As a Director of Electrical Engineering in the Department of National Defence, you will lead and manage electrical engineering teams and projects that support Canada's defence and security objectives. You will provide strategic direction, oversight, and technical expertise in the planning, design, and delivery of complex electrical engineering solutions for military facilities, equipment, and infrastructure. In this leadership role, you will be responsible for managing budgets, personnel, and timelines while ensuring projects meet rigorous technical standards and government requirements.
Your daily responsibilities will include directing the work of engineering professionals, reviewing technical designs and specifications, making key decisions on project scope and resources, and ensuring compliance with applicable codes, standards, and regulations. You will collaborate with other departments, military units, and external partners to align electrical engineering initiatives with defence priorities. You will also mentor and develop your team members, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement in electrical engineering practices.
You will typically work in an office environment at a DND facility or headquarters location. Your role may require occasional travel to project sites, meetings with stakeholders, or professional conferences. You will work standard business hours with the possibility of additional time during critical project phases or emergency situations.
Key Responsibilities
Plan and manage the delivery of electrical engineering services and programs, Supervise and develop staff within the electrical 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 will typically need a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related discipline from a recognized university. Professional certification as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) in your province or territory is highly valued and may be required depending on the specific position.
Relevant certifications and professional designations include membership with Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO), Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia (EGBC), or equivalent provincial/territorial engineering regulatory bodies. You should demonstrate knowledge of Canadian electrical codes, National Building Code requirements, and military-specific standards.
The Government of Canada provides ongoing professional development opportunities, including training in project management, financial administration, human resources management, and leadership skills. You may also pursue advanced certifications in specialized areas such as power systems, facility management, or defence technology. Access to conferences, workshops, and online learning platforms supports continuous skill development throughout your career.
Entry Plans
Entry to the Director level in Electrical Engineering typically occurs through one of several pathways within the federal Public Service:
Competitive processes: The primary route is through open or semi-open competitions advertised on the Government of Canada's Job Bank and DND's careers website. These competitions assess your technical expertise, management experience, and leadership capability against the position requirements.
Internal advancement: Many Directors are promoted from Senior Engineer or Project Manager roles within DND or other federal departments. This pathway recognizes your track record of technical delivery and growing management responsibilities.
Lateral entry: If you hold a comparable director-level position in the private sector, consulting, or other levels of government, you may be considered for lateral appointment, particularly if you have recent experience with complex engineering projects and team leadership.
Students and early-career professionals typically enter the electrical engineering stream at the Engineer or Junior Engineer level through student recruitment programs or entry-level competitions, then progress to director-level positions after gaining several years of experience and demonstrating management capability.
Part-Time Options
Part-time work arrangements for Director-level positions in Electrical Engineering are limited due to the strategic and supervisory nature of the role. However, the Government of Canada does support flexible work arrangements where operationally feasible.
Flexible scheduling may be available for managing core working hours while maintaining the ability to attend critical meetings and oversee team deliverables. Remote work options have expanded across the federal government, and you may be able to perform some administrative, planning, and communication tasks from home, though your physical presence at the DND facility will typically be required for leadership meetings, site inspections, and team collaboration.
Any flexible or part-time arrangements would be negotiated directly with your manager and must align with operational requirements and the needs of your department. Your eligibility for these options will depend on the specific role, location, and DND's current work arrangements policy. I encourage you to inquire about current flexible work policies during the recruitment process.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
