Transportation Engineering Manager

Job description

The Opportunity WATT is looking for a senior transportation engineer and people leader to guide our Vancouver Island Transportation Engineering team. This is a high-impact role for someone who enjoys combining technical leadership, team development, client relationships, and business growth. You will shape the local practice, lead complex transportation assignments, strengthen delivery and quality, and build trusted relationships across Vancouver Island. Working closely with WATT’s Transportation Engineering leaders and VP Transportation, you will have meaningful influence over how the team grows and succeeds. What You Will Lead Technical and Project Leadership Serve as the technical lead for the Vancouver Island Transportation Engineering team and provide practical guidance on complex assignments. Lead transportation impact assessments and other complex transportation engineering projects, including scope, client communication, technical direction, schedule, and budget. Establish and maintain consistent technical standards, design guidance, templates, workflows, and quality-assurance practices in collaboration with WATT’s transportation leadership. Prepare high-quality technical reports and provide constructive reviews that improve both the work product and the capability of the team. Apply strong working knowledge of Synchro and VISTRO and guide conceptual or functional design decisions. Clients and Business Growth Build and maintain strong relationships with municipal, provincial, agency, and private-sector clients across Vancouver Island. Lead local business development by identifying opportunities, shaping pursuit strategy, and supporting proposals, scopes, fees and resourcing. Act as an escalation point for client concerns and project delivery challenges, engaging the Practice Lead when appropriate. Translate technical findings into clear, practical recommendations that support municipal decision-making and implementation. Align the pursuit of new work with team capacity, strategic priorities, and sustainable growth. Team and Operational Leadership Lead, mentor, and coach team members, building technical judgment, project leadership, accountability, and client-development skills. Plan workload and resources with other Transportation Engineering Managers and the Practice Lead to balance capacity, utilization, and project needs. Support recruitment, onboarding, training, and career development while identifying future staffing and capability requirements. Provide clear visibility into the team’s performance, risks, and opportunities, and collaborate across WATT on strategic initiatives and major pursuits. What You Bring Registration as a Professional Engineer with Engineers and Geoscientists BC (EGBC), or eligibility for registration in British Columbia. At least eight years of transportation engineering experience spanning transportation planning, traffic operations, and municipal infrastructure projects. Demonstrated success leading people, managing projects, and overseeing technical quality and project delivery. Strong knowledge of British Columbia municipal standards, policies, approval processes, stakeholder engagement, and the local political environment. A record of building client relationships, preparing compelling proposals, identifying opportunities, and securing new work. Proficiency with Synchro and VISTRO; experience with site and roadway design, conceptual or functional design, and CAD skills. Clear communication, sound professional judgment, and a genuine commitment to mentoring and developing others. A valid driver’s licence and the ability to travel throughout Vancouver Island and surrounding regions. What Success Looks Like In Your First Six Months You are established as the trusted technical lead for Transportation Engineering on Vancouver Island. You have built strong relationships with key clients, municipal contacts, and internal partners. Your projects are performing well on quality, budget, schedule, and client satisfaction. You have a clear view of team capacity, capabilities and growth opportunities. You are actively developing staff and contributing to priority pursuits. Within 12 Months Client relationships have expanded and new project opportunities have been secured. The team is growing in technical capability, professional judgment, and project responsibility. You are recognized internally and externally as WATT’s Transportation Engineering leader on Vancouver Island. Ready to Make an Impact? If you are excited by the opportunity to lead a talented team, solve meaningful transportation challenges, and help grow a respected practice on Vancouver Island, we would welcome the chance to meet you.