Principal Civil Engineer

Introduction

Brunel is seeking an experienced Principal Engineer to provide senior discipline-level technical leadership within an owner's project team. This position will establish and maintain the technical basis for the assigned engineering discipline, lead technical assurance activities, oversee engineering service provider deliverables, and support the successful execution of major capital projects. The Principal Engineer will act as the final technical authority for complex and high-risk discipline matters while mentoring and directing engineers across the team.

Responsibilities

• Act as a safety leader by promoting and complying with all safety and environmental requirements, procedures, and best practices.
• Establish and maintain the technical basis for the assigned discipline, including design philosophies, standards hierarchies, and discipline-specific requirements.
• Serve as the final discipline-level technical authority for complex engineering matters.
• Review and approve significant design deviations, engineering concessions, and changes to the technical basis.
• Lead discipline-level technical reviews and assurance activities throughout all phases of project delivery.
• Ensure engineering designs, calculations, specifications, drawings, and vendor documentation comply with applicable codes, standards, and technical requirements.
• Develop and review scopes of work for consultant requests for proposal and notices of change.
• Provide senior technical input into proposal reviews, bid evaluations, and discipline-related contracting decisions.
• Manage the review and approval of complex or high-risk engineering deliverables.
• Resolve challenging technical comments and direct corrective action on non-conformances.
• Act as the primary technical interface with engineering service providers and chair discipline coordination meetings.
• Identify and manage technical risks, design interfaces, and interdisciplinary issues.
• Develop technical positions and recommend appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Review engineering change notices, technical queries, and concession requests.
• Assess and communicate the potential schedule and cost implications of technical decisions.
• Mentor and develop engineers and engineers-in-training within the discipline team.
• Support regulatory engagement, permitting activities, and technical coordination with external stakeholders.
• Capture lessons learned and contribute to the continuous improvement of engineering standards, technical documentation, and review practices.
• Contribute to monthly reporting and support the documentation of stage-gate requirements.
• Oversee field contracts and personnel during project execution, as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited engineering program.
• An advanced degree or professional specialization in the relevant engineering discipline is considered an asset.
• Current professional engineering registration, such as P.Eng., PE, or an equivalent designation, in good standing.
• Typically 12 to 18 years of progressive engineering experience.
• Demonstrated senior-level discipline leadership experience on major capital projects within mining, natural resources, or heavy industry.
• Advanced technical expertise within the assigned engineering discipline.
• Thorough knowledge of relevant engineering codes, standards, design practices, and regulatory requirements.
• Proven experience overseeing engineering service providers within an owner's team or EPCM environment.
• Demonstrated accountability for discipline-level technical quality and assurance.
• Strong critical-thinking, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to plan, prioritize, and manage multiple technical activities in support of project objectives.
• Strong communication, leadership, and influencing skills.
• Ability to resolve complex technical issues and communicate technical risks and recommendations clearly.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and develop engineers across multiple experience levels.