Head of Projects & Engineering

Lock Search Group; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 160,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Lock Search Group is seeking a Head of Projects & Engineering for a privately owned Canadian engineering and manufacturing company. This leadership role oversees Mechanical and Electrical Engineering and Project Management, driving strategic direction, resource allocation, and accountability across departments.

The person will guide project execution, budgets, risk management, and continuous improvement while ensuring on‑time, on‑budget delivery and high standards, reporting to the General

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical and/or Electrical) is required.
• 5+ years of engineering experience in engineering/manufacturing with heavy‑duty equipment applications, plus 3+ years in project management.
• Experience in high‑volume manufacturing or smaller scale custom equipment may not fit this role.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across Engineering and Project Management for highly engineered solutions.
• Lead, coach, and develop Mechanical Engineers, Electrical Engineers, PMs, and contractors.
• Set departmental priorities and allocate staff, resources, workloads, and project priorities.

Skills

Leadership

PM leadership

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder mgmt

Team development

Budgeting

Risk management

Quality systems

SolidWorks

ERP systems

MS Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

ERP systems

MS Office

Project management tools

Job description

Vacancy: This posting is for a currently open position.

Target salary: 160k – 180k + bonus

COMPANY PROFILE

Our client is a privately owned Canadian engineering and manufacturing company specializing in highly engineered, custom-built solutions for complex heavy-duty equipment applications across the infrastructure and industrial manufacturing sectors. The company designs and builds complex, purpose-built solutions, ranging from specialized stabilizing systems to custom automation equipment – heavy duty industrial applications.

With a strong reputation for innovation, technical expertise, and quality, the organization serves customers across diverse industrial sectors. Its culture is built around teamwork, accountability, collaboration, continuous learning, and delivering solutions that produce exceptional value for their customers.

Due to recent changes in the organization, they are seeking to acquire a new Head of Projects & Engineering leader to lead their Project Management and Engineering departments.

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the General Manager and as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Head of Projects & Engineering will lead the company’s Engineering and Project Management functions. The role provides strategic and operational leadership across Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Project Management. With significant decision-making responsibility, the successful candidate will drive project execution, resource allocation, team development, and continuous improvement while ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across Engineering and Project Management within engineering and manufacturing companies that specialize in highly engineered, custom-built solutions for complex heavy-duty equipment applications.
• Lead, coach, and develop Mechanical Engineers, Electrical Engineers, Project Managers, and engineering contractors.
• Set departmental priorities and make key decisions regarding staffing, resource allocation, workload, and project priorities.
• Oversee project execution from planning through completion, ensuring scope, timelines, budgets, quality, and technical requirements are met.
• Proactively identify and mitigate project risks, resolve issues, and implement contingency plans when required.
• Collaborate with customers, Manufacturing, Purchasing, and other stakeholders to address technical requirements, production challenges, materials, change orders, and delivery expectations.
• Oversee project financial performance, including job costing, invoicing, revenue recognition, margins, and contractual requirements.
• Ensure effective project documentation, engineering standards, quality processes, shipping, commissioning, and project closeout.
• Drive continuous improvement across Engineering and Project Management processes while supporting the development of future leaders.
• Represent the company professionally and contribute to Senior Leadership Team decisions, ensuring a strong customer experience and successful business outcomes.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical and/or Electrical ideally).
• 5+ years of engineering experience within an engineering and manufacturing company(s) that specialize in highly engineered, custom-built solutions for complex heavy-duty equipment applications, combined with 3+ years of project management experience in a similar scope.
• Candidates with high-volume manufacturing backgrounds or experience in smaller-scale custom equipment solutions are not considered a fit for this position.
• Proven leadership experience managing and developing engineering and/or project management teams – ideally both.
• Strong strategic thinking and decision‑making skills, with the ability to set priorities and manage competing demands – active participant in senior leadership decision‑making.
• Solid understanding of project planning, scheduling, resource allocation, budgeting, job costing, and risk management.
• Strong technical aptitude and knowledge of quality systems, engineering standards, and complex engineered solutions.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate at all levels internally and externally.
• Highly analytical, organized, and solutions‑oriented, with strong problem‑solving skills and attention to detail – hands‑on approach to problem‑solving.
• Proficiency with engineering software (e.g., SolidWorks), project management tools, Microsoft Office, and ERP systems.
• P.Eng., PMP certification, and experience with engineering workflow automation or scripting are considered strong assets.

The employer may use AI-assisted tools during the screening of applicants.

Thank you in advance for your interest, only individuals deemed to have the skill set and experience to fit the role will be contacted. Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada without sponsorship.