Engineer to join its Canadian team. You will work on fish passage projects as part of multidisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists, delivering innovative, field-tested solutions for renewable energy, water resources, and habitat restoration.

The role emphasizes design, project management, client and regulatory coordination, mentoring junior staff, and business development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil, Structural, Hydraulic, or related engineering.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (P.Eng.).
• Minimum of 10 years of professional engineering experience in fisheries, water resources, or ecological infrastructure.
• Knowledge of design standards, codes, and best practices in fisheries engineering.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with experience in reports and client presentations.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and implementation of fisheries engineering projects, including fish passage facilities, hatcheries, culvert retrofits, and river restoration.
• Apply expertise to support fish-friendly infrastructure from concept to construction.
• Serve as a project manager on multi-disciplinary projects, managing budgets and schedules.
• Engage with clients, regulatory agencies, and contractors to ensure compliance.
• Mentor junior engineers and foster a collaborative environment.
• Contribute to business development by building client relationships and proposals.
• Participate in field investigations, construction oversight, and technical report development.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Mentoring

Client engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil/Structural/Hydraulic/related

Professional Engineer (P.Eng.)

Job description

Job Title: Fisheries Engineer

Location: Halifax, NS

TP - KLA - 7986

Meridia Recruitment Solutions is proud to partner with Kleinschmidt, one of North America’s premier employee-owned consulting firms specializing in hydropower. Together, we are recruiting for a Fisheries Engineer to join Kleinschmidt’s growing team in Canada.

Founded in 1966, Kleinschmidt is a growing company, with an established presence in both Canada and the United States. The people of Kleinschmidt combine engineering expertise, regulatory know-how, and scientific skills to tackle the most challenging projects in renewable energy, water resources, and the natural environment. As an organization, Kleinschmidt brings unparalleled value to clients by developing engineering, regulatory, and environmental solutions that lower cost, shorten schedules, and improve regulatory relationships.

By joining Kleinschmidt, you'll find a vibrant community of professionals eager to share knowledge and help you achieve your career goals. You'll work on a variety of projects across North America, which will give you the opportunity to make a positive impact on local communities and the environment. Best of all, you'll have access to incredible professional development programs. At Kleinschmidt, you're in control of your own destiny!

Role Description

As the Fisheries Engineer, you will serve a foundational role on multi-disciplinary teams of engineers and scientists in the delivery of fish passage projects. General tasks will include performing and/or managing structural, civil, and hydraulic design tasks in support of fisheries engineering projects.

Responsibilities

• Leading the design and implementation of fisheries engineering projects, including fish passage facilities, hatcheries, culvert retrofits, and river or stream restoration efforts.
• Applying expertise in structural, civil, or hydraulic engineering to support fish-friendly infrastructure projects from concept through construction.
• Serving as a project manager on multi-disciplinary projects, overseeing budgets, schedules, deliverables, and coordination with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Engaging with clients, regulatory agencies, and contractors during all project phases - ensuring compliance with applicable standards, codes, and permitting requirements.
• Mentoring junior engineers and technical staff, fostering professional growth and promoting a collaborative, team-oriented environment.
• Contributing to business development efforts by building and maintaining long-term relationships with clients, preparing proposals, and identifying new project opportunities.
• Participating in field investigations, construction oversight, and technical report development to support fisheries-related infrastructure and habitat restoration work.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (BS, BSc, or BEng) in Civil, Structural, Hydraulic, or a closely related engineering discipline.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (P.Eng.).
• Minimum of 10 years of professional engineering experience, ideally with a focus in fisheries, water resources, or ecological infrastructure.
• Knowledge of relevant design standards, codes, and best practices in fisheries engineering.
• Proven ability to work directly with clients, regulatory agencies, and contractors throughout all phases of project development and execution.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience preparing technical reports, permit documents, and client presentations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with fish passage systems, hatchery design, stream restoration, or related fisheries infrastructure projects.
• Familiarity with permitting and regulatory processes in both Canadian and U.S. jurisdictions.
• Demonstrated experience managing multi-disciplinary project teams and overseeing multiple projects concurrently.
• Passion for mentoring junior staff and contributing to a collaborative, high‑performing engineering team.

Additional Requirements

• Must possess authorization to work in Canada and be able to acquire authorization to work in the United States.
• Must be willing to travel periodically and possess a valid driver's license.
• Preference will be given to candidates in Nova Scotia, but candidates from other provinces will also be considered.