Design Technician

Overview

The Design Technician prepares construction-ready design packages for Toronto Hydro overhead and underground distribution projects. The role is a blend of civil and electrical utility design: civil scope includes duct banks, vaults/cable chambers, foundations, restoration, and constructability; electrical scope includes overhead pole line design, box construction, spot replacement, voltage conversion, conductor/cable routing, network/radial systems, etc. The position supports projects from preliminary concept through construction execution by producing drawings, quantities, technical documentation, design checks, construction specifications, and scheduling inputs in accordance with Toronto Hydro standards and municipal requirements.

Core Responsibilities (Separated by scope)

1) Electrical portion

Prepare, create, modify, and review civil and electrical design deliverables, including electrical schematics, equipment layouts, detailed construction drawings, mechanical/civil details, and record/as-built drawings.

Develop and verify bills of materials (BOMs) and support cost estimating for design and construction packages.

Use and navigate SAP (as required) to support material tracking, documentation, and project administration.

Perform technical calculations to support design decisions, including voltage drop checks, pole loading analysis, and cable pulling/tension calculations.

Identify and support the requirements to obtain necessary permits and approvals during the design stage.

Prepare and/or review complete construction packages, including drawings, work instructions, planning documentation, construction specifications, scheduling inputs/milestones, and any required operating or regulatory approvals.

Conduct field visits to confirm site conditions, verify asset information, take measurements/photos, and validate design feasibility.

Review and support technical documentation such as plans, surveys, and studies (e.g., load-related information) to ensure designs are accurate and constructible.

Perform technical studies/calculations, equipment specifications and installation standards, and evaluation of equipment options when required. Coordinate with internal teams and external stakeholders by liaising with customers and field staff to resolve questions and keep projects moving.

Provide construction support during execution by responding to field inquiries (RFIs/clarifications), clarifying design intent, and updating/redlining drawings to reflect approved changes and as-built conditions when required.

2) Civil Portion

Prepare, revise, and review civil and electrical design deliverables in MicroStation, including plan/profile drawings, equipment layouts, schematics, construction details, and record/as-built drawings.

Produce drawings in accordance with Subsurface Utility Engineering standards and applicable Toronto Hydro/client requirements.

Calculate and verify invert elevations for congested subsurface utility corridors to develop accurate profiles and cross-sections.

Read, interpret, and validate underground utility records, construction plans, surveys, and field notes to support design decisions.

Correlate utility records, construction plans, and field documentation (sketches/notations/survey files) to confirm and document the presence of underground and/or aerial utilities.

Organize and review all incoming field documents and files for completeness and readiness for design.

Perform initial quality control (QC) on field deliverables and design outputs to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with standards and best practices.

Communicate directly with field staff to resolve questions and obtain clarifications required to finalize designs.

Complete supporting project deliverables as required, including drawings, reports, and Traffic Control Plans (OTM Book 7).

Identify and support the requirements to obtain necessary construction permits and approvals during the design stage.

Prepare and/or review full construction packages, including drawings, work instructions, planning documentation, construction specifications, scheduling inputs/milestones, and required operating/regulatory approvals.

Conduct field visits to verify site conditions, confirm asset information, take measurements/photos, and validate design feasibility.

Review of designs, plans, surveys, studies, and technical calculations to ensure constructability.

Perform technical studies/calculations, cost estimates, equipment specifications and installation standards, RFQ support, and evaluation of equipment options when required.

Coordinate construction projects by liaising with customers and internal stakeholders to keep work moving and resolve issues quickly.

Provide construction support during execution by responding to field inquiries (RFIs/clarifications), clarifying design intent, and updating/redlining drawings to reflect approved changes and as-built conditions when required.

Job Requirements

Education: Diploma in Electrical/Civil Engineering Technology or Degree in Electrical/Civil Engineering. CET designation is an asset (not a job requirement).

Experience: Minimum 3 years of experience in utility design, including advanced proficiency in MicroStation and thorough knowledge of Toronto Hydro standards.

Language: English proficiency is required Skills and Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of 2D and 3D drafting using MicroStation and AutoCAD
• Extensive experience in the full lifecycle of utility design and construction, specifically within the electrical distribution sector
• Specialized familiarity with Structural and Architectural engineering concepts to evaluate the constructability of complex utility assets
• Extensive technical knowledge in overhead utility projects, including Voltage Conversions, Feeder Relief Load Transfers, New Feeder Installations, Line Relocations, and Spot Replacements; experienced in Box Construction and performing technical evaluations for rebuilds to meet overhead clearances from properties and municipal infrastructure
• Extensive technical knowledge in underground utility projects, including Vault Replacements, Radial, Loop, and Network systems, Underground Residential Distribution (URD), Underground Distribution Switches
• Extensive technical knowledge in civil utility projects, including cable chamber installation and rebuilds, underground tunnelling, underground duct bank installation or rerouting, underground secondary service new installations or rebuilds, splice/tap box installations, underground pad-mount/switchgear foundation installations, vault installations, and design of customer-owned underground structures
• Skilled in reviewing and interpreting third-party utility drawings, records, and markups (e.g., Bell, Rogers, TTC, Metrolinx) to identify existing underground assets and incorporate them into design drawings, including evaluating routing conflicts and clearances (over/under crossings).
• Thorough knowledge of Toronto Hydro Standard Design Practice (SDP)
• Thorough knowledge of construction Toronto Hydro Standard
• Thorough knowledge of City of Toronto Municipal Consent Requirements (MCR)
• Experienced with City of Toronto Full stream and short stream cut permit
• Knowledge of Toronto Regional Conservation Area (TRCA) is required
• Thorough knowledge of Metrolinx permitting process. Experienced generating Work Plan Methodology (WPM), General arrangement plan (GA)
• Experienced in the formal process of requesting and securing for utility construction on parklands owned by the City of Toronto; capable of coordinating with municipal departments to obtain the necessary Park Access Agreements
• Familiar with the specific processes and requirements for securing Hydro One permits; experienced in preparing technical submissions for utility work within Hydro One jurisdictions, ensuring all designs meet Hydro One’s safety standards and regulatory clearance requirements.
• Proficient in performing non-linear pole loading analysis and design verification using SpidaCalc, including reviewing loading inputs (conductors, equipment, guying, span data) and confirming pole capacity and compliance with utility standards.
• Thorough knowledge of voltage drop calculations; able to complete manual calculations and proficient with internal Toronto Hydro software
• Thorough knowledge of cable pulling calculations; able to complete manual calculations and proficient with related software (e.g., Pull Planner)
• Advanced proficiency in Navigating Toronto Hydro’s internal GIS
• Proficient in SAP, including creating and managing material orders, tracking inventory for civil/electrical projects, and generating labor work orders to align with project construction schedules
• Comply with safety guidelines by wearing proper equipment, adopts efficient and safe work practices
• Completes work in a timely and efficient manner, be able to work well independently with little supervision and attends work punctually
• Familiar with IHSA (Infrastructure Health & Safety Association) Electrical Utility Safety Rules.
• Completes assigned work while adapting to changing volumes and pace of work
• Cooperative with supervisors and reports and interacts collaboratively and effectively with others
• Valid Class ‘G’ Driver’s license in the Province of Ontario is obligatory

- Employment type: permanent

- Number of Vacancies: 3

- Start date: as soon as possible

Benefits:  A benefits package includes health benefits after 3 months and a company pension plan after 1 year of employment (employees can contribute up to 5% of their salary, and we match it).

Vacation:  2 weeks (10 days) of paid vacation annually after the completion of a probationary period, with vacation pay calculated at 4% of gross earnings.

How to Apply:  Please submit your application by email to , attention to Nima Eslami, Design Department Manager.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $37.76 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Work Location: Hybrid remote in 35 Leek Cres Richmond Hill, ON L4B 4C2 35

Business Address: 1011 Wilson Ave, North York, On, M3K 1G1