Senior Systems Design Engineer

NES Fircroft; Waterloo; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering staffing provider is seeking a Senior Systems Design Engineer specializing in the nuclear sector. You will act as the technical leader, driving the design and execution of complex systems to meet regulatory requirements. Candidates should be experienced engineers with strong backgrounds in machine design, controls, and problem-solving, ready to take on a pivotal role in pioneering engineering solutions.

Qualifications

• 10 years of experience in engineering design and qualification of custom machinery or systems.
• 5 years of experience in nuclear tooling/equipment with field deployment experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Plan, execute, and monitor system design and development.
• Prepare and maintain design plans, define team responsibilities.
• Lead technical reviews with internal teams and customers.

Skills

Machine design and build

Machine controls

Structured problem-solving

Statistical analysis

Precision engineering

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Mechatronics, Systems Design, Electrical, or Computer Engineering

P.Eng. designation in Ontario preferred

Job description

Senior Systems Design Engineer – Nuclear

As the senior systems engineer, you are the driving technical force behind problem-solving efforts. You will work closely with the customer, project manager, and internal design, assembly, and software teams to develop solutions that meet complex technical and regulatory requirements. You will thrive as a technical leader by wearing three hats:

1. Subject Matter Expert – Understanding the customer’s technology and process to become the go-to expert on the system.
   
   
2. Requirements Owner – Defining, documenting, and verifying system requirements and ensuring clarity throughout the design process.
   
   
3. Technical Leader – Guiding the system from concept to launch, managing technical risks, and driving improvements in quality, cost, and delivery.
   
   

Your ability to design, execute, solve problems, and collaborate effectively will be essential to the team’s success.

Specific Responsibilities Subject Matter Expertise

• Learn the customer process and become the local expert to support design, fabrication, integration, testing, and commissioning of equipment and systems.
  
  
• Take engineering responsibility for component- and system-level analysis, including:
  
  
  • Structural integrity
    
    
  • Functional performance (e.g., force, stroke, speed, pressure/flow, accuracy, repeatability, cycle time, reliability)
    
    
  • Environmental compatibility (e.g., pressure, temperature, radiation, seismic)
    
    
  • Compliance with relevant codes and standards
    
    
• Prepare or review technical documents such as:
  
  
  • Failure Modes and Effects Analyses (FMEAs)
    
    
  • Safety Risk Assessments
    
    
  • ALARA reports
    
    
  • Installation/commissioning plans
    
    
  • Sequence diagrams and execution flowcharts
    
    
  • Operating and maintenance manuals
    
    

Requirements Definition and Verification

• Ensure design requirements are well-documented and traceable.
  
  
• Interpret and cascade customer and industry requirements, including applicable codes and standards.
  
  
• Prepare and review technical specifications for vendors of process-critical equipment.
  
  
• Develop verification plans (e.g., Verification Matrices) to track compliance.
  
  
• Perform requirement verification through:
  
  
  • Drawing/specification reviews
    
    
  • Calculations/simulations
    
    
  • Testing (POP, DVT, FAT, SAT)
    
    
• Plan and lead acceptance testing, ensuring resources, test setups, and customer collaboration are in place.
  
  

Project Technical Leadership

• Plan, execute, and monitor system design and development.
  
  
• Prepare and maintain design plans, define team responsibilities, and track progress.
  
  
• Lead and participate in technical reviews with internal teams, customers, and vendors.
  
  
• Identify and manage technical risk early in the design phase through CTRAs and other risk mitigation strategies.
  
  
• Oversee and assess process-critical third-party vendors to ensure compliance with requirements, budget, and schedule.
  
  

Additional Responsibilities

• Communicate time/resource estimates to department and project managers.
  
  
• Ensure compliance with applicable engineering codes, standards, and best practices.
  
  
• Support department-level continuous improvement efforts and standards development.
  
  
• Assume engineering responsibility for work as defined by PEO guidelines.
  
  
• Mentor junior engineers within the department.
  
  
• Support quoting activities by developing design concepts and labor estimates.
  
  
• Provide design support for CSA B51 and CSA N285.0 pressure boundary components.
  
  
• Comply with CSA N299, B51, N285, and NQA quality requirements per relevant QA manuals.
  
  
• Be willing to work as a Nuclear Energy Worker (NEW), including site work in radioactive environments.
  
  
• Conduct all business activities with the highest ethical standards and in accordance with the company’s Code of Business Conduct.
  
  
• Perform other duties and special projects as required.
  
  

Qualifications Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Mechatronics, Systems Design, Electrical, or Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics, Engineering Science, or equivalent.
  
  
• P.Eng. designation in Ontario preferred.
  
  

Experience

• 10 years of experience in engineering design and qualification of custom machinery, systems, or equipment.
  
  
• 5 years of experience in nuclear tooling/equipment development and testing, ideally with field deployment experience.
  
  
• Deep understanding of:
  
  
  • Machine design and build
    
    
  • Machine controls
    
    
  • Structured problem-solving
    
    
  • Statistical analysis
    
    
  • Precision engineering
    
    
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  
  
• Proven ability to lead or work collaboratively within multi-disciplinary project teams.
  
  

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining andManufacturingsectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.