Senior Engineer (Water Services)

Region of Waterloo; Canada; On-site; CAD 115,000 - 144,000; Full time

Job summary

Region of Waterloo is seeking a licensed Professional Engineer to lead planning, design and delivery of large-scale municipal water and wastewater projects within the Engineering and Environmental Services division.

You will chair project teams, manage scopes, schedules and multi-million dollar budgets, supervise staff and contractors, and represent the Region at meetings with municipalities, consultants and the public. Ontario licensure is required (PEO).

Qualifications

• Engineering degree and PEO licensure required.
• Experience leading municipal engineering projects.
• Ability to travel within Waterloo Region and manage complex contracts.

Responsibilities

• Plans, designs, manages and authorizes engineering services for large-scale projects.
• Develops schedules and budgets (up to multi-million).
• Chairs project teams and leads public meetings and stakeholder consultations.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Budgeting

Communication

Contract management

Public meetings

Technical guidance

Team leadership

Education

Engineering degree (BEng/BASc)

Professional Engineer license (Ontario)

Tools

Microsoft Office

CAD software

Project management software

Job description

Job Number: 5022Job Type:Full-TimeVacancy Reason: BackfillLocation: 2069 Ottawa St S - Mannheim Water Treatment PlantJob Category: EngineeringNumber of Positions:1Department: Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition and SystemsDivision: Engineering and Environmental ServicesHours of Work: 35Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:30am - 4:30pmUnion: Management/Management SupportGrade: Management/Management Support Grade 08Salary Range: $114,860.20 - $143,579.80 annuallyPosting Date: October 20, 2026 at 12:00amClosing Date: October 26, 2026 at 11:59pm.About Us!The Region of Waterloo is a thriving, diverse community committed to fostering opportunities for current and future generations. Waterloo Region is part of the Dish with One Spoon wampum, a treaty guiding our commitment to:

• Taking only what we need
• Leaving some for others
• Keeping the dish clean

This agreement underpins our vision, mission, and core value, and reinforces our dedication to meaningful reconciliation and equity. Waterloo Region is home to over 674,000 residents and expected to grow to nearly one million by 2051. Guided by our 2023-2027 Strategic Plan , “Growing with Care,” we prioritize homes for all, climate aligned growth, equitable services and opportunities and a resilient and future ready organization. Our mission is to provide essential services that enhance the quality of life for all residents, while our core value emphasizes caring for people and the land we share. Join us and be part of a team dedicated to making a meaningful difference in our community.

The Role

Plans, designs, manages, and authorizes the provision of engineering services, operations, and assets in the Division for large scale, high profile/complex/politically sensitive projects, including engineering planning, asset management, environmental assessments, master planning, waste water and water maintenance.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Chairs project teams on high profile/complex projects. Establishes project scope and requirements. Takes full responsibility for project from conception to completion. Work is checked periodically for end result. Resolves new/unusual problems or recommends solutions in consultation with supervisor.
• Conducts assessments and studies required for large-scale project planning and optimization projects.
• Designs capital projects that are high profile/complex/politically sensitive, involving multi-disciplinary engineering areas/activities.
• Develops and manages schedules and budgets (up to multi-million).
• Identifies need for and manages property transactions access agreements and approvals, involving multiple stakeholders.
• Supervises Engineering & Planning Coordinators (Water), a Water Analyst (Asset Management) engineers and engineering interns, as assigned; provides guidance to same. Directs technical and survey staff on design projects and in preparing final contract drawings. Assigns work to clerical, survey, and drafting staff on in-house projects and provides technical direction to construction inspectors and survey crews. Provides direction, guidance and performance evaluation to consulting engineers, with input into their hiring and dismissal.
• Participates in the training, development and mentoring of engineers and engineering interns.
• Administers contracts. Interprets documents with contractors. Authorizes payments, changes and extra work. Negotiates claims, disputes and payments.
• Develops contracts and procures goods and services. Manages and negotiates work plans and budgets with consultants. Approves invoices.
• Negotiates and obtains approvals (e.g., Municipal, Ministry).
• Visits construction sites to assess quality and progress of work. Ensures work is completed per contract documents and legislation.
• Chairs/conducts public meetings and consultations as the project lead. Responds to public complaints regarding high profile/complex/politically sensitive projects.
• Assumes professional engineering responsibility for work within professional scope of practice including application of a professional seal and signature, if required.
• Provides broad technical subject matter expertise.
• Provides input for the ten-year capital program and operating budgets.
• Writes/reviews technical reports.
• Writes and presents reports to Committees and Council.
• Represents the Region in dealings (e.g., negotiations, agreements, cost‑sharing, approvals, tribunals) with stakeholders including area municipalities, elected officials, utility companies, federal and provincial Ministries, the media, and public.
• Collaborates with Regional staff, including IT, Legal Services, Planning, and Finance to deliver projects and resolve issues.
• Leads studies and research initiatives by partnering with academic institutions or other organizations; liaises with researchers.
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of municipal engineering, normally acquired through a degree in engineering or applied science, plus progressively responsible related experience in a municipal or project management environment (or an equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Must be licensed and in good standing as a Professional Engineer in the Province of Ontario, or be a member in good standing holding a Limited License in the area of practice(s), issued by the PEO. For those trained outside of Canada, equivalency will be determined by the PEO. Participates in activities to maintain professional license.
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with corporate policies and procedures, related legislation (e.g., Occupational Health and Safety Act, Construction Lien Act, Environmental Protection Act, Environmental Assessment Act, Safe Drinking Water Act), Ontario Provincial Standards, Canadian Standards, Ministry guidelines, contract law, and engineering standards.
• Ability to work independently on concurrent projects (consulting with senior staff/supervisor as applicable); review decisions/problems with Regional/political sensitivity with management; explore project alternatives individually/as part of a project team; and make recommendations on improvements to existing contract and engineering standards and procedures.
• Computer skills with ability to use software such as Microsoft Office, computer aided design, specialized systems, and computer models.
• Communication and human relation skills to direct and guide contractors, consultants and staff; coordinate and negotiate project requirements; prepare and present written and visual materials for public drop-in centres, open houses and formal public meetings according to the EA approval process and Act; conduct presentations to Committees, area municipalities and Councils; hold open houses and formal meetings for the media and public; respond to public inquiries; and participate as an effective team member.
• Ability to write project correspondence, reports, contracts, agreements and project definition reports for contractors, consultants, committees, Regional and area municipal Councils, staff, media and the public where applicable. Ability to read and interpret policy and procedure manuals, engineering and technical journals, design specifications, contracts, reports, legal documents, and memos.
• Ability to travel within Waterloo Region.
• Ability to adjust hours to attend open houses and deal with emergencies.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.

Region of Waterloo is committed to building a workforce through fair, equitable, and accessible hiring practices that allow us to hire qualified staff who reflect the diversity of the community we serve and to promote a respectful, inclusive, and equitable workplace.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and actively encourage applications from members of groups with historical and/or current barriers to equity, including, but not limited to:

• First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, and all other Indigenous peoples;
• members of groups that commonly experience discrimination due to race, ancestry, religion and/or spiritual beliefs, or place of origin;
• persons with visible and/or invisible (physical and/or mental) disabilities;
• persons who identify as women; and persons of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions

For questions or to request accommodations during your recruitment, onboarding or employment, please contact [e-mail] , or by calling our Service First Contact Centre at phone number [phone].

Region of Waterloo may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to enhance efficiency during the recruitment process. However, applications will also be reviewed by a member of our Talent Acquisition team to ensure a fair and thorough assessment. AI does not make final hiring decisions.