Structural Engineer

Primary; Burnaby, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg; Hybrid; CAD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Primary is seeking a Structural Engineer to help electrify the grid, designing transmission and distribution structures, foundations, and supporting civil components for the utility network. You’ll lead design deliverables, analysis, and documentation for projects spanning construction sites and substations.

This role offers remote work options for the right candidate and opportunities to mentor junior engineers, collaborate with cross‑functional teams, and build enduring client relationships

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering from an accredited university.
• Registered or eligible for registration as a Professional Engineer in Canada.
• Minimum 6–8 years of relevant structural engineering experience, preferably in electrical utility or infrastructure sectors.
• Experience with transmission line, distribution, and substation structural design and foundations.
• Familiarity with Canadian structural codes and standards (NBCC, CSA).
• Experience with structural analysis software (STAAD.Pro, SAP2000, RISA, PLS-POLE/TOWER) is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Lead the structural design and engineering of utility infrastructure, including transmission/distribution structures and substations.
• Prepare and oversee drawings, calculations, specifications, reports, and construction details.
• Perform analyses for steel, concrete, wood, and other utility structures and foundations.
• Develop designs for overhead transmission/distribution facilities and substations.
• Mentor and direct engineers, designers, and drafters to ensure quality and consistency.
• Build and maintain client relationships and coordinate with utilities and contractors.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Autonomy

Mentoring junior engineers

Client relationships

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering

Tools

STAAD.Pro

SAP2000

RISA

PLS-POLE

PLS-TOWER

Job description

Are you ready to electrify your career and help shape the grid of tomorrow?

At Primarywe aren’t just keeping the lights on, we are engineering the high-voltage backbone of a cleaner, smarter, and more resilient energy future. As a Structural Engineer, you will be at the forefront of powering communities, integrating cutting-edge renewable technologies, and driving the transition toward a sustainable energy landscape.

If you are a forward-thinking engineer who thrives on technical challenges, dives in and solves complex real world power challenges, loves working alongside cross-functional teams, and wants to see your designs come to life on a massive scale, your next big adventure starts here.

We are looking to grow our Utility teams across the organization with immediate needs in Burnaby, Calgary, Edmonton, and Winnipeg. The ideal candidate is located near one of our locations; however, we can offer remote work options for the right candidate.

Responsibilities

• Lead the structural design and engineering of utility infrastructure, including transmission and distribution structures, substations, foundations, equipment supports, and related civil/structural components.
• Prepare and oversee engineering deliverables, including structural drawings, calculations, specifications, design reports, foundation designs, and construction details.
• Perform and review structural analyses and designs for steel, concrete, wood, and other utility structures, including foundations, poles, towers, equipment supports, gantries, platforms, and buildings.
• Develop structural designs for overhead transmission and distribution facilities, including pole structures, lattice towers, wood and steel poles, crossarms, guying systems, and associated foundations.
• Design and specify structural and foundation systems for substations, including equipment foundations, transformer foundations, steel structures, bus supports, control buildings, cable trenches, and other site infrastructure.
• Perform structural analysis and design for applicable loading conditions, including wind, ice, conductor and equipment loads, seismic effects, construction loads, and other site-specific requirements.
• Develop innovative and practical engineering solutions through structural modelling, analysis, and problem-solving, considering constructability, reliability, lifecycle requirements, and site constraints.
• Manage the technical execution of structural engineering projects, ensuring quality, budget, schedule, safety, and applicable regulatory and utility requirements are met.
• Mentor and direct engineers, designers, and drafters to achieve project objectives and maintain technical excellence and consistency across deliverables.
• Prepare project estimates, material take-offs, procurement documentation, technical specifications, and tender/construction packages.
• Build and maintain client relationships, coordinate with utilities, contractors, equipment suppliers, geotechnical consultants, and other stakeholders, and provide technical leadership throughout project delivery.
• Support site visits, field investigations, inspections, construction activities, and condition assessments to verify existing conditions and ensure safe and accurate implementation of structural designs.
• Maintain project documentation and contribute to a collaborative, safety-focused, and high-performing engineering team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering from an accredited university.
• Registered or eligible for registration as a Professional Engineer in Canada.
• Minimum 6–8 years of relevant experience in structural engineering, preferably within the electrical utility, energy, or infrastructure sectors.
• Experience in transmission line, distribution, and/or substation structural design, including utility structures, foundations, equipment supports, and related infrastructure.
• Strong knowledge of structural analysis and design principles, with experience designing steel, concrete, and/or wood structures and foundations.
• Experience with applicable Canadian structural codes and standards, including the National Building Code of Canada, CSA standards, and utility-specific design standards and requirements.
• Experience with structural analysis and design software such as STAAD.Pro, SAP2000, RISA, PLS-POLE, PLS-TOWER, or equivalent would be considered an asset.
• Exceptional organizational skills and the ability to autonomously manage workload and multiple projects with a high degree of accuracy while meeting project deadlines.
• Strong English language skills (verbal and written), with the ability to develop strong business relationships and represent Primary in a professional manner.

Additional Assets

• Be a self-starter and able to plan ahead and solve engineering problems.
• Good aptitude for business development, establishing new client contacts and developing collaborative relationships.
• Is a team player and supports professional development and knowledge sharing and supporting other team members including junior engineers/EITs, designers, and drafters.