Technical Design Lead

ClearBakk; Calgary; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A water engineering firm in Calgary is seeking a Design Lead to oversee system design and drafting while managing junior designers. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in mechanical design and proficiency with software such as AutoCAD Plant 3D and Inventor. This role involves coordinating with international teams and ensuring design quality standards are met.

Qualifications

• 8–12 years of mechanical design experience, including piping systems and industrial equipment.
• Minimum 5+ years experience with AutoCAD Plant 3D and related software.
• Experience leading design teams or coordinating multi-disciplinary design efforts.

Responsibilities

• Lead hands-on system design and coordinate BIM across disciplines.
• Manage design software, hardware, and data management systems.
• Oversee junior designers and collaborate with international teams.

Skills

Mechanical design

2D and 3D modeling

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

Technical diploma or degree in mechanical design or related field

Tools

AutoCAD Plant 3D

Inventor

SolidWorks

Vault Professional

NavisWorks

Bluebeam

Job description

About Us

ClearBakk (Alsys-Group) is a dynamic and innovative water engineering and technology firm specializing in advanced filtration, treatment, and recycling solutions. We focus on process engineering and decentralized systems, delivering sustainable water management solutions across industries. Our team is passionate about environmental impact and technical excellence, and we’re looking for a Design Lead to help us scale our capabilities.

Position Summary

As Design Lead, you will play a dual role —leading hands‑on system design and drafting work through coordinating Building Information Modeling (BIM) across disciplines, while also managing and coordinating design resources, systems, and workflows. You will report to the Engineering Manager and work closely with internal engineering and business development teams to scope, estimate, decompose and assign design tasks. You’ll oversee junior designers and collaborate with High Value Engineering Centers (HVECs) abroad to ensure quality and consistency across deliverables.

This role also includes responsibility for managing design software, hardware, and data management systems (e.g., Vault), ensuring the team has the tools and infrastructure needed to perform efficiently.

Key Responsibilities

Design & Drafting

• Perform 2D and 3D mechanical design using AutoCAD Plant 3D, Inventor, SolidWorks, and other CAD platforms.
• Develop general arrangement drawings, piping layouts, and detailed fabrication drawings.
• Create and review models for constructability, interferences, and compliance with standards.
• Support design from concept through detailed engineering, including redlining and revisions.
• Conduct field walks (mod yard or remote site) to validate designs and gather data.
• Coordinate 3D models and drawing deliverables for clash detection and constructability review using Inventor, Navisworks, and other tools.
• Facilitate formal and informal 3D model reviews (with client and / or project team).

Leadership & Coordination

• Lead and mentor junior designers and drafters.
• Coordinate design and drawing activities with HVECs and external partners.
• Manage and prioritize incoming design requests from engineering and BD teams, including scope definition, decomposition and prioritization.
• Estimate manhours and assign resources to meet project timelines and budgets. Support resource forecasting and provide input to the Engineering Manager and Project Controls on design capacity and staffing.
• Ensure design standards and QA / QC processes are followed across all deliverables.
• Interface with Document Control to ensure proper release, revision, and traceability of all design outputs.

Systems & Infrastructure

• Administer and maintain CAD software licenses, hardware, and data management systems (e.g., Vault Professional).
• Develop and maintain drafting templates, CAD standards, piping and skid frame software design modules, and workflows.
• Collaborate with IT and engineering leadership to ensure system reliability and scalability, and extend design / drafting environment to HVECs in a secure manner.

Qualifications & Experience

• Technical diploma or degree in mechanical design, drafting technology, or related field.
• 8–12 years of mechanical design experience, including piping systems, modular process skids, and industrial equipment.
• Minimum 5+ years of experience with AutoCAD Plant 3D, Inventor and Vault for industrial systems.
• Experience leading design teams or coordinating multi‑disciplinary design efforts.
• Strong understanding of P&IDs, piping standards, and mechanical codes (CSA, ASME, etc.).
• Familiarity with Bluebeam, NavisWorks, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience in industries such as oil & gas, chemical, food & beverage, or industrial HVAC is an asset.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.
• Valid driver’s license required.