Design Development Lead Jobs in Toronto, ON (NOW HIRING)

Are you a relationship-driven Structural Engineer looking to take your career to the next level?

R.J. Burnside & Associates Limited (Burnside) is seeking a client-focused Structural Lead to join our Building Design Team. This is a high-impact role for someone who thrives on building client relationships, developing new business, and mentoring others while contributing to innovative and meaningful building projects across Ontario and Manitoba.

We already have strong technical talent on our team. What we’re looking for is someone who can connect with people, both clients and colleagues, and help us grow our presence through exceptional service, trusted advice, and leadership.

You’ll work directly with both public and private sector clients on a range of exciting structural projects, including industrial facilities, commercial and residential developments, public works buildings, and transportation-related infrastructure.

What You’ll Do:

• Own client relationships, cultivate trust, identify opportunities, and maintain long-term partnerships.
• Lead structural projects from concept through construction, serving as either Lead Engineer or Project Manager depending on scope and complexity.
• Act as a strategic advisor to clients by understanding their needs and aligning solutions with their goals.
• Drive business development by supporting proposal preparation and identifying new project opportunities.
• Mentor and support junior engineers and designers, helping to develop the next generation of talent.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across Burnside offices to deliver successful, integrated project outcomes.
• Conduct and review structural designs, drawings, reports, specifications, and construction phase services.
• Prepare various documents including feasibility studies, condition assessments, and technical submissions.
• Ensure project success by managing schedules, budgets, resources, and client communications.

What You Bring:

• P.Eng. designation in Ontario and ideally 10+ years of experience in structural design and consulting.
• We will also consider candidates with a strong technical background in structural design and consulting who may not hold a P.Eng. designation.
• Proven experience in client management and business development in a consulting environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in Structural Engineering or a related field.
• Strong working knowledge of structural systems, building codes, and design standards.
• Experience with condition assessments, design development, and project execution.
• Proficiency with structural design software and Microsoft Office tools.
• Strong understanding of municipal and provincial approval processes.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, communicate effectively, and manage competing priorities.
• Excellent proposal and report writing skills.
• A collaborative mindset with a proactive, solutions-oriented approach.

This is more than a technical role, it's a chance to influence how we grow, how we serve clients, and how we develop our people. If you're passionate about building structures and building relationships, we’d love to connect.

Salary Range: $115,000 - $130,000

The final compensation offered will be based on factors such as relevant experience, skills, internal equity, and market conditions.

Position Type: New Position

Why Choose Burnside?

Are you interested in working for an employer with a 5-decade track record of building a great reputation both internally with their staff and externally with their clients? The Burnside team is a supportive group of colleagues that work together to provide value and service to our clients, while extending care to each other. We know that our employees are our greatest asset, and thus we strive to provide a positive work/life balance.

We offer:

• A collaborative culture where friendship, honesty and respect are part of our core values and practices
• Flexible working hours, including hybrid working opportunities
• A competitive compensation and benefits package
• RRSP company matching plan
• Career growth and professional development opportunities
• Potential for performance-driven bonusing
• Active social committees
• A welcoming, positive, and inclusive work environment

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to valuing diversity in the workplace and we welcome resumes from all qualified candidates. Burnside will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the entire recruitment, assessment, and selection process, as required.  If you are a person with a disability and require an accommodation during these processes, please contact our Human Resources department.

Company Profile – More about us:

 Founded in 1970, R.J. Burnside & Associates Limited is a growing values-driven Canadian employee-owned, led and operated Civil and Environmental Engineering Consulting Firm with over 450 professional, technical and support staff. Our consistent commitment towards investing in technology advancements and training, in addition to encouraging and promoting professional development, has enabled our firm to meet our ongoing and stated goal of continual improvement.

We actively seek to develop relationships with a broad and diversified client base in the Public, Private and Indigenous sectors. We work on a variety of projects throughout Canada, with 12 office locations (11 in Ontario and one in Manitoba).

Burnside has expertise in many technical disciplines beyond our core civil engineering focus including   air and noise, asset management, bridges & culverts, building sciences, environmental planning and ecology, GIS, hydrogeology, land development, landscape architecture, municipal engineering, municipal drainage, solid waste, stormwater management, structures, traffic, transportation planning and design, water and wastewater and well drilling & diagnostics.

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