As a Manager - Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, you provide strategic leadership and technical direction to engineering teams working on industrial processes, manufacturing systems, and operational improvements across the Department of National Defence. You oversee projects ranging from weapon system production to facility manufacturing operations, ensuring efficiency, quality, and alignment with departmental objectives. This role combines hands-on engineering expertise with people management, requiring you to mentor engineers, manage budgets, coordinate with cross-functional teams, and drive continuous improvement initiatives. You work in a dynamic environment where your decisions directly impact operational capabilities and support the defence of Canada. Your responsibilities include setting technical standards, managing project timelines and resources, conducting performance reviews, and representing your engineering discipline at senior planning meetings.
Key Responsibilities
Plan and manage the delivery of industrial and manufacturing engineering services and programs, Supervise and develop staff within the industrial and manufacturing 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, People management, Operational oversight, Quality assurance, Resource coordination
Typical Education
Post-secondary education in the relevant field; supervisory and operational management experience
Training
To qualify for this position, you typically need a bachelor's degree in engineering (Industrial, Manufacturing, Mechanical, or related discipline) from an accredited Canadian university or equivalent. Many successful candidates hold a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation from Engineers and Geoscientists Canada (formerly Professional Engineers Ontario or equivalent provincial bodies), though this is often preferred rather than mandatory. You should have several years of progressive engineering experience, including at least 2-3 years in a supervisory or lead role. Professional development opportunities in the Public Service include Project Management Professional (PMP) certifications, Lean Six Sigma training, advanced leadership programs through the Canada School of Public Service, and ongoing technical certifications in your engineering specialty. DND also supports continuous learning through tuition reimbursement and professional association memberships.
Entry Plans
You can enter this management level through several pathways in the federal Public Service. The most common route is through Public Service Commission (PSC) advertised competitions open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, where you apply directly to posted Manager positions. Alternatively, you may progress internally by competing for promotion from a senior Engineer position (Engineer or Senior Engineer level) within DND or other federal departments. DND also maintains priority pools of qualified candidates for management positions, allowing faster placement when vacancies arise. If you're transitioning from the Canadian Armed Forces, Class B or Class C service members with relevant engineering backgrounds may be eligible for priority consideration through veterans' hiring initiatives. Some candidates enter through lateral moves from other federal departments with similar job classifications. Early-career engineers can also join through graduate recruitment programs and work toward management roles over time.
Part-Time Options
Part-time work at the Manager - Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering level is limited due to the supervisory and strategic responsibilities inherent to the role. However, flexible work arrangements such as compressed work weeks and hybrid work schedules (combining office and remote work) are increasingly available and negotiable with your supervisor, depending on operational requirements. Remote work options vary by assignment; some policy and planning work can be done remotely, while hands-on site visits to manufacturing facilities or defence installations are typically required in-person. Job sharing at the management level is rare but not impossible. As a manager, you would discuss specific flexibility options during the hiring process and review them periodically with your director. The Department of National Defence is committed to supporting work-life balance within operational constraints, and arrangements are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
