Technical director – geotechnical, dams & tailings

GHD is a global professional services company that leads through engineering, architecture, and construction expertise. We are an employee-owned company with over 11,000 diverse and skilled individuals, across more than 200 offices spanning five continents.

The Power of Commitment is our brand promise. It’s what makes us different. We are bound to our stated vision and determination to address humanity’s most urgent needs: to make water, energy and urbanisation sustainable for generations to come.

GHD’s Dams Group is seeking a Senior Dams Engineer/Technical Director to provide technical and project leadership and support the continued growth of our dams and hydropower practice in Western Canada.

The successful candidate will lead and contribute to complex multidisciplinary dam projects across their lifecycle, provide technical guidance and mentorship to our growing team, strengthen key client relationships, and help identify and secure new project opportunities.

The position will report to the North America PMO Lead and may be based in one of GHD’s offices across Canada, with a preference for British Columbia or Alberta.

See what the power of commitment can do for you!

Who are we looking for?

• Provide technical leadership in dam engineering and dam safety, supporting the assessment, design, rehabilitation and upgrading of existing and new dams.
• Lead and contribute to multidisciplinary projects spanning site investigations, dam safety assessments and reviews, feasibility and design studies, detailed design, construction, commissioning and ongoing dam safety management.
• Provide technical leadership and design input for a broad range of dam types and associated infrastructure, including embankment and concrete dams, spillways, outlet works, intake structures and hydropower facilities.
• Lead or manage projects to achieve successful outcomes for our clients, including responsibility for scope, budget, schedule, quality and technical delivery.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams including geotechnical and geological, structural, hydrotechnical, mechanical, electrical and environmental specialists.
• Provide dams and hydropower engineering advice during construction, rehabilitation and commissioning.
• Mentor and develop junior and intermediate engineers and contribute to the continued development of GHD’s technical capability.
• Build trusted relationships with clients, regulators, partners and other industry stakeholders.
• Identify and pursue new project opportunities, contribute to winning strategies, and lead or support the preparation of proposals and technical submissions.
• Build GHD’s profile within the dams and hydropower industry through client engagement, technical leadership and participation in relevant professional and industry organizations.
• Collaborate with GHD’s dams specialists across Canada and internationally to connect the right expertise to our clients and projects.

What you bring to the team:

• 20+ years’ experience in dams engineering.
• An industry profile through participation in professional associations, communities of interest, and associations.
• Dam safety assessments and reviews, risk assessments, surveillance and performance evaluation, and development of dam safety upgrades.
• Broad experience across the dam lifecycle, including site investigations, dam safety assessments and reviews, feasibility and design studies, detailed design, rehabilitation and upgrades, construction support, commissioning, and ongoing dam safety management.
• Degree in Civil, Geotechnical, Structural or a related engineering discipline.
• Registration as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) in Canada, with registration or eligibility for registration with Engineers and Geoscientists BC.
• Extensive, progressively responsible experience in dam engineering, typically 20+ years, with demonstrated technical and project leadership.
• Strong knowledge of dam design, dam safety and the evaluation and upgrading of existing dams.
• Experience across a broad range of dams and associated infrastructure, with knowledge that may include embankment and concrete dams, spillways, outlet works, intake structures, hydropower facilities and other appurtenant structures.
• Demonstrated experience in one or more areas of dam safety, including dam safety reviews and assessments, risk assessments, performance evaluation, rehabilitation and development of dam safety upgrades.
• Experience leading and contributing to multidisciplinary engineering teams and complex projects.
• Strong project management and commercial skills, including the preparation and management of scopes, budgets, schedules, work programs, proposals and technical deliverables.
• Demonstrated ability to build productive client relationships and contribute to business development and successful project pursuits.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex technical matters clearly to clients and multidisciplinary teams.

Salary range: $155,925 - 259,875. The posted salary range represents the expected hiring range for GHD locations in its major city centres. Ranges may vary for positions in other locations. At GHD, base salary is determined by your skills, experience, qualifications and work location. We are committed to offering competitive compensation and adhere to all relevant pay transparency legislation.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in recruiting is just getting started and may be used during the process to improve efficiency and fairness. Your application may be reviewed by both AI and our hiring team. While AI supports some steps through the process, all final hiring decisions are made by humans.

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As a diverse and inclusive organization, we encourage individual achievement and recognize the strength of a diverse workforce. GHD is an equal opportunity employer. Upon request, GHD will provide reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment and selection process.