Specialist Mechanical Engineer – Nuclear Tooling

Specialist Mechanical Engineer – Nuclear Tooling

Locations: Mississauga, Pickering or Port Elgin, Ontario
Contract term: 12 months

Position Overview

The Specialist Mechanical Engineer will serve as a senior technical authority for nuclear tooling systems used to inspect, maintain, repair and refurbish CANDU reactors.

This is a multidisciplinary engineering position requiring expertise beyond conventional mechanical tooling. The successful candidate must understand how mechanical design integrates with electrical systems, instrumentation and controls, software, human factors and field operations.

The engineer will establish technical direction, oversee complex tooling programs and provide senior-level guidance to project teams comprising engineers, technologists and technicians. They will also act as a primary technical interface between our client, its clients, CANDU engineering teams, suppliers and other project stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Authority and Tooling Expertise

• Act as a technical authority in one or more nuclear tooling technologies or design areas.
• Provide specialized technical knowledge concerning the design, testing, qualification and deployment of tooling systems.
• Establish the technical direction for tooling programs and complex engineering assignments.
• Determine appropriate engineering methods for achieving program objectives safely, economically and effectively.
• Exercise independent technical judgment when resolving complex tooling issues.
• Remain current with emerging tooling technologies, industry developments and advanced engineering practices.
• Contribute to the development and growth of the tooling technology business line.

Program and Project Leadership

• Conceive and oversee the development of tooling programs and long-range technical plans.
• Establish program objectives, technical priorities and execution strategies.
• Participate in operational planning activities.
• Lead or oversee complex tooling projects supporting large-scale nuclear refurbishments and maintenance programs.
• Coordinate tooling work involving multiple engineering disciplines and project functions.
• Ensure technical requirements are integrated across design, procurement, quality assurance, contracts, construction and field deployment.
• Provide technical oversight to project teams during tooling design, testing and execution.

Multidisciplinary Engineering Integration

• Coordinate mechanical tooling designs with electrical, instrumentation and controls, software, mechatronics and human-factors requirements.
• Ensure all components of the tooling system—including mechanical assemblies, controls, power, software and operating interfaces—function as an integrated system.
• Work closely with other engineering teams to identify and resolve interface requirements.
• Support the integration of technical specifications, supplier designs and tooling systems into the wider plant and project environment.

Client and Industry Representation

• Serve as the primary technical interface with clients and CANDU engineering teams within the engineer’s area of specialization.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with clients, suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Resolve technical disagreements and conflicts while maintaining strong client focus.
• Represent our client, when delegated, in engineering standards development or technical forums related to the engineer’s area of expertise.
• Communicate complex technical matters clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Leadership and Knowledge Transfer

• Provide leadership, coaching and technical mentorship to engineers, technologists, technicians and other support personnel.
• Support the recruitment and training of specialized tooling personnel.
• Provide input into staff selection and performance appraisal activities when required.
• Help develop internal tooling capability and preserve critical technical knowledge.
• Oversee work completed by more-junior project personnel and ensure appropriate technical quality.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Mechatronics from an accredited university, or an equivalent degree recognized by Professional Engineers Ontario.
• Registered Professional Engineer in Ontario and member in good standing.
• Minimum 15 years of progressive nuclear experience in a discipline and field relevant to large-scale nuclear refurbishments or maintenance services.
• Recognized within CANDU and the broader nuclear industry as a subject-matter expert in tooling design, testing and deployment.
• Extensive experience with tooling used to inspect, repair, maintain or refurbish nuclear reactors.
• Strong understanding of multidisciplinary tooling systems incorporating mechanical, electrical, instrumentation and controls, software or mechatronic components.
• Highly specialized understanding of tooling-system technology.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound independent judgment and technical decision-making.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex engineering projects.
• Experience coordinating tooling work with:
  • Mechanical engineering
  • Electrical engineering
  • Instrumentation and controls
  • Human factors
  • Procurement
  • Quality assurance
  • Contracts
  • Construction and field-execution teams
• Strong leadership, coaching and mentoring capabilities.
• Excellent client-service and conflict-resolution skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to travel to project sites based on operational requirements.

Security and Regulatory Requirements

• Successful completion of the required nuclear security-clearance process is a condition of employment.
• Experience executing projects subject to import and export controls.
• Candidates must satisfy applicable project and site-access requirements.