ROLE SUMMARY
The Senior Design Technician – Municipal Engineering is responsible for the development, implementation, and oversight of municipal infrastructure designs, drafting standards, and CAD technologies. This role provides advanced technical expertise in AutoCAD Civil 3D and other design software, ensuring that engineering drawings and deliverables meet the highest standards of accuracy, efficiency, and compliance with municipal and provincial regulations.
In addition to leading the preparation of complex engineering designs, the Senior Design Technician is a key contributor to CAD standardization, technology advancements, and the continuous improvement of drafting processes within the department. This role also involves mentoring junior design technicians, assisting with software upgrades, and driving the integration of leading-edge CAD solutions across multiple disciplines.
Key Aspects of the Role:
- Provide advanced technical leadership in CAD drafting and design for municipal engineering projects.
- Oversee the creation, implementation, and maintenance of CAD standards to ensure uniformity and efficiency across projects.
- Act as a subject matter expert in AutoCAD Civil 3D, GIS applications, and emerging CAD technologies.
- Develop and support training programs for junior staff and project teams on best practices in CAD and design workflows.
- Research and implement leading-edge CAD tools and automation technologies to improve efficiency.
- Ensure that engineering drawings meet quality control requirements and regulatory compliance.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Design & Drafting Leadership:
- Develop detailed, high-quality engineering drawings for municipal infrastructure, including:
- Roadway alignments, grading, and intersection layouts
- Stormwater drainage, water distribution, and wastewater collection systems
- Lot grading and earthworks balancing
- Optimize AutoCAD Civil 3D workflows, ensuring the effective use of:
- Corridors, alignments, and profiles
- Surface modeling and grading tools
- Pipe and structure networks
- Material take-offs and volume calculations
- Perform quality control reviews of design drawings, ensuring accuracy and compliance with municipal, provincial, and industry standards.
- Assist engineers and project managers with design feasibility, constructability reviews, and value engineering initiatives.
CAD Standards Development & Implementation:
- Lead the development, documentation, and enforcement of CAD standards, ensuring consistency across all projects.
- Create templates, dynamic blocks, layer management protocols, and libraries to improve efficiency.
- Establish best practices for file organization, plotting, annotation styles, and sheet setups.
- Ensure CAD workflows comply with municipal, provincial, and industry standards such as TAC, APEGA, and ASET guidelines.
Technology & Innovation:
- Research and implement new CAD technologies, automation tools, and scripting solutions (such as Dynamo, Lisp, Python, or AI-assisted drafting).
- Work with IT and engineering leadership to evaluate and deploy CAD software updates and system improvements.
- Explore GIS integration, cloud-based collaboration tools, and BIM applications for municipal engineering projects.
- Support the adoption of 3D visualization and digital twin technology for design and planning purposes.
Training & Mentorship:
- Provide mentorship and technical support to junior and intermediate design technicians.
- Lead internal CAD training sessions and workshops to enhance staff proficiency.
- Assist in onboarding new staff with CAD tools, standards, and best practices.
- Develop training materials, user guides, and knowledge-sharing resources for the drafting team.
Collaboration & Quality Control:
- Work closely with engineers, surveyors, project managers, and field teams to ensure seamless project execution.
- Assist in preparing engineering reports, quantity take-offs, and design calculations.
- Review contractor submittals, as-built drawings, and field design modifications for accuracy.
- Support project teams in preparing tender and construction documents.
- Assist in permitting applications and municipal approvals, ensuring all documentation meets regulatory requirements.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Assist in business development efforts, providing CAD support for proposals and presentations.
- Participate in industry networking, conferences, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
- Stay up to date with emerging trends, regulations, and innovations in municipal engineering design.
- Other duties as required.