Senior Geotechnical Engineer - Hydropower & Dams

Requisition ID: 180595

Job Level: Senior Level

Home District/Group: Kiewit Infrastructure Engineers

Department: Design Engineering

Market: Water/Wastewater

Employment Type: Full Time

Position Overview

Kiewit is seeking a Senior Geotechnical Engineer to play a key technical leadership role on complex hydropower, dam, and hydraulic structure projects across North America. This position offers the opportunity to influence the planning, design, and construction of complex infrastructure with longterm environmental and societal impact.

As a senior member of Kiewit's Hydropower, Dams, and Hydraulic Structures (HDH) team, you will work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams, construction partners, and clients to deliver highquality, constructible designs. The role combines deep technical involvement, project leadership, and mentorship, with opportunities to contribute to business development and the strategic growth of the HDH practice.

Why Join Kiewit's Hydropower & Dams Team?

  • Work on large, complex hydropower and dam projects across Canada and the U.S.
  • Influence designs that are built by Kiewit, ensuring strong constructability and realworld impact
  • Collaborate with high-performance multidisciplinary teams in an integrated design-construction environment
  • Opportunity to mentor engineers and influence the future of the practice Support for professional engagement and leadership in the industry
District Overview

2025 ENR National Contractor Rankings #1 for Transportation and #3 Top 100 design build firms.

Kiewit Infrastructure Engineers (KIE) is a multi-faceted and leading-edge division of our company that offers a variety of services, including, temporary and permanent design services for current projects and new project pursuits in the United States and Canada. Our design services group has offices in Colorado, Nebraska, Washington State, and Toronto, Canada offering expertise in structural, geotechnical, civil, drainage, roadway, and materials disciplines. Our engineering group is responsible for managing engineering assignments in support of Kiewit's construction projects in both the United States and Canada. As part of the engineering group, you will have the opportunity to work with other structural and geotechnical engineers, members of our interdisciplinary engineering team, as well as estimators, schedules and construction experts to provide advice on construction methodology, risk and the design of temporary works.

At Kiewit, we deliver some of the most challenging and meaningful infrastructure projects in North America. Our integrated designconstruction approach allows engineers to see their work built and to collaborate directly with construction teams to deliver innovative, practical solutions.

Location

This position is located in our Oakville, ON office. Remote or hybrid work arrangements may be considered.

Responsibilities

Technical & Project Leadership

  • Serve as a senior geotechnical technical resource on hydropower, dam, and hydraulic structure projects, commensurate with experience.
  • Provide technical oversight and guidance on complex or critical geotechnical design elements, including foundations, embankments, underground works, and appurtenant structures.
  • Act as design coordinator or deputy design manager on select projects, supporting integrated delivery with civil, structural, hydraulic, mechanical, and electrical disciplines.
  • Support project teams in resolving technical and logistical challenges, including nonconformities, constructability issues, and technical claims.
  • Contribute to technical risk identification and mitigation during pursuits and project execution.
  • Champion innovative design approaches, alternative solutions, and emerging technologies where appropriate.
  • Ensure designs are delivered in accordance with applicable codes, standards, and Kiewit's design quality management program.
  • May serve as Engineer of Record for geotechnical components, where appropriate and aligned with experience and licensure.

People, Collaboration & Mentorship

  • Collaborate closely with internal engineering teams, construction personnel, and external design partners.
  • Mentor and support the development of junior and intermediate engineers through technical guidance and knowledge sharing.
  • Foster a collaborative, inclusive team environment focused on quality, safety, and continuous improvement.
  • Interface with clients, regulators, subconsultants, and project stakeholders as a senior technical representative.

Business & Practice Development

  • Support business development efforts, including pursuits, technical proposals, and client engagement.
  • Contribute to the growth and evolution of the HDH practice through strategic initiatives, lessons learned, and continuous improvement. Interest in improving design efficiency through new tools and workflows (including AIenabled solutions).

Quality & Safety

  • Lead by example in promoting a strong culture of safety, quality, and accountability.
  • Support implementation and continuous improvement of the design quality management system.
Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Geotechnical Engineering (or closely related discipline).
  • Minimum 10 years of experience in geotechnical engineering design.
  • Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) or ability to obtain it in the short term.
  • Demonstrated experience on hydropower and dam projects, including dams, spillways, and appurtenant structures.
  • Experience working within integrated or contractorled delivery models (e.g., DesignBuild, EPC, Progressive DesignBuild).
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to work autonomously while collaborating effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
  • Willingness to travel periodically to project offices and job sites.
  • Fluent in English (written and spoken).

Preferred (Not Required)

  • Experience as a design manager, deputy design manager, project engineer, or design coordinator on multidisciplinary projects.
  • More than 15 years of experience in geotechnical engineering design.
  • Onsite construction experience and ability to view design through a constructability lens.
  • Engagement in industry organizations such as CDA, USS
  • D, Waterpower Canada, NHA, CEATI, or similar.
  • Holistic understanding of hydropower and dam projects beyond geotechnical engineering.
  • Interest in supporting other water or infrastructure markets.
  • Functional knowledge of French is considered as an asset since mobility across provinces in Canada is required. Lessons can be provided as needed.
  • Experience working with AI agents and tools preferred

#LI-GH

Other Requirements:

  • Regular, reliable attendance
  • Work productively and meet deadlines timely
  • Communicate and interact effectively and professionally with supervisors, employees, and others individually or in a team environment
  • Perform work safely and effectively. Understand and follow oral and written instructions, including warning signs, equipment use, and other policies.
  • Work during normal operating hours to organize and complete work within given deadlines. Work overtime and weekends as required.
  • May work at various different locations and conditions may vary
  • Openings are to fill both existing vacancies and newly created positions

Base Compensation: CAD $160,000 - 210,000
(Actual compensation is subject to variation due to such factors as education, experience, skillset, and/or location)

We offer our fulltime staff employees a comprehensive benefits package that's among the best in our industry, including top-tier medical, dental and vision plans covering eligible employees and dependents, voluntary wellness and employee assistance programs, life insurance, disability, retirement plans with matching, and generous paid time off.

We believe in equal opportunity in employment practices without discrimination and comply with all laws regarding human rights in the provinces where we operate.

Back to blog

Other Jobs To Apply

No other job posts for this day.

Common Interview Questions And Answers

1. HOW DO YOU PLAN YOUR DAY?

This is what this question poses: When do you focus and start working seriously? What are the hours you work optimally? Are you a night owl? A morning bird? Remote teams can be made up of people working on different shifts and around the world, so you won't necessarily be stuck in the 9-5 schedule if it's not for you...

2. HOW DO YOU USE THE DIFFERENT COMMUNICATION TOOLS IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS?

When you're working on a remote team, there's no way to chat in the hallway between meetings or catch up on the latest project during an office carpool. Therefore, virtual communication will be absolutely essential to get your work done...

3. WHAT IS "WORKING REMOTE" REALLY FOR YOU?

Many people want to work remotely because of the flexibility it allows. You can work anywhere and at any time of the day...

4. WHAT DO YOU NEED IN YOUR PHYSICAL WORKSPACE TO SUCCEED IN YOUR WORK?

With this question, companies are looking to see what equipment they may need to provide you with and to verify how aware you are of what remote working could mean for you physically and logistically...

5. HOW DO YOU PROCESS INFORMATION?

Several years ago, I was working in a team to plan a big event. My supervisor made us all work as a team before the big day. One of our activities has been to find out how each of us processes information...

6. HOW DO YOU MANAGE THE CALENDAR AND THE PROGRAM? WHICH APPLICATIONS / SYSTEM DO YOU USE?

Or you may receive even more specific questions, such as: What's on your calendar? Do you plan blocks of time to do certain types of work? Do you have an open calendar that everyone can see?...

7. HOW DO YOU ORGANIZE FILES, LINKS, AND TABS ON YOUR COMPUTER?

Just like your schedule, how you track files and other information is very important. After all, everything is digital!...

8. HOW TO PRIORITIZE WORK?

The day I watched Marie Forleo's film separating the important from the urgent, my life changed. Not all remote jobs start fast, but most of them are...

9. HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A MEETING AND PREPARE A MEETING? WHAT DO YOU SEE HAPPENING DURING THE MEETING?

Just as communication is essential when working remotely, so is organization. Because you won't have those opportunities in the elevator or a casual conversation in the lunchroom, you should take advantage of the little time you have in a video or phone conference...

10. HOW DO YOU USE TECHNOLOGY ON A DAILY BASIS, IN YOUR WORK AND FOR YOUR PLEASURE?

This is a great question because it shows your comfort level with technology, which is very important for a remote worker because you will be working with technology over time...