Principal Waste-to-Energy Engineer

WSP USA; Toronto; On-site; CAD 135,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP is seeking a Principal Waste-to-Energy Engineer in Canada. You will provide technical leadership across the project lifecycle to convert waste streams into valuable energy products, supporting feasibility, design, construction, and operations.

You will mentor teams, shape process designs, and guide technology integration while engaging clients, regulators, and project partners to deliver innovative energy recovery solutions.

Qualifications

• Fifteen plus years in engineering, operations, or project delivery within energy/industrial sectors.
• Over ten years of direct Waste-to-Energy or related heavy thermal facilities experience.
• Deep knowledge of thermal and biological waste conversion technologies and process integration.
• Experience with process design reviews and evaluation of major power-generation equipment.
• Familiarity with permitting, environmental compliance and emissions regulations.
• Ability to lead complex multidisciplinary engineering work and provide sound judgement.
• Proven track record building client relationships and supporting growth initiatives.
• Strong mentoring and clear communication of complex concepts to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical delivery of Waste-to-Energy projects from feasibility to operation.
• Shape process designs by reviewing mass/energy balances and P&ID diagrams.
• Guide selection and integration of thermal/biological waste technologies.
• Evaluate feedstock handling, boilers, turbines, gas cleaning, and energy recovery equipment.
• Advance innovative solutions to improve plant performance and compliance.
• Lead technical aspects of pursuits, proposals, and due diligence reviews.
• Partner with clients, technology providers, and municipalities to grow the practice.
• Mentor multidisciplinary teams with oversight and performance testing.

Skills

Waste-to-Energy

Biomass power

Thermal processes

Process simulation

Emissions control

Leadership

Client relationships

Mentoring teams

Education

Engineering degree

P.Eng or equivalent

Tools

Process simulation software

Thermal modelling tools

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.

We are the home of ambitious, passionate, and innovative world shapers.

With an unmatched breadth and depth of engineering, advisory and science‑based expertise, our global minds unite to power local solutions.

We are pathfinders and impact makers.

We are Visioneers.

We are WSP

The Opportunity

Build the Future With Us

Turn complex waste streams into opportunities for cleaner energy and a more circular future. As a Principal Waste-to-Energy Engineer, you will provide technical leadership across the project lifecycle, helping clients develop and deliver solutions that convert municipal, industrial, agricultural, biomass, and organic waste into valuable energy products.

You will serve as a subject matter expert and trusted client advisor within WSP's Energy, Resources and Industrial team, supporting projects from feasibility and technology selection through detailed design, construction, commissioning, optimization, and operational improvement.

Your Impact

• Lead the technical delivery of Waste-to-Energy and energy recovery projects from feasibility and concept development through commissioning and operations.
• Shape process designs by leading reviews of mass and energy balances, process flow diagrams, piping and instrumentation diagrams, and system integration.
• Guide the selection and integration of thermal, biological, and advanced waste conversion technologies, including combustion, gasification, pyrolysis, anaerobic digestion, fermentation, and hydrolysis.
• Evaluate major process and power-generation equipment, including feedstock handling, boilers, turbines, gas cleaning and emissions control systems, digesters, and energy recovery equipment.
• Advance innovative solutions that improve plant performance, reliability, efficiency, environmental compliance, and resource recovery.
• Lead technical aspects of strategic pursuits, proposals, feasibility studies, owner's engineering assignments, due diligence reviews, and independent engineering engagements.
• Partne r with clients, technology providers, developers, utilities, municipalities, financial institutions, and industrial organizations to identify opportunities and grow the Waste-to-Energy practice.
• Mentor multidisciplinary engineering teams while providing technical oversight, quality reviews, commissioning support, troubleshooting, performance testing, and facility optimization.

The Skills That Set You Apart

• 15+ years of experience in engineering, operations, technology development, consulting, or project delivery within the energy, industrial, or process sectors.
• 10+ years of direct experience with Waste-to-Energy, biomass power generation, renewable fuels, anaerobic digestion, waste processing, or other heavy thermal industrial facilities.
• Deep understanding of thermal and biological waste conversion technologies, including steam cycles, heat recovery, combustion, gasification, anaerobic digestion, emissions control, and process integration.
• Experience with process simulation and thermal modelling tools, process design reviews, and the specification and evaluation of major process and power-generation equipment.
• Knowledge of permitting, environmental compliance, industrial emissions regulations, and the integration of Waste-to-Energy facilities with existing industrial, utility, district energy, or process facilities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex multidisciplinary engineering work, provide sound engineering judgement, and develop practical and innovative technical solutions.
• Proven experience building client and industry relationships, supporting business development, strategic growth initiatives, pursuits, and capture planning.
• Strong ability to mentor technical talent and communicate complex engineering concepts clearly to clients, regulators, contractors, vendors, and multidisciplinary teams

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.

#WeAreWSP

Compensation

AB, BC, NT, NU, SK & YT: $147,500 - $195,400

MB & ON: $134,600 - $184,600

NB, NL, NS, PE & QC: $133,200 - $176,900

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.

Make Your Mark

Bring your Waste-to-Energy expertise to projects that turn today’s waste challenges into tomorrow’s energy solutions. Apply today and help shape practical, innovative solutions that advance energy recovery, resource efficiency, and a more sustainable future.

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 (https://www.wsp.com/en-ca/corporate/ca/health-safety) .

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 (https://www.wsp.com/en-ca/careers/notice-to-staffing-agencies) .