Lead Mechanical Engineer - Hydropower & Dams

Kiewit; Oakville; Hybrid; CAD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Kiewit is seeking a Lead Mechanical Engineer to lead the mechanical design and delivery of hydropower, dam, and hydraulic structures projects across North America. The role sits within the HDH team, mentoring engineers and coordinating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure constructible, safe designs.

The position allows remote or hybrid work and requires travel to project sites, with compensation reflecting senior-level expertise in Canada's power sector.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• 10+ years of relevant engineering experience (15+ preferred).
• Licensed Professional Engineer (P.Eng) in Canada.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design of BOP systems for hydropower and dams.
• Perform hydraulic calculations and pipe stress analysis.
• Mentor junior engineers and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.
• Support procurement, commissioning, and field engineering.

Skills

Mechanical system design

Piping design

Hydromechanical systems

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Pipe stress analysis

HVAC design

Job description

Lead Mechanical Engineer - Hydropower & Dams

Location: Oakville, ON, CA Burnaby, British Columbia, CA

Job Level: Senior Level

Home District/Group: Kiewit Infrastructure Engineers

Market: Power

Employment Type: Full Time

Position Overview

Kiewit is seeking a Lead Mechanical Engineer to play a key technical leadership role in the design and delivery of complex hydropower, dam, and hydraulic structure projects across North America.

As a senior member of Kiewit’s Hydropower, Dams, and Hydraulic Structures (HDH) team, you will contribute to the planning and constructable design of mechanical balance-of-plant systems for major infrastructure projects, including traditional and pumped-storage hydropower facilities.

You will collaborate closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams and construction partners while supporting mentorship and technical excellence.

Why Join Kiewit’s Hydropower & Dams Team?

• Work on large, complex hydropower and dam projects across Canada and the U.S.
• Be part of an integrated design–construction environment with real project impact
• Collaborate with high-performing multidisciplinary teams
• Opportunity to mentor engineers and shape technical direction
• Contribute to the growth of a rapidly expanding HDH practice

District Overview

Our rapidly growing Power district, which includes structural, civil, piping, mechanical, process, process safety, electrical, instrument and control disciplines, is a multi-faceted division of Kiewit with best-in-class technical expertise focused on the EPC delivery model for power facilities. We offer a variety of engineering services, including owner's engineering, project development, detailed engineering and design, construction management and plant services. Our engineering teams bring power projects to life across North America in the following areas:

• Gas-fired generation
• Renewables and new technology
• Water/wastewater
• Carbon-Free - Nuclear

We are a high performing team of engineers and designers that develop projects through the project life-cycle engaging exciting projects throughout North America. Our staff leads the power markets engineering process and collaborates with Kiewit’s construction teams to approach construction-driven engineering with a focus on safe, cost-effective, and innovative designs that achieve client expectations and further Kiewit’s legacy of excellence.

At Kiewit, we deliver some of the most challenging and meaningful infrastructure projects in North America. Our integrated design–construction approach allows engineers to see their work built and collaborate directly with construction teams to deliver innovative, practical solutions.

Location

• This position is based out of Oakville, ON or Burnaby, BC.
• Remote or hybrid work arrangements may be considered
• Occasional travel will be required.

Responsibilities

Technical & Project Leadership

• Serve as a senior mechanical technical resource on hydropower and dam projects, commensurate with experience
• Lead and support the design of:
  • Balance of plant (BOP) mechanical systems
  • HVAC Systems
  • Drainage Systems
  • Interfaces with generating unit mechanical auxiliary systems
  • Supporting systems for hydromechanical equipment (gates, valves, stoplogs, cranes/hoists)
  • Large-diameter piping systems (water, cooling, etc.)
  • Process diagrams and instrument selection
• Perform and review:
  • Hydraulic calculations
  • Heat balancing equations
  • Pipe stress analysis
  • Equipment sizing and specification
  • Generating unit efficiency calculations
• Ensure designs are practical, constructible, and aligned with project delivery requirements
• Support procurement packages and commissioning planning
• Collaborate closely with internal engineering teams, construction personnel, and external design partners.
• Mentor and support the development of junior and intermediate engineers through technical guidance and knowledge sharing.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive team environment focused on quality, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Interface with clients, regulators, subconsultants, and project stakeholders as a senior technical representative.

Project Delivery & Execution

• Support all phases of project delivery including:
  • Project development and conceptual design
  • Detailed engineering and design management
  • Construction support and field engineering
  • Commissioning and project closeout
• Coordinate multidisciplinary design efforts and ensure integration across disciplines
• Contribute to RFIs, design changes, and field issue resolution

Business & Practice Development

• Support business development efforts, including pursuits, technical proposals, and client engagement.
• Contribute to the growth and evolution of the HDH practice through strategic initiatives, lessons learned, and continuous improvement.
• Interest in improving design efficiency through new tools and workflows (including AI‑enabled solutions).

Quality & Safety

• Lead by example in promoting a strong culture of safety, quality, and accountability.
• Support implementation and continuous improvement of the design quality management system.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering
• 10+ years of relevant engineering experience (15+ preferred)
• Demonstrated experience on hydropower, pumped storage, or large infrastructure projects
• Licensed Professional Engineer (P.Eng) in Canada
• Strong experience with:
  • Mechanical system design for power or industrial facilities
  • Piping design and analysis (including pipe stress)
  • Hydromechanical systems and equipment
• Familiarity with EPC, EPCM, or design-build project delivery models
• Willingness to travel periodically to project offices and job sites

Preferred

• Familiarity with refurbishments on operating facilities
• HVAC Design Experience
• Experience working on multidisciplinary teams for large-scale infrastructure projects.
• Commissioning experience for mechanical systems
• On‑site construction experience and ability to view design through a constructability lens.
• Familiarity with design-build delivery models
• Fluent in English (written and spoken).
• Fluent in French an asset
• P.Eng license in designated province #LI-GH

Working Conditions

Other Requirements:

• Work productively and meet deadlines timely
• Communicate and interact effectively and professionally with supervisors, employees, and others individually or in a team environment
• Perform work safely and effectively. Understand and follow oral and written instructions, including warning signs, equipment use, and other policies.
• Work during normal operating hours to organize and complete work within given deadlines. Work overtime and weekends as required.
• May work at various different locations and conditions may vary
• Openings are to fill both existing vacancies and newly created positions

Base Compensation: 170 – 210 K CAD / year

(Actual compensation is subject to variation due to such factors as education, experience, skillset, and/or location)

We offer our fulltime staff employees a comprehensive benefits package that’s among the best in our industry, including top-tier medical, dental and vision plans covering eligible employees and dependents, voluntary wellness and employee assistance programs, life insurance, disability, retirement plans with matching, and generous paid time off.

We believe in equal opportunity in employment practices without discriminationand complywith all laws regarding human rights in the provinces where we operate.

There’s no limit to what you’ll do at Kiewit. Whether you’re building or supporting projects that provide communities with dependable energy, safe transportation, clean water, or access to health care, the work you do will positively impact people’s lives for generations to come.

Here you’ll have endless opportunities to expand your expertise through on-the-job experience and internal and external training and development opportunities.

We offer our full-time staff employees a comprehensive benefits package that’s among the best in our industry. From top-tier health care programs to employee assistance programs and retirement planning, we aim to provide you with the tools you need to be successful in the areas of life that matter most.

Kiewit is an equal-opportunity employer, and we believe a diverse workforce is vital to the success of our business. We continue our efforts to attract, develop and retain employees from all backgrounds who are passionate about our industry.

We are committed to veteran and military hiring and will consider relevant military experience as equivalent to qualification requirements.