Lead Mechanical Engineer (District Energy)

WSP in Canada; Markham; On-site; CAD 112,000 - 154,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP in Canada seeks a senior Lead Professional – Mechanical to own and deliver mechanical systems for district energy, central plants, and HVAC across commercial, institutional, residential, and industrial sectors. You will mentor others while keeping hands-on technical delivery at the core of the role.

You will coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, engage clients, and ensure design quality with adherence to codes and standards.

Qualifications

• 8–12 years of professional experience in mechanical engineering.
• P.Eng. designation and Ontario licensure through PEO.
• Experience designing mechanical building systems (HVAC and central plant).
• Strong knowledge of OBC, CSA, and ASHRAE standards.
• Experience with district energy or central plant projects.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD, Revit, and Microsoft Office.
• Manage multiple project scopes; coordinate across teams.
• Hands-on technical mindset; mentor professionals.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex mechanical projects from concept through completion.
• Design and direct HVAC, heating/cooling plant, and district energy solutions.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary design with architectural/electrical/structural teams.
• Perform heat loads, ventilation, ducting and piping sizing; energy modelling.
• Prepare drawings, specs, shop drawings, and construction docs.
• Engage clients and respond to RFIs and design revisions.
• Support construction through site reviews and investigations.
• Mentor junior professionals and contribute to proposals and sustainability initiatives.

Skills

8–12 years experience

Mechanical engineering degree

P.Eng. Ontario licensure

HVAC and central plant design

Ontario Building Code knowledge

CSA/ASHRAE standards

District energy/central plant

AutoCAD / Revit / Office

Multidisciplinary coordination

Mentorship & leadership (technical)

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in mechanical engineering

PEng licensure in Ontario (PEO) or Canadian jurisdiction

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description

What if you could redefine what's possible? With us, you can.

With us, you can. You want Purpose. Growth. Opportunity. People who get it.

The Opportunity

Design What Comes Next

Bring your mechanical engineering expertise to complex, high-impact projects spanning district energy systems, central heating and cooling plants, and HVAC systems.

As a Lead Professional – Mechanical, you will take a hands‑on technical leadership role in the delivery of new-build and retrofit projects across commercial, institutional, residential, and industrial sectors. You will own mechanical scope, coordinate multidisciplinary design activities, engage directly with clients, and help deliver efficient, coordinated, and technically sound solutions.

This is a senior individual contributor opportunity designed for an experienced mechanical professional who wants to lead projects and mentor others while remaining closely connected to technical delivery, without formal people management responsibilities.

Your Impact

• Lead complex mechanical projects from concept through completion, taking ownership of scope, schedule, technical quality, coordination, and delivery.
• Design and direct HVAC, heating and cooling plant, and district energy solutions, including the selection of chillers, boilers, cooling towers, pumps, air handling units, heat pumps, VRF systems, and related equipment.
• Guide multidisciplinary coordination with architectural, electrical, structural, civil, and other project teams to deliver integrated design solutions.
• Perform and oversee heating and cooling loads, ventilation and air balance calculations, and ductwork and piping sizing while contributing to energy modelling and performance‑based design.
• Prepare and review design briefs, drawings, specifications, shop drawings, and construction documentation in accordance with applicable codes, standards, and WSP quality requirements.
• Engage clients, owners, authorities, and project stakeholders by leading technical discussions, communicating design concepts, and responding to RFIs and design revisions.
• Support construction through site reviews, field investigations, inspections, and resolution of site‑related technical issues.
• Mentor junior and intermediate professionals and contribute technical expertise to proposals, project pursuits, sustainability initiatives, and decarbonization projects.

The Skills That Set You Apart

• 8–12 years of professional experience combined with a bachelor's or master's degree in mechanical engineering.
• Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation and licensure in Ontario through PEO, or another Canadian jurisdiction.
• Extensive experience designing mechanical building systems, particularly HVAC and central heating and cooling plant systems.
• Strong knowledge of the Ontario Building Code, CSA standards, and ASHRAE standards, with demonstrated ability to apply these requirements to mechanical design and project delivery.
• Demonstrated experience with district energy or central plant projects; exposure to decarbonization and energy‑transition projects is an asset.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD, Revit, and Microsoft Office, supported by strong technical analysis and problem‑solving capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple project scopes and priorities while coordinating effectively across multidisciplinary teams, clients, and stakeholders.
• A hands‑on technical mindset with the ability to take ownership of project delivery, mentor developing professionals, and grow into broader project leadership responsibilities.

Why Choose WSP?

Why Choose WSP? We exist to shape communities to advance humanity. The brightest engineers, advisors and scientists from across the globe call WSP home.

• Proudly Canadian – we are a Top 100 Employer in Canada for 2026.
• A global community of brilliant minds – your next idea, mentor, or opportunity is always within reach.
• Limitless opportunities start here. Whether it’s across the country or around the globe, we help you tailor your role to match your ambition — because your growth drives ours.
• Flexible work, real balance – we recognize the importance of balance in our lives and encourage you to prioritize the balance in yours.

Compensation

AB, BC, NT, NU, SK & YT: $122,900 - $162,800

MB & ON: $112,100 - $154,400

NB, NL, NS, PE & QC: $111,000 - $147,400

Disclosure

The final salary awarded for this role may vary from the above range based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs. The wage range provided in this job posting may be subject to change for business purposes. This disclosure matches the approved wording in

Make Your Mark

Bring your expertise in mechanical systems, district energy, and central plants to projects that are shaping more efficient and resilient places. If you're ready to combine hands‑on engineering with technical and project leadership, join WSP and help design what comes next.

About Us

At WSP, we exist to shape communities to advance humanity.

It’s why we bring people together who are wired to solve complex challenges - engineers, scientists, advisors, and technical experts who are driven by a common passion - to redefine what’s possible and shape what comes next. We are Visioneers.

As one of the world’s leading professional services firms, we partner with clients across transportation, infrastructure, environment, buildings, energy, water, mining and metals. We pair deep local knowledge with global insights to pioneer solutions designed to leave a lasting, positive impact.

At WSP, you’ll join a community of brilliant minds that push boundaries every day - applying deep expertise and fuelling innovation to help create a more connected and resilient future. Here, your ideas are valued, your growth is supported, and you are encouraged to bring your authentic self to work. We empower our people to collaborate across disciplines, challenge the status quo, and shape a career with purpose.

Join us.

Please Note: Health and Safety is a core paramount value of WSP. Given the importance of keeping one another safe it is expected that you comply with our Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) policy at all times as well as client HSE policies when working at client locations. Full details here . Some safety‑sensitive positions involve fieldwork and may include work in a variety of environmental conditions, such as remote or isolated areas, working alone, and in inclement weather (within safe and reasonable limits). WSP welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. WSP is committed to the principles of employment equity. Only the candidates selected will be contacted. WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies. Full details here .