Hear What Our People Have to Say

How would you explain your job to someone not in engineering?

To put it simply, my job is to make sure that buildings are safe. As a structural engineer, I work with building codes and applicable material design standards to determine what types of loads a structure will be subjected to and ensure that it is designed to be both safe and comfortable for its occupants.

How do you contribute to the built environment, to make a building better?

We work hand in hand with incredibly talented architects and designers who are always pushing the envelope to enhance the spaces that we live in. As a structural engineer, my goal is to support these individuals in evolving a beautiful space from a concept to a reality.

Is there a project you are particularly proud of?

The one project I always brag to friends and family about is the TD sign upgrade project at 161 Bay Street. Anyone who is familiar with Toronto’s skyline would recognize the bright TD cube which caps the giant white finial projecting from this building’s roof. The scope of the project was to replace an old backlit sign with a modern LED sign, which was approximately 40% larger, and allowed the TD logo to be completely customizable to celebrate various holidays and other monumental days. Beyond the recognizability of this project, what really made this project interesting was the highly complex and unique wind loading conditions that needed to be considered for the design.

Can you describe a typical day?

For me, most days are spent at the office. However, no day is ever ‘typical’. Most days, I spend my time in the office either working on reports, analytical models, or preparing structural drawing packages. Other days, I’m on site with contractors reviewing the construction of one of my designs. Often, I’ll be coordinating externally with design teams to brainstorm solutions on an ongoing project or to discuss the scope and feasibility of a future project.

What is it like working at Engineering Link?

The best part of working at Engineering Link is the exposure you get. Personally, working on small and medium sized projects, I get brought on to a project early on and am involved from schematic design through to project close out. It allows me to have a lot of ownership over my designs, and to gain a knowledge of building systems as a whole, and not just the individual components. It’s a great company to become a well-rounded engineer.

What does mentoring look like at Engineering Link?

Theres a lot of different shapes that mentoring comes in at Engineering Link. Everyone here wants to see each other succeed, and that mentality has fostered an open and collaborative environment. We have a lot of people with a variety of experiences and skillsets and there’s a mantra of “if I don’t know the answer, I know someone who will”. We are constantly sharing our knowledge and lessons we’ve learned along the way with each other and your teammates here are ready and willing to help you be a better engineer.

How would you explain your job to someone not in engineering?

I help buildings stay safe, comfortable, and durable by making sure their outer “skin” (walls, windows, roofs and concrete structures, such as parking garages) keeps water and air out. It is a bit like being a doctor for a building: identifying problems, figuring out the cause, and prescribing solutions to keep it healthy.

Can you describe a typical day?

No two days are the same. Some days I am on-site inspecting construction or assessing an existing building. Other days, I am at my desk working on a design or reports. There is usually a mix of problem-solving, communication with clients, contractors or colleagues, and detailed technical work.

What is it like working at Engineering Link?

Working at Engineering Link is collaborative and supportive. Everyone brings different strengths, and there’s a real focus on sharing knowledge. The environment is professional but friendly, so it’s easy to ask questions and learn from one another.

Is there an achievement you are particularly proud of?

I am especially proud of achieving my Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation, which I earned entirely through my experience at Engineering Link. The opportunities the senior leadership team provided me helped me grow; from gaining hands-on site exposure to developing technical expertise and project management skills, all gave me the foundation I needed to reach this milestone. It is rewarding to know that the work I have done here directly supported my professional growth and licensure.

How do our projects create opportunities for technical and soft-skill learning?

From a technical perspective, we deal with a variety of materials, systems and site conditions (new or existing), so there is constant exposure to new challenges. Just as important are the soft skills we develop by working closely with clients and contractors. Every project is a team effort where we’re all working toward the same goal – solving problems and delivering the best outcome for the building. That collaboration builds communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills that are just as valuable as the technical knowledge.

What advice would you give to university students pursuing a career in building envelope?

Stay curious and keep asking “why.” Building envelope work is detail-oriented and understanding the reasoning behind how systems are designed or how materials behave and interact with other materials is key. Get as much field experience as you can early on, seeing how details get built will give you perspective that textbooks can’t.