Principal Geotechnical Engineer

Mott MacDonald; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 152,000 - 186,000; Full time

Job summary

Mott MacDonald in Toronto is seeking an accomplished Principal Geotechnical Engineer to strengthen our Canadian Geotechnical Group. You will provide technical leadership for major transportation and heavy civil projects and guide geotechnical engineers within multidisciplinary teams.

The ideal candidate has extensive experience as an Engineer of Record, a PE in Ontario, and deep knowledge of local ground conditions, foundations, and applicable codes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in geotechnical engineering or related field; a master's degree is considered an asset.
• 15 years of progressive geotechnical engineering with a strong focus on transportation, infrastructure, heavy civil, and energy projects.
• Registration as a professional Engineer in Ontario.
• Extensive experience with local ground conditions in Toronto and knowledge of local ground engineering solutions.
• Registration or qualifications required to obtain RAQS for medium-complexity geotechnical engineering and/or tunnelling is preferred.
• Experience in deep foundations, multiple piling methods, and shallow foundations for buildings and bridges.
• Knowledge of the Canadian Foundation Engineering Manual, CSA standards, NBC, and the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code.

Responsibilities

• Build trusted relationships with internal teams and clients to support growth of the geotechnical team.
• Perform and oversee analyses, calculations, and designs for shallow and deep foundations, ground improvement, retaining structures, and slope stability.
• Develop requirements and oversee ground exploration programs to characterize ground conditions.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary professionals to advance project outcomes.
• Prepare clear technical memoranda, reports, and specifications communicating complex engineering work.
• Supervise, coordinate, and review the work of geotechnical engineers and provide technical support.
• Lead pursuit, planning, design, and construction delivery of geotechnical projects.
• Oversee project planning to ensure safety, schedule, and budget compliance.
• Provide project management and mentoring to maintain high quality and accountability.
• Lead proposals and geotechnical submissions for infrastructure opportunities.
• Lead design teams and manage resources to meet schedules and budgets.
• Engage with the Ontario geotechnical community, especially GTHA.
• Champion quality, safety, and continuous learning within the team.

Job description

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At Mott MacDonald, we are driven by purpose and powered by brilliant people. As a trusted engineering, management, and development consultancy, we work with clients to solve complex challenges and deliver sustainable outcomes that make a meaningful difference for the communities we serve.

When you join us as an experienced professional, you will bring your expertise to work that matters while continuing to grow your career. You will collaborate with talented colleagues across disciplines and geographies, contribute your perspective, and help shape better outcomes through technical excellence, innovation, and integrity.

Build on your experience while helping shape what comes next. At Mott MacDonald, you'll work alongside talented people on complex and rewarding projects that make a real difference. We value fresh perspectives, encourage collaboration, and provide opportunities to expand your skills, take on new challenges, and grow your career. Whether you're deepening your technical expertise, broadening your leadership experience, or exploring new opportunities across our business, you'll be supported by a team that is committed to helping you succeed.

We are seeking an accomplished and motivated Principal Geotechnical Engineer to strengthen our Canadian Geotechnical Group in Toronto.

As Engineer of Record (EOR), you will provide technical leadership and oversight to geotechnical engineers working within multidisciplinary project teams. You will help shape the design, delivery, and long-term performance of major transportation, bridge, and heavy civil infrastructure across North America. Your expertise in foundation engineering, ground-structure interaction, and geotechnical risk assessment will be central to delivering safe, practical, and resilient solutions.

As a Principal Geotechnical Engineer, your responsibilities will include:

• Build trusted relationships with internal teams and external clients, identify emerging opportunities, and support growth of the geotechnical team.
• Perform and oversee technical analyses, calculations, and designs for shallow and deep foundations, ground improvement, retaining structures, slope stability, seismic assessments, and seepage studies.
• Develop the requirements and oversee ground exploration programs to characterize the ground conditions and develop effective ground engineering solutions/ recommendations.
• Collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary professionals, clients, contractors, and other third parties to advance project outcomes.
• Prepare clear, high-quality technical memoranda, reports, and specifications that communicate complex engineering work effectively.
• Supervise, coordinate, and review the work of geotechnical engineers, including technical reports, engineering drawings, cost estimates, specifications, contract documents, and construction-phase technical support.
• Lead the pursuit, planning, design, and construction delivery of a diverse portfolio of geotechnical projects.
• Oversee project planning and delivery to ensure work is fit for purpose, completed safely, and delivered on schedule and within budget.
• Provide project management and technical oversight while providing technical mentoring to team members and fostering high standards of quality, professionalism, and accountability.
• Lead proposal development and prepare compelling geotechnical submissions for a range of infrastructure opportunities.
• Lead design teams and plan and manage resources to deliver assignments in accordance with agreed schedules and budgets.
• Actively engage with the geotechnical community in Ontario, particularly across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA).
• Champion quality, safety, technical excellence, and continuous learning within a collaborative team environment.

The ideal candidate is a thoughtful and versatile technical leader who can guide engineering teams and translate simple and complex geotechnical challenges into practical, constructible solutions.

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• You will have a track record as acting as an Engineer of Record (EOR) providing technical leadership and oversight to geotechnical engineers working within multidisciplinary project teams
• .A bachelor's degree in geotechnical engineering or a closely related discipline; a master's degree is considered an asset
• 15 years of progressive geotechnical engineering (excluding educationand academia) and, with a strong technical focus on transportation, infrastructure, heavy civil, and energy projects.
• Registration as a professional Engineer in Ontario
• Extensive first-hand experience of the local ground conditions in Toronto and proven knowledge of local ground engineering solutions/techniques. Experience on reclaimed land would be a bonus.
• Registration or the qualifications and experience required to obtain registration in MTO's Registry, Appraisal and Qualification System (RAQS) for medium-complexity geotechnical engineering and/or tunnelling categories is preferred.
• Extensive design and construction experience for below-ground construction, deep foundation systems, including multiple piling methods, and shallow foundations for buildings and bridges. Experience collaborating closely with structural engineers to develop integrated foundation solutions, together with expertise in earthquake engineering and performance-based design.
• A strong record of taking responsibility for providing geotechnical recommendations and input for complex structures, with working knowledge of the Canadian Foundation Engineering Manual, applicable CSA standards, the National Building Code of Canada, and the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code. Experience across design-bid-build and alternative delivery models, such as P3 and design-build, is also beneficial.

Bring your expertise, curiosity, and drive to make a difference. If you are ready to join a collaborative consultancy where your perspective is valued, your growth is supported, and you are empowered to lead with integrity, we would love to hear from you.

Benefits & Rewards

The expected salary range for this position is from $152,000 - $186,000.

Multiple factors such as qualifications, overall experience, and position responsibilities will be used to determine the successful candidate's actual salary within the expected range.

In addition to base salary, Mott MacDonald offers performance-based bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package, giving employees a direct connection to our success.

The comprehensive benefits and rewards package is designed to support your health, wellbeing, and professional growth. Eligible employees have access to health and dental coverage, wellness resources, retirement savings, insurance and disability protection, paid time off, family leave support, and professional development opportunities. Benefits are subject to eligibility, plan terms, and change.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

Collaboration at Our Core

At Mott MacDonald, we believe great ideas happen when we're together. Our hybrid approach centers on an in-office culture, with most of your time spent collaborating face-to-face and a minimum of three days per week in the office. We balance flexibility with connection, so you and your manager can choose how to meet clients, team, and personal commitments.

We seek to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they have the opportunity to contribute.

We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to providing employment accommodation in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA). Mott MacDonald Canada Limited will provide accommodations to job applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodations, please notify us and we will work with you to meet your needs.