As a Director - Other Professional Engineering, you lead engineering teams and manage complex technical projects across the Department of National Defence. You provide strategic direction on engineering matters, oversee the planning and execution of engineering initiatives, and ensure alignment with organizational objectives. This role combines technical expertise with people management and strategic planning to deliver results that support Canada's defence capabilities.
Your responsibilities include directing engineering staff, managing project budgets and timelines, making technical decisions on complex problems, and representing engineering interests at senior management levels. You work with other departments, external partners, and industry stakeholders to advance engineering initiatives. You also mentor junior engineers and contribute to professional development within your team.
You work in a dynamic environment where you balance competing priorities, manage resources effectively, and adapt to changing defence requirements. The role offers opportunities to influence strategic decisions and contribute to projects with national significance.
Key Responsibilities
Plan and manage the delivery of other professional engineering services and programs, Supervise and develop staff within the other professional 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 engineering or a related discipline from an accredited program. Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) certification or eligibility is highly valued. You should have several years of progressive engineering experience, including demonstrated leadership in managing technical teams and complex projects.
The Government of Canada supports ongoing professional development through various programs including project management training, executive leadership courses, and specialized technical certifications. You are expected to maintain your Professional Engineer status and continue your professional development through Engineering Institute of Canada memberships and relevant technical training. DND may also provide security clearance training and defence-specific technical instruction relevant to your assigned projects.
Entry Plans
You can enter this career through several pathways within the federal Public Service. Most commonly, you advance to Director level through internal competitions after gaining experience in lower-level engineering positions (Engineer, Senior Engineer, or Principal Engineer roles). These positions are typically accessed through public competitions, indeterminate appointment processes, or lateral moves from other government departments.
The Public Service Commission (PSC) conducts competitions for management positions at the Director level. You may also transfer laterally if you already hold a comparable position in another federal department. Some candidates enter through specialized recruitment pools or bridging programs. Once in a junior engineering role, you can advance through merit-based competitions as positions become available. Student programs and internships provide entry points for recent graduates seeking to begin their government engineering career.
Part-Time Options
Part-time arrangements for Director-level positions are limited due to the strategic nature of the role and the need for continuity in team leadership and decision-making. However, the federal Public Service does offer flexible work arrangements where operationally feasible. These may include compressed work weeks, flexible start and end times, or modified schedules negotiated with your manager and subject to operational requirements.
Remote work options may be available for certain aspects of the role, particularly for analytical work, planning, and communication activities. However, regular in-person presence is typically required for team leadership, stakeholder meetings, and operational oversight. Specific arrangements depend on your work unit's requirements and your manager's approval. DND supports work-life balance through flexible work policies while ensuring mission-critical functions are maintained.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
