Principal Electrical Engineer

Dayforce; Beamsville; On-site; CAD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Dayforce is seeking an experienced Principal Electrical Engineer to lead MV/HV substation design and power systems projects in Canada. You will oversee technical direction, client management, and mentoring of engineering teams to ensure high-quality delivery.

The role requires a strong leadership background, extensive experience in electrical power systems, and familiarity with industry standards. You will drive technical excellence and contribute to ongoing business development while

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, diploma, or MSc in Electrical Engineering, specializing in Electrical Power Systems.
• PEO Membership / P.Eng. designation required.
• 15+ years’ experience in electrical power systems engineering and MV/HV substation design.
• Familiar with electrical codes and standards; understand Hydro One, IESO and NPCC connection requirements.
• Proven leadership experience in engineering supervision, management, and administration.
• Strong project management background in the electrical power industry.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and client relationship management skills.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001 quality standards and engineering best practices.
• Experience in Business Development would be a strong asset.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage projects within the electrical power systems discipline, ensuring delivery on time and within budget.
• Define the conceptual design of substations and oversee development of substation designs including drawings and BOMs.
• Develop control and trip logic diagrams, relay protection settings and files.
• Perform or oversee power system studies including load flows, loss analysis, harmonics analysis, short circuit and stability analysis.
• Oversee grounding system analysis and design using SafeGrid.
• Direct the overall design of substation communication systems.
• Prepare technical specifications for major electrical equipment.
• Direct, supervise, and mentor Project Managers, Project Engineers, and support staff.
• Develop, implement, and maintain company technical standards for engineers and designers.
• Organize project teams and monitor performance to ensure success.
• Review RFPs, assess risks, prepare proposals, schedules, and man-hour estimates.
• Optimize resource use across projects.
• Ensure compliance with QMS and ISO 9001.
• Maintain client relationships and address feedback.
• Participate in performance evaluations and team development.
• Foster collaboration and strong communication across project teams.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Client relationships

Communication

Quality standards

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Diploma or MSc in Electrical Engineering

Job description

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Principal Electrical Engineer to lead and oversee complex electrical power system projects, with a strong focus on MV/HV substation design and power systems engineering. Reporting to the Director of Design Services, this leadership role will play a critical part in project execution, technical oversight, client management, and mentoring engineering teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage projects within the electrical power systems discipline, ensuring successful delivery on time and within budget.
• Defines the conceptual design of substations and oversees and directs the development and preparation of substation designs including single line diagrams, three-line diagrams, DC and AC control schematics, connection wiring diagrams, cable schedules, and raceway layouts, including cable trays, duct banks, cable trenches and bill of materials.
• Develops control and trip logic diagrams, relay protection settings and relay configuration files.
• Undertakes or directs electrical power system studies including load flows, loss analysis, reactive compensation, short circuit, stability, and harmonics analysis; carries out power system protection coordination studies including production of inverse time curves, and arc flash hazard analysis studies using software such as ETAP and PSCAD
• Performs or oversees the development of grounding system analysis and design using SafeGrid.
• Develops and directs the overall design of substation communication systems.
• Prepares technical specifications for major electrical equipment in accordance with Customer requirements and the latest appropriate applicable standards.
• Direct, supervise, and mentor Project Managers, Project Engineers, and support staff.
• Develop, implement, and maintain company technical standards for engineers and designers.
• Organize project teams effectively and monitor team performance to ensure project success.
• Review Requests for Proposals (RFPs), assess risks and benefits, and recommend go/no-go strategies. Prepare or oversee proposals, project schedules, and man-hour estimates to meet client and financial requirements.
• Optimize the use of human and equipment resources across projects.
• Ensure compliance with the company’s Quality Management System (QMS) and ISO 9001 standards.
• Maintain strong client relationships, gather customer feedback, and resolve concerns effectively.
• Participate in annual performance evaluations and support team development.
• Foster collaboration, strong communication, and conflict resolution across project teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, diploma, or MSc. in Electrical Engineering, specializing in Electrical Power Systems.
• PEO Membership / P.Eng. designation required.
• 15+ years’ experience in electrical power systems engineering and MV/HV substation design.
• Must be familiar with electrical codes and standards. Must also be familiar with the connection requirements of Hydro One, IESO and NPCC.
• Proven leadership experience in engineering supervision, management, and administration.
• Strong project management background in the electrical power industry.
• Exceptional communication, organizational, and client relationship management skills.
• Strong understanding of ISO 9001 quality standards and engineering best practices.
• Knowledge and/or experience in Business Development (would be considered a strong asset).