As a Director of Civil Engineering, you lead civil engineering projects and teams that support Canada's defence infrastructure and operations. You provide strategic direction on complex engineering challenges, manage multi-disciplinary teams, and ensure projects meet safety, budget, and timeline requirements. Your work directly impacts the operational readiness of Canadian Armed Forces facilities and infrastructure across the country.
In this role, you oversee the planning, design, and execution of civil engineering initiatives ranging from facility upgrades to major infrastructure developments. You collaborate with senior leadership, other government departments, and external stakeholders to deliver solutions that meet defence priorities. You're responsible for managing budgets, recruiting and developing engineering talent, and ensuring compliance with federal regulations and engineering standards.
You'll work in a dynamic environment where your technical expertise and leadership skills are equally important. Whether based at a National Defence headquarters location or a regional installation, you'll balance strategic planning with hands-on problem-solving, mentoring junior engineers, and advancing innovation in civil engineering practices.
Key Responsibilities
Plan and manage the delivery of civil engineering services and programs, Supervise and develop staff within the civil engineering team, Monitor performance metrics and report on results, Develop and implement operational plans and procedures, Manage stakeholder relationships and ensure service quality
Required Skills
Technical analysis, Design and drafting tools (CAD), Project management, Regulatory knowledge, Problem-solving, Team leadership, Operational planning, Stakeholder engagement, Results management
Typical Education
Bachelor's degree or equivalent; significant experience in the relevant discipline with demonstrated leadership
Training
To qualify for this position, you typically need a bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a related discipline from a Canadian university or equivalent. Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation in your province or territory is highly valued and often expected at the director level. Many successful candidates hold a master's degree in civil engineering, project management, or business administration.
Continuing professional development is essential in this role. You'll engage in project management certifications, advanced technical training, and federal leadership programs offered through the Public Service. DND provides access to professional development opportunities, including courses on defence policy, project management methodologies, and emerging engineering technologies. Membership in professional engineering associations such as Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) or equivalent provincial bodies is encouraged and supported.
Entry Plans
You can enter this career through several pathways within the federal Public Service. Most commonly, you'll apply through a Public Service Commission (PSC) competition advertised on the Government of Canada jobs website (jobs.gc.ca). These competitions are open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents and typically require 7-10 years of progressive civil engineering experience, with at least 3-5 years in a management or senior technical role.
If you're already a federal public servant in a civil engineering role, you may be eligible for internal competitions, which can provide a faster pathway to advancement. Some candidates enter DND civilian roles through lateral moves from other government departments or from provincial/municipal engineering backgrounds. DND also develops talent internally by supporting engineers to advance from intermediate to senior levels through structured career development and mentoring programs. Candidates with military experience or familiarity with defence operations may have additional advantages in understanding DND's unique mandate.
Part-Time Options
Director-level positions are typically full-time due to the strategic leadership responsibilities and budget authority required. However, DND's Civilian Workforce is committed to supporting work-life balance and flexible arrangements where operationally feasible.
Depending on your specific assignment and organizational needs, you may have access to flexible work arrangements such as compressed work weeks or adjusted schedules. Remote work options have expanded across the Public Service and may be available for certain administrative or planning tasks, though the director role often requires on-site presence for meetings, site inspections, and stakeholder engagement.
If you require part-time work or have specific flexibility needs, you can discuss accommodation options with the hiring manager and DND's Human Resources team during the recruitment process. DND values diverse work arrangements and will work with you to find sustainable solutions that meet both operational requirements and your personal circumstances.
