As a Director of Petroleum Engineering, you lead a team of specialized engineers and technical professionals responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing petroleum engineering projects and initiatives within the Department of National Defence. You provide strategic direction on complex engineering challenges, manage budgets and resources, and ensure projects align with departmental objectives and federal policies. This role requires you to balance technical expertise with management responsibilities, making decisions that impact project outcomes, team performance, and organizational goals. You work in a dynamic environment where you collaborate with other government departments, industry partners, and international allies on matters related to energy security, infrastructure development, and operational support. Your leadership influences how the department manages its petroleum engineering capabilities and responds to evolving defence and security needs.
Key Responsibilities
Plan and manage the delivery of petroleum engineering services and programs, Supervise and develop staff within the petroleum 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 Petroleum Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline. Many successful candidates hold a Master's degree in Petroleum Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field. Professional Engineer (PE) or Professional Engineering certification (P.Eng.) is highly valued and often required or preferred. You should have substantial experience—typically 10 to 15 years—in petroleum engineering roles, with at least 5 years in progressively senior positions. Ongoing professional development is essential and may include advanced project management certifications, leadership training, courses in government procurement and policy, and participation in professional engineering associations. The Government of Canada supports employee development through tuition assistance programs, allowing you to pursue additional credentials throughout your career.
Entry Plans
Entry into this director-level position typically occurs through federal public service competitions open to Canadian citizens. You may enter as a lateral move if you're already working in the federal public service at a comparable or lower classification level, or you may apply through external competitions if you're coming from the private sector or other organizations. The Public Service Commission conducts these competitions and evaluates candidates based on their education, experience, technical knowledge, and management competencies. Some candidates progress into this role by starting in junior or intermediate petroleum engineering positions within DND and advancing through promotions as they develop their expertise and leadership skills. Student or early-career recruitment programs may also be available depending on departmental needs. Once hired, you would typically complete government-specific orientation training covering policies, security protocols, and departmental procedures.
Part-Time Options
Full-time employment is the standard expectation for director-level positions due to the strategic leadership responsibilities and stakeholder engagement required. However, the federal public service does offer flexible work arrangements on a case-by-case basis, subject to operational requirements and manager approval. These may include flexible hours, compressed work weeks, or job sharing arrangements, though the extent depends on the nature of your duties and departmental needs. Remote or hybrid work options have become more common across the federal government and may be available for portions of your work, particularly for administrative tasks and internal meetings, though some in-person presence is typically necessary for team leadership and stakeholder collaboration. Any flexible arrangements would be negotiated with your manager and aligned with Treasury Board guidelines and departmental policies.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
