Spruce River Construction Management & Engineering (Spruce River):
Spruce River is based in Thunder Bay, ON, and provides a combination of professional project management (PPM), engineering/technical services, consulting, and strategic advising to First Nations, Indigenous organizations, rural/remote communities, private developers, regional organizations and other clients. Our work spans infrastructure, building sciences, telecommunications, energy, property development, and strategic advising. We prioritize value, integrity, respect, trust, and perseverance in every engagement, aligning our services with expectations, cultural values, and long-term goals of our clients.
Position Overview:
The Intermediate/Senior Civil Designer contributes to and leads the preparation of civil design projects while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams across diverse engineering disciplines in a dynamic and growth-oriented environment. The role applies advanced technical knowledge in site development, grading, drainage, road and highway design, and municipal infrastructure. The ideal candidate provides guidance and mentorship to junior staff while ensuring designs are accurate, constructible, and compliant with applicable standards, codes, and project requirements.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop practical civil design solutions for land development and infrastructure projects, taking concepts through to coordinated construction-ready drawings.
- Lead the preparation of site layouts, grading plans, servicing plans, road designs, drainage systems, and related civil details.
- Assess existing site conditions and identify design constraints, risks, and opportunities early in the project.
- Translate field information, survey records, geotechnical recommendations, and client requirements into clear and workable designs.
- Work closely with project engineers and other disciplines to resolve conflicts and maintain consistency across the full design package.
- Exercise sound technical judgment when evaluating design alternatives, construction methods, material availability, and project costs.
- Review drawings and calculations completed by other team members and provide clear, constructive direction.
- Help establish project deliverables, design priorities, timelines, and internal quality-control requirements.
- Communicate directly with clients, contractors, approval authorities, and project stakeholders throughout design and construction.
- Assist with construction-phase services, including responding to site questions, reviewing changes, and addressing field conditions.
- Support the development of junior staff through day-to-day coaching, design reviews, and knowledge sharing.
- Participate in preparing scopes of work, fee estimates, proposals, and presentations for prospective and existing clients.
- Promote consistent design practices and contribute to the continued improvement of the company’s civil design standards and workflows.
Qualifications:
Required
- A degree or diploma in Civil Engineering, Civil Engineering Technology, or a related field.
- 8+ years of relevant experience in civil design, including site development, municipal infrastructure, and transportation projects.
- Proficiency with design and modelling software such as AutoCAD, Civil 3D, InRoads, and OpenRoads.
- Proven experience mentoring junior designers and coordinating design work across multidisciplinary teams.
- Strong technical, organizational, and communication skills.
- Valid Class G Driver's License.
- Willingness to periodically travel to rural or remote communities and other locations as required.
Preferred
- Registered as a Certified Engineering Technologist (C.E.T.) or Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) in Ontario.
- Experience working with or for First Nations and/or Indigenous organizations.
- Demonstrated experience with Northwestern Ontario, including its geography, demographics, people, and cultures.
- Ability to build and maintain professional relationships and work collaboratively with culturally diverse clientele.
- Community-minded and involved in the local community.
Core Competencies:
- Strong technical expertise and attention to detail
- Leadership, mentorship, and relationship building
- Strategic thinking and problem solving
- Clear and professional communication
- Cultural sensitivity, humility, and awareness
- Ability to work independently and in teams
- Integrity, trustworthiness, and sound judgment
- Strong organizational discipline and accountability
Why Join Spruce River?
Work on diverse, meaningful projects that directly impact community infrastructure, economic development, and long-term prosperity within a high-trust environment with autonomy and the ability to shape how projects advance.
Join a flexible, rapidly growing firm where your ideas, processes, and leadership materially influence the direction of the business. Collaborate with experienced engineers, project managers, and advisors while contributing to a culture built on integrity, respect, and delivering real value to clients. Grow within an organization where your ongoing personal and professional development are valued and supported.
We want to hire the right candidate, not just fill a role.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: $90,000.00-$110,000.00 per year
Language:
Location:
- Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5Z6 (required)
Work Location: In person
