Senior Civil Engineer

About Us:

This position is with Cogswell Engineering, now affiliated with ZenaTech and Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS) to bring the latest survey and engineering technology processes and resources to deliver world-class service to our world-class clientele.

ZenaTech (Nasdaq: ZENA | FSE: 49Q) is a technology company specializing in AI drones, Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS, and quantum computing solutions for mission-critical business applications. Since 2017, the company has leveraged its software development expertise and expanded its drone design and manufacturing capabilities through ZenaDrone to innovate and enhance customer inspection, monitoring, safety, security, compliance, and surveying processes.

Job Overview:

Cogswell Engineering is seeking an accomplished Senior Civil Engineer to lead our Civil Division. This is a senior leadership role for a licensed Professional Engineer with a proven record in design consulting who is ready to own the performance, growth, and direction of a civil engineering practice.

Reporting to senior management, you will set the technical and strategic direction of the division, lead and develop a team of engineers and technologists, and take full accountability for the delivery of a diverse portfolio of civil infrastructure and land development projects. You will be the senior technical authority and the face of the division to clients, municipalities, and regulators, and you will play a central role in winning new work and building long-term client relationships. Backed by ZenaTech’s drone, survey, and data-capture capabilities, you will have the tools to bring a modern, technology-forward approach to civil design in Atlantic Canada.

Key Responsibilities:

Division Leadership & Strategy

• Lead the Civil Division with full accountability for its technical quality, financial performance, and growth.
• Develop and execute the division’s business plan, service offerings, and annual objectives in alignment with company strategy.
• Manage division resourcing, workload forecasting, and priorities to keep projects staffed and delivered on time.
• Track and report on division metrics including utilization, backlog, project margins, and client satisfaction.
• Participate as a member of the leadership team in company-wide strategic planning and growth initiatives.

Project Management & Delivery

• Serve as Project Manager and/or Engineer of Record on the division’s most complex and high-value projects.
• Oversee the full project lifecycle across the division’s portfolio, from proposal and scoping through design, approvals, tender, and construction administration.
• Hold project teams accountable for scope, schedule, budget, fee management, and risk, and intervene early when projects drift.
• Review, approve, and seal engineering drawings, reports, and specifications.

Technical Excellence & Quality

• Act as the division’s senior technical authority on municipal infrastructure, site development, grading, stormwater management, water and wastewater servicing, and roadway design.
• Establish and enforce engineering standards, QA/QC procedures, and design best practices across the division.
• Resolve complex technical challenges and provide sound engineering judgement on critical decisions.
• Drive the integration of drone, LiDAR, and survey data into design workflows to improve speed, accuracy, and value to clients.

Client Development & Business Growth

• Build and maintain strong relationships with developers, municipalities, government agencies, and industry partners.
• Lead business development for the division: identify opportunities, lead proposals and fee estimates, and present to clients.
• Represent Cogswell Engineering with regulators, approval authorities, and at public and stakeholder meetings.
• Grow repeat business by delivering a consistently excellent client experience.

People Leadership & Mentorship

• Recruit, lead, and retain a high-performing team of engineers, EITs, and technologists.
• Mentor EITs and junior staff toward professional licensure and greater responsibility.
• Conduct performance reviews, set goals, and build clear career development paths.
• Foster a collaborative culture built on accountability, safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications:

Required

• Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) in good standing with Engineers Nova Scotia, with the authority to seal civil engineering work.
• Minimum 5–10 years of progressive civil engineering experience in a design consulting environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading and managing multidisciplinary teams of engineers and technologists.
• Proven project management record across multiple concurrent projects, including scope, schedule, budget, fee, and client management.
• Strong technical expertise in municipal and land development design, with working knowledge of Nova Scotia standards and approval processes (e.g., HRM, Halifax Water, and provincial environmental requirements).
• Advanced proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including proposal writing, technical reporting, and presenting to clients, councils, and regulators.
• Business acumen and a demonstrated ability to win work and grow client relationships.

Assets

• Established client network across Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada.
• Experience managing a department, division, or office within a consulting firm.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) designation.
• Experience with stormwater and hydraulic modelling software (e.g., PCSWMM, HEC-RAS, or equivalent).
• Experience applying drone, LiDAR, or reality-capture data to civil design.

What We Offer:

• A competitive salary of $120,000 – $150,000, commensurate with experience.
• A senior leadership role with real influence over the direction and growth of the Civil Division.
• Access to advanced drone, survey, and data-capture technology through our affiliation with ZenaTech.
• The opportunity to build, shape, and mentor a growing team.

"We are an equal opportunity employer committed to employment equity utilizing hiring practices on merit and business needs. We encourage applications from women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities and all others of legally protected status."