As a Director General in Other Professional Engineering, you will provide strategic leadership and executive direction for complex engineering projects and programs within the Department of National Defence. You will oversee multiple engineering teams, manage significant budgets, and ensure alignment with DND's defence and security objectives. This role involves working at the highest levels of the organization, collaborating with senior military and civilian leadership to shape engineering policy, standards, and practices across the department.
Your responsibilities will include setting technical direction for major engineering initiatives, managing stakeholder relationships with internal and external partners, and ensuring compliance with federal regulations and DND policies. You will lead organizational change, mentor senior engineering professionals, and contribute to strategic planning for national defence capabilities. The work environment is dynamic and fast-paced, requiring you to balance competing priorities while maintaining the highest standards of technical excellence and professional integrity.
This executive role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on Canada's defence infrastructure and capabilities. You will work in a collaborative environment with military personnel, government officials, and industry partners, addressing complex technical and operational challenges that directly support national security.
Key Responsibilities
Perform other professional engineering analysis, design, and review, Prepare technical specifications and engineering documents, Conduct inspections, assessments, and quality reviews, Ensure compliance with applicable codes and standards
Education and experience commensurate with the role requirements
Training
To succeed in this role, you will typically require a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related discipline from an accredited program. Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation from a Canadian provincial or territorial engineering association is highly valued and often expected. You should have extensive experience in engineering management, strategic planning, and executive leadership within a large organization.
Continuing professional development is essential at this level. DND offers executive leadership training, strategic management programs, and technical updating opportunities through the Canadian Armed Forces and the Public Service. You may pursue advanced certifications in project management, such as PMP or equivalent credentials. Access to professional development ensures you remain current with emerging technologies, engineering best practices, and government policy changes. Membership in professional engineering associations is encouraged to maintain your P.Eng. designation and stay connected with the broader engineering community.
Entry Plans
Entry to this Director General level position typically occurs through competitive federal public service appointments. Most candidates are recruited through executive recruitment processes managed by Treasury Board Secretaries and DND Human Resources. These competitions are open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents and are advertised on the Government of Canada job board (jobs.gc.ca).
Candidates usually enter the Public Service at lower classification levels (such as Engineer or Senior Engineer) through open competitions and progress through promotions and lateral moves. Alternatively, experienced engineers from the private sector or other government departments may apply directly to advertised Director General competitions if they meet the stated qualifications and experience requirements. Some appointments may occur through the Public Service Executive appointment process, which follows specific Treasury Board guidelines.
The most common pathway involves: starting as a professional engineer in the federal system, building experience in progressively senior roles, demonstrating executive leadership capability, and being selected through competitive processes for director-level positions. Internal candidates often benefit from mentorship programs and executive development initiatives offered by DND.
Part-Time Options
Part-time work at the Director General level is not typically available due to the executive nature of the role and the need for continuous strategic leadership and decision-making. However, the Government of Canada does support flexible work arrangements where operationally feasible.
Remote work options may be negotiated on a case-by-case basis, particularly for administrative or planning tasks that do not require on-site presence. However, the role generally requires in-person attendance at DND facilities in the National Capital Region or at other DND locations to fulfill stakeholder engagement, team leadership, and operational oversight responsibilities. Any flexible arrangements would be determined in consultation with your manager and must align with DND's operational requirements and the needs of your teams. The executive nature of this position means that some flexibility may be possible, but the core responsibilities typically demand a full-time commitment.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
