Lead Electrical Engineer - Water & Wastewater

GHD; Southwestern Ontario; Hybrid; CAD 129,350 - 175,350; Full time

Job summary

GHD is seeking a Lead Electrical Engineer – Water & Wastewater in the Waterloo and/or GTA area. You will lead electrical design for water and wastewater facilities, oversee teams, and support proposals, client relations, and project delivery through all phases.

You will ensure compliance with Canadian electrical codes, coordinate with disciplines, and mentor staff while managing scope, schedule, and budgets on large, complex projects.

Qualifications

• B.A.Sc. in Electrical Engineering and an Ontario P.E. license.
• 15–20+ years of MV/LV electrical design experience.
• 15+ years in water and wastewater treatment plants.
• Experience supervising electrical teams and leading projects.
• Strong client-relations skills with budget and schedule management.
• Solid knowledge of Canadian electrical codes and protection theory.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor electrical teams across multiple projects.
• Write proposals, estimate design and construction fees, and produce reports.
• Manage client relations and support business development.
• Direct large, complex projects in fast-paced environments.
• Coordinate electrical designs with other disciplines and vendors.
• Ensure compliance with codes and regulatory requirements, with client liaison.
• Review designs, supervise documentation, and handle tendering activities.

Skills

Leadership

Client relations

Electrical design

Regulatory compliance

Project management

Strong communication

Multitasking

Education

B.A.Sc. in Electrical Engineering

P.E. Ontario registration

Job description

Lead Electrical Engineer – Water & Wastewater

Our Waterloo and/or GTA offices are looking for a Lead Electrical Engineer – Water & Wastewater to join the Engineering Design Organization (EDO) group. The engineer will work on a broad spectrum of electrical aspects for multiple projects, including new installations, upgrades of existing systems, testing, commissioning, and construction support across water and wastewater treatment plants, industrial plants, solid waste and non‑utility power generation plants in municipal and industrial sectors.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing electrical team standards and providing technical leadership for senior and intermediate engineers.
• Assisting in writing proposals, estimating design and construction fees, and producing reports.
• Managing client relations and supporting business development.
• Leading large, complex projects in a fast‑paced environment.
• Conducting condition assessments, leading client workshops, value‑engineering exercises, and presenting design options.
• Overseeing electrical project teams through all phases while monitoring schedule, quality, and budget.
• Providing supervision and coaching to electrical staff.
• Preparing detailed design drawing packages for utility interconnection, electrical system protection, LV/MV power distribution, motor control, standby power systems, instrumentation and control, building services, fire alarm, security, PA, DC/UPS, grounding, and equipment layouts.
• Reviewing design calculations and preparing contract documentation, including equipment specifications, cable/conduit schedules, installation specifications, procurement documents, sub‑contractor requisitions, scope‑of‑work, bill‑of‑materials, and process narratives.
• Quality control of design drawings and technical documents.
• Supporting tendering and construction activities: responding to RFIs, reviewing shop drawings, evaluating electrical reports (short circuit, protective device coordination, arc flash, GPR, harmonics), performing site inspections, preparing testing plans, and handling change orders.
• Coordinating electrical designs with other engineering disciplines, vendors, and external design teams.
• Ensuring compliance with Canadian electrical codes, industry standards, and regulatory requirements, and liaising with clients and authorities.

Qualifications

• B.A.Sc. in Electrical Engineering.
• Registered P.E. of Ontario.
• 15–20+ years of experience designing and implementing MV and LV electrical systems.
• 15+ years of experience in water and wastewater treatment plants.
• Large‑scale project experience and experience working with municipalities.
• Experience supervising electrical teams and leading technical development.
• Strong client‑relations skills, including managing scope changes, schedule, and budgets.
• Excellent knowledge of Canadian electrical codes, MV/LV power distribution design, equipment, safety strategies, and protection theory.
• Strong analytical, detail‑oriented, and judgmental decision‑making skills.
• Self‑motivated with a strong desire to learn.
• Well‑organized, capable of multitasking in fast‑paced, changing environments.
• Effective communication skills and ability to collaborate across multifunctional teams.
• Experience with industrial projects is an asset.
• P.Eng. licensed in provinces other than Ontario is an asset.
• Experience with City of Toronto and York Region projects is a strong asset.
• PMP designation is an asset.
• G‑class driver’s license.

Salary range: $129,350 to $175,350K.

We operate a hybrid model with three days a week in the office.

GHD is an equal‑opportunity employer. We encourage diverse and inclusive hiring and provide reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. AI may be used in the recruitment process, but final hiring decisions are made by humans.