Product Lead Engineer

Polar-Racking; Mississauga; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Benefits package

Career growth

Job summary

Polar Racking Inc. in Mississauga, ON, is seeking a Product Lead Engineer to own the design, performance, and continuous improvement of the solar carport product line.

This hands-on role combines leadership with detailed structural engineering, from concept through certification to manufacturing. You will drive VAVE initiatives, set design standards, review shop drawings, coordinate with sales and production, and ensure code compliance across US and Canada.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Structural, Civil, or Mechanical Engineering.
• Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng.) license, or ability to obtain licensure.
• 5+ years of structural engineering experience, ideally including racking, canopy, carport, or similar steel structure design.
• Demonstrated, hands-on VAVE (Value Analysis / Value Engineering) experience with measurable cost or performance outcomes.
• Strong working knowledge of relevant structural codes (ASCE 7, AISC 360, CSA S16, NBCC, IBC) and wind/snow/seismic load analysis.
• Proficiency with structural analysis and design software (e.g., RISA, SAP2000, STAAD, or similar) and FEA tools.
• Experience with CAD/BIM tools (AutoCAD, Inventor, Revit, or SolidWorks).
• Proven ability to lead a design effort end-to-end and take ownership of a product's success.

Responsibilities

• Lead the engineering vision for the solar carport product line from concept through production release.
• Manage multiple projects, prioritizing across a live portfolio.
• Define and drive the product roadmap in partnership with sales, operations, and manufacturing.
• Set structural design standards, tolerances, and quality benchmarks.
• Act as technical owner for customers, reviewing requirements and presenting designs.
• Translate concepts into shop drawings and BOMs with designers/drafters.
• Travel to project sites 5–10% for validation and field support.
• Carry out structural calculations, FEA, and connection design.
• Coordinate with external engineers of record across USA and Canada.

Skills

PE / P.Eng licensure

5+ years structural engineering

VAVE / Value Engineering

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Structural/Civil/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Inventor

Revit

SolidWorks

SAP2000 / RISA / STAAD

Job description

Engineering Full Time Mississauga, ON $90,000 - $120,000 CAD per year

Polar Racking Inc. is a trusted leader in the design, engineering, and manufacturing of innovative solar mounting solutions, proudly serving customers across North America. At Polar Racking, we are committed to delivering high-performance, site‑specific solar mounting systems that empower our clients to harness clean energy with confidence. Our collaborative approach combines cutting‑edge technology, expert engineering, and a customer‑first mindset to provide tailored racking products that meet the unique demands of each project. With a passion for sustainability and excellence, we work hand‑in‑hand with construction and engineering professionals to bring solar visions to life. Learn more at www.polarracking.com .

Polar Racking Inc. is looking for aProduct Lead Engineerto own and drive the design, performance, and continuous improvement of our solar carport product line. This is a hands‑on structural engineering leadership role for someone who wants to build the best solar carport system in the industry — from concept through structural certification to cost‑optimized manufacturing.

You will be the technical owner of the solar carport product: setting the engineering direction, leading cross‑functional design efforts, and applying rigorous Value Analysis / Value Engineering (VAVE) discipline to maximize performance while driving down cost and complexity. This role suits a structural engineer who is equally comfortable running detailed calculations and rallying a team around an ambitious product vision.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the engineering lead and technical owner for the solar carport product line, from concept through production release.
• Lead both ongoing projects and new project development simultaneously, prioritizing effectively across a live project portfolio.
• Define and drive the product roadmap in partnership with sales, operations, and manufacturing to keep Polar's carport offering ahead of competitors.
• Set structural design standards, tolerances, and quality benchmarks for the product family.
• Serve as the primary technical point of contact for customers on carport projects — reviewing requirements, answering technical questions, and presenting design solutions.
• Work closely with designers/drafters to translate structural concepts into detailed, buildable drawings and BOMs.
• Travel to project sites as needed (approximately 5–10%) to support design validation, installation support, and troubleshooting.
• Design and analyze steel/aluminum solar carport structures, including columns, beams, cantilevers, and foundations, for wind, snow, seismic, and dead/live loads per applicable codes (ASCE 7, AISC, CSA S16, NBCC, local jurisdictional requirements).
• Perform and review structural calculations, finite element analysis (FEA), and connection design.
• Oversee Professional Engineer (PE/P.Eng.) stamped drawings and coordinate with third‑party engineers‑of‑record as needed across USA and Canada jurisdictions.
• Ensure designs are buildable, code‑compliant, and optimized for real‑world installation conditions.

VAVE & Cost Optimization

• Lead Value Analysis / Value Engineering initiatives to reduce material usage, simplify fabrication, and lower installed cost without compromising structural performance or durability.
• Continuously benchmark designs against competitors and identify opportunities to improve strength‑to‑weight ratio, part count, and manufacturability.
• Partner with procurement and manufacturing to evaluate alternative materials, coatings, and fabrication methods.

Design Leadership & Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Lead the end‑to‑end design process, coordinating with drafters, manufacturing engineers, project managers, and installation teams.
• Champion Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles throughout development.
• Review and approve shop drawings, BOMs, and installation guides.
• Support sales and pre‑construction teams with technical input on bids and custom site configurations.
• Drive prototyping, load testing, and field validation of new designs and revisions.
• Investigate and resolve field issues, feeding lessons learned back into the design standard.
• Stay current on industry codes, competitor products, and emerging solar mounting technology.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree inStructural, Civil, or Mechanical Engineering.
• Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng.) license, or ability to obtain licensure, required.
• 5+ years of structural engineering experience, ideally including racking, canopy, carport, or similar steel structure design.
• Demonstrated, hands‑onVAVE (Value Analysis / Value Engineering)experience with measurable cost or performance outcomes.
• Strong working knowledge of relevant structural codes (ASCE 7, AISC 360, CSA S16, NBCC, IBC) and wind/snow/seismic load analysis.
• Proficiency with structural analysis and design software (e.g., RISA, SAP2000, STAAD, or similar) and FEA tools.
• Experience with CAD/BIM tools (AutoCAD, Inventor, Revit, or SolidWorks).
• Proven ability to lead a design effort end‑to‑end and take ownership of a product's success.
• Highly motivated, detail‑oriented, and comfortable operating with a high degree of autonomy and accountability.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to translate technical detail for non-technical stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with solar carport, ground‑mount racking, or parking structure design.
• Familiarity with galvanized/coated steel and aluminum extrusion design considerations.
• Experience working across both US and Canadian codes and jurisdictions.
• Background in DFM/DFA and lean manufacturing principles.
• Experience managing external EOR (Engineer of Record) relationships and permitting processes.

What Success Looks Like

• Polar's solar carport product is recognized in the industry for structural efficiency, ease of installation, and total installed cost.
• A steady cadence of VAVE‑driven improvements measurably reduces cost and material usage year over year.
• Design issues are caught and resolved before they reach the field; field issues are rare and quickly closed out.
• Cross‑functional teams look to you as the clear technical authority and driving force behind the product.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary, bonus and benefits package.
• Opportunity to lead innovative projects in the growing renewable energy industry.
• Collaborative and supportive team environment with access to cutting‑edge tools and technology.
• Career growth potential within a dynamic, forward‑thinking company.

Polar Racking Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment /for all employees.