Project Development Manager Jobs in Waterloo, ON

Come Build Your Career at Aecon!

Aecon delivers some of the most complex and impactful infrastructure projects - from transformative transportation networks to critical energy, industrial and nuclear programs. The projects we build connect communities and power future generations. With deep roots in North America and a strong footprint internationally, Aecon brings global expertise and proudly serves public and private sector clients through its Construction and Concessions segment.

Safety Always is not only our #1 core value - it is the standard that anchors our culture. We believe the most ambitious projects deserve the most committed people. At Aecon, you won't just build your career - you'll help build what matters to enable future generations to thrive.

At Aecon, you can count on:

• Safety Always. Our number one core value. The safety of our people, projects, partners, and stakeholders is our priority focus - today and always.
• Integrity. We lead by example, with humility and courage.
• Accountability. We're passionate about delivering on our commitments.
• Inclusion. We provide opportunities where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to contribute fully.

We deliver infrastructure with purpose, and our people are at the heart of everything we do. Aecon employees are incredibly proud to build some of the most impactful infrastructure of this generation - we call it Aecon Proud.

At Aecon we:

• Ensure you and your family receive the services and benefits needed to support your mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
• Are intentional when it comes to investing in your development. We help you build your career and advance your skills through our Aecon University, tuition reimbursement, and Leadership Programs.
• Are committed to creating work environments focused on mutual respect, teamwork, collaboration, and new ideas, through meaningful initiatives, training, partnerships with Veteran groups, our Aecon Women in Trades and diversity programs, as well as our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), to ensure we are building with top talent and harnessing our collective strengths within every aspect of our culture.
• Operate responsibly by managing risk, safety, and environmental considerations across all our projects and surrounding communities.

Our success is built on the passion, expertise, and dedication of our people. Together, we embrace strong execution, innovation, and continuous improvement - values that come to life through the unique talents and collaborative spirit of every team member. If you're inspired to make a difference through future-building projects, join our best-in-class team.

What is the Opportunity?

The Quality Manager is responsible for leading the quality strategy for new nuclear development projects during the bid and definition phases, working closely with clients, partners, and internal stakeholders to establish the quality approach, project-specific requirements, and delivery expectations. This role ensures quality requirements are defined early and translated into bid submissions, execution strategies, design inputs, supplier requirements, and project governance frameworks in alignment with nuclear regulatory requirements, codes, standards, and contractual obligations.

As a key member of the Project Management Team, the Quality Manager provides leadership across project development activities, ensuring quality is embedded in client discussions, partner interfaces, bid planning, scope definition, procurement strategies, and execution readiness. The role is critical to establishing a credible, compliant, and delivery-focused quality foundation before project implementation begins.

What You'll Do Here

Bid-Phase Quality Strategy, Requirements Development & Project Governance

• Lead development of the project quality strategy for new nuclear opportunities during the bid and definition phases, aligned to client expectations, partner delivery models, CSA N286, NQA-1, ASME, regulatory commitments, and contractual requirements
• Work with clients, partners, Engineering, Procurement, and Project Management to define project-specific quality requirements and ensure they are incorporated into bid submissions, execution strategies, design criteria, procurement documents, and partner scopes
• Establish the quality governance framework, documentation expectations, records strategy, and oversight model required to support successful project execution and future regulatory and client assurance needs
• Apply graded quality principles based on safety significance, first-of-a-kind risk, constructability, delivery model, and project complexity

New Build Execution, Fabrication & Field Quality Oversight

• Provide day-to-day quality leadership across new nuclear construction, modularization, fabrication, installation, and testing activities
• Ensure work is executed in accordance with approved procedures, drawings, specifications, and hold/witness points
• Lead quality presence in the field through inspections, surveillances, and coaching of supervisors and craft
• Partner with Construction, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Project Management to prevent defects, protect schedule certainty, and reduce rework on new nuclear projects

Nonconformance & Corrective Action Management

• Oversee identification, documentation, and resolution of nonconformances
• Lead root cause analysis (RCA) and corrective/preventive action implementation
• Ensure timely closure of corrective actions with demonstrated effectiveness
• Identify trends and drive systemic improvements across project execution

Supplier, Fabrication & Subcontractor Quality Assurance

• Support evaluation of partners, suppliers, and subcontractors during bid and project definition activities to ensure quality expectations, program maturity, and oversight requirements are understood early
• Work with clients, partners, Procurement, and Engineering to define quality requirements for major suppliers, fabrication scopes, and subcontracted work
• Ensure bid packages, technical specifications, and partner or vendor scopes clearly reflect applicable quality obligations, inspection requirements, documentation expectations, and acceptance criteria
• Identify quality-related delivery risks in partner and supplier strategies and support mitigation planning before project execution begins

Audits, Assessments & Regulatory Interface

• Support development of audit, surveillance, and assurance strategies appropriate for the proposed project delivery model and quality requirements
• Engage with clients, partners, and other external stakeholders to align on quality expectations, assurance approaches, and readiness requirements during bid and definition phases
• Act as a primary point of contact for quality-related discussions with client representatives and partner organizations during project development
• Help identify potential quality or regulatory gaps early and support actions to address them before execution planning is finalized

New Nuclear Project Integration & Interface Management

• Work closely with Engineering, Project Management, Procurement, Commercial, and partner teams to embed quality requirements across bid development, scope definition, delivery strategy, and execution planning
• Support development of quality-related inputs to project risk assessments, partnering strategies, and governance models
• Provide input into planning, sequencing, and delivery strategy from a quality and assurance perspective
• Help define the quality foundations needed for future system turnover, commissioning readiness, and handover planning

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead and develop a team of quality professionals (Quality Engineers, Supervisors, Inspectors, Coordinators)
• Ensure personnel are trained, qualified, and assigned appropriate quality program roles
• Foster a strong nuclear safety and quality culture across the project
• Provide coaching to field leadership on procedural adherence and quality expectations

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Direct oversight of Quality Engineers, Quality Supervisors, Inspectors, and Coordinators
• Functional leadership to project personnel on quality-related matters
• Influence across cross-functional teams (Construction, Engineering, Procurement)

What You Bring to the Team

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related discipline
• Professional certification (P.Eng., CQE, ASQ, etc.) considered an asset
• 10+ years of progressive experience in quality, engineering, or construction within nuclear or other highly regulated project environments
• Demonstrated experience developing quality strategies, requirements, and governance approaches for nuclear new build, refurbishment, major modifications, or other complex highly regulated project scopes
• Experience supporting large, complex EPC or infrastructure projects, with strong preference for new nuclear development, first-of-a-kind delivery, or major nuclear construction programs
• Strong understanding of nuclear codes, standards, regulatory expectations, and QA program requirements applicable to new nuclear projects
• Strong experience translating regulatory, client, and partner quality expectations into practical project requirements, governance models, and delivery strategies
• Ability to work effectively in a field-driven, fast-paced project environment
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills
• High attention to detail with strong documentation and traceability discipline
• Combination of site, office, and fabrication facility environments
• Regular travel required across project locations, vendor sites, and offices
• Field presence required to support construction and execution activities
• Champion a strong nuclear safety and quality culture
• Demonstrate accountability, integrity, and procedural discipline
• Act with a "right-first-time" mindset
• Collaborate across functions to achieve project outcomes

Reason for vacancy: New

Pay Range:  $140,000 - $170,000

Individual pay is determined based on several factors, including work location, education, experience, unique skills and job conditions. Other considerations may include certifications, specialized training, and the complexity or scope of the role.

Aecon fosters belonging within and across our organization. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities and considering all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws.