Director of Engineering

AFL Telecommunications•Surrey, BC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

At AFL, we don’t just build network infrastructure—we power the connections that make modern life possible. Our work enables faster communication, digital access, and economic opportunity, helping communities grow and innovation move forward. We succeed because of our people. We foster a collaborative, inclusive culture where every voice is valued and every individual is empowered to contribute. You won’t be just another employee—you’ll be part of a team that supports your development and celebrates shared achievements. We are hiring a Director of Engineering to join AFL’s leadership team. Reporting to the VP – Engineering & Construction (E&C), this role provides strategic and operational leadership of AFL’s Canadian Engineering organization, driving end‑to‑end engineering delivery across all design disciplines. The Director ensures high‑quality, timely, and cost‑effective outputs that support national fiber network build programs and emerging technologies. As a Director of Engineering, you’ll lead multi‑disciplinary engineering teams and oversee design standards, production management, quality assurance, tool and process modernization, and the performance of external engineering vendors and subcontractors. As a key member of the E&C Leadership Team, you’ll drive functional excellence, support organizational transformation, and ensure Engineering is tightly integrated with Project Controls, Construction, Supply Chain, and Finance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electrical, Civil, or related field); P.Eng. designation preferred.
Minimum 10 years engineering experience in telecommunications, utilities, or civil infrastructure.
Minimum 5 years leadership experience managing multi‑disciplinary engineering teams.
Proven experience with large‑scale FTTx, OSP/ISP design standards, utility joint‑use requirements, and permitting frameworks.
Strong understanding of engineering financials, productivity management, and operational KPIs.
Experience implementing/overseeing engineering tools (GIS, CAD, design management systems).
Experience working with subcontractors, vendors, and external engineering firms.
Exceptional leadership, coaching, and team‑building capabilities.
Strong analytical, financial and problem‑solving abilities with a data‑driven decision‑making approach.
Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence across functions and executive levels.
Ability to manage complex priorities, multi‑region operations, and high‑volume production environments.
Proficiency with MS Office Suite, CAD/GIS tools, and project management systems.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Engineering or related field.
PMP designation or training in project management methodologies.
Experience in supply chain/sourcing processes related to engineering materials and standards.
Familiarity with ISO, PMI, and utility regulatory compliance frameworks.

Responsibilities

Lead, mentor, and develop Engineering Managers, Supervisors, and technical staff, fostering a high‑performance culture focused on quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Oversee organizational structure, resource planning, workforce capacity, and recruitment to meet portfolio delivery needs.
Ensure alignment of Engineering operations with E&C strategic objectives and business goals.
Build strong team engagement and drive coaching, performance management, and career development.
Establish and maintain engineering design standards, processes, specifications, and quality benchmarks across all regions.
Oversee day‑to‑day engineering production, including FTTx, OSP, ISP, make‑ready, power utility joint‑use, and civil design, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and on‑time delivery.
Ensure compliance with client technical requirements, regulatory rules, permitting processes, and construction standards.
Drive resolution of engineering escalations, technical issues, and constraints impacting project schedules or cost models.
Implement and govern quality assurance frameworks, including audits, peer reviews, and corrective action mechanisms.
Develop and maintain KPIs related to quality, throughput, rework, and cycle‑times; ensure trend visibility and mitigation plans.
Standardize engineering documentation, version control, and compliance with industry standards (e.g., IEEE, CSA, utility joint‑use requirements).
Partner with Project Controls and Finance to support forecasting, budgeting, rate governance, productivity analysis, invoicing controls, and engineering cost performance.
Ensure engineering activities support accurate forecasting of labor, materials, and subcontractor usage.
Approve hours, expenses, subcontractor billing, and client engineering‑related invoices.
Collaborate with Construction, Project Management, Supply Chain/Purchasing, and Project Controls to ensure alignment between engineering outputs and downstream execution.
Support integrated master schedules by providing accurate engineering timelines, risks, and interdependencies.
Strengthen relationships with internal and external stakeholders including clients, municipalities, utilities, and regulatory bodies.
Oversee engineering subcontractors, ensuring contract compliance, performance monitoring, clear scopes of work, and quality delivery.
Support vendor onboarding, capability assessment, and continual improvement initiatives.
Lead modernization of engineering tools, technology, and workflows (e.g., CAD platforms, GIS, design automation, Vitruvi or equivalent PM systems).
Drive automation to reduce manual processes and improve data quality, throughput, and traceability.
Champion LEAN principles and process optimization across the engineering lifecycle.
Protect confidential information and uphold organizational values.
Promote and adhere to Environmental, Health & Safety policies.
Perform additional duties as required to support organizational needs.
May be required to perform other ancillary or related duties to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.