Applications Engineering Manager, Nuclear

Join our globally growing team at ATS Industrial Automation where we create complex automation solutions at the highest level that sustainably impact lives around the world.
At ATS, a publicly traded global company with a proud 40-year history, we help drive the future with our factory-wide automation solutions. At ATS Industrial Automation, what we do matters - both to our customers and to their customers. With 1000 skilled employees around the world, we design, build and service mission-critical automated assembly and test solutions for mobility, nuclear and specialty automation. Our customers are leaders in their industries and rely on us to deliver what we promise - on time and on budget. Combined with our broad product portfolio, financial strength and global presence, we provide our customers with the best automation solutions wherever and whenever they need them.

Compensation & Benefits

• Pay Rate: $144,000-$198,000
• Eligible for Annual Incentive Bonus
• Stock Purchase Plan
• 3 Weeks Vacation
• Health Care Benefits + $600 Health Care Spending Account
• Employee Engagement Events (Employee BBQ’s and lunches, weekly treat day, etc.)
• Employee Development Programs

Role Overview

The Manager, Nuclear Applications Engineering provides strategic and operational leadership for the Nuclear Applications Engineering function. The role is responsible for the quality, rigor, and commercial effectiveness of proposals for automation tooling and systems that meet nuclear customer requirements. The Manager leads the review and approval of customer requirements, concepts, risk assessments, costing, and final proposals; partners with Sales and Operations to define opportunity capture and win strategies; and strengthens ATS differentiation, cost competitiveness, and margin performance. The role also defines, monitors, and reports key performance indicators, leads and develops a geographically distributed team, and builds the capability and capacity required to support business growth.

Specific Responsibilities

• Reviews customer RFQs, confirms requirements and priorities, and assigns opportunities to Applications Engineering staff.
• Reviews initial concepts with the Applications Engineer to confirm technical direction, customer alignment, and commercial viability; approves the final concept prior to costing.
• For technically complex opportunities, engages key members of Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Sales, and Operations in risk analysis, proof-of-principle activities, cycle-time development, conceptual layouts, sourcing strategy, and costing.
• Reviews and approves final costing through the Total Cost Commitment (TCC) process, with attention to competitiveness, risk, and margin objectives.
• Works with Finance and Scheduling to complete the Bid Form and approval process and supports timely, accurate commercial decision-making.
• Ensures applications contract review and project kick-off procedures are consistently followed and that commitments are effectively transferred to the execution team.
• Owns the quality, completeness, accuracy, and content of proposals issued by the Nuclear Applications Engineering Department for automation tooling, equipment, systems, and projects.
• Partners with Sales and Operations leadership to define opportunity capture and win strategies, align pursuit priorities, and guide departmental direction and initiatives.
• Leads opportunity strategy reviews with Sales and Operations, including customer value proposition, ATS differentiation, technical approach, competitive positioning, cost strategy, risk, and target margin.
• Travels to customer sites as required to support Front End of the Business (FEOB) sales activities, customer engagement, and proposal development.
• Defines the strategic direction and priorities for Nuclear Applications Engineering in alignment with the commercial nuclear strategy and business growth objectives.
• Assesses customer, competitor, technology, and industry trends to identify opportunities for innovation, differentiation, and strategic advancement for ATS.
• Defines, monitors, analyzes, and reports key performance indicators for the function, including proposal quality, responsiveness, workload, conversion effectiveness, estimating performance, and other agreed business measures.
• Uses KPI trends and proposal outcomes to identify performance gaps, improve decision‑making, and establish clear accountability for results.
• Applies rigor and consistency to the applications and proposal process and recommends practical improvements to standards, tools, and operating procedures.
• Builds team capability and capacity through talent development, resource planning, knowledge sharing, and support for future headcount growth.
• Leads the performance, development, and training of Nuclear Applications Engineering team members in Canada and the United States, including goal setting, coaching, feedback, succession and capability planning, and performance evaluations.
• Ensures that all business activities are performed with the highest ethical standards and in compliance with the ATS Code of Business Conduct.
• Adheres to all health and safety rules and procedures.

Qualifications

Education

• A post‑secondary diploma or degree in mechanical design or engineering.
• Additional qualifications or certifications related to automation, robotics, or machine controls are an asset.

Experience

• 10+ years of progressive experience in engineering, automation, applications engineering, proposal engineering, or a related technical‑commercial environment.
• 5+ years of demonstrated experience in a leadership or management role.
• Industry experience within automation, manufacturing or other highly regulated engineering environments is preferred. Transferable experience from complex technical industries will be considered.
• Experience in the nuclear industry is beneficial but not mandatory. Candidates with strong automation and proposal experience, including experience in similarly complex or highly regulated industries, will be considered.
• Ability to present technical concepts, pursuit strategies, risk considerations, and pricing information clearly and concisely to technical, commercial, and executive audiences is essential.
• Demonstrated experience building, leading, and developing technical teams across various locations, including performance management and fostering collaboration between team members operating in different sites.
• Leads a hybrid team and maintains regular in‑person presence at the Cambridge location, with a minimum expectation of three days per week in the office.
• Familiarity with JD Edwards and SolidWorks is considered an asset.
• Commercial acumen and demonstrated experience partnering with Sales and Operations on opportunity capture, proposal strategy, cost competitiveness, and margin improvement are strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership presence, strategic thinking, sound judgment, and the ability to motivate and mentor team members, establish process rigor, solve complex problems, and drive opportunities forward.

HSE

All managers and directors are responsible for creating and sustaining a positive safety culture and maintaining a safe and healthy workplace. It is the responsibility of each manager to ensure that employees receive regular training regarding health, safety, and environmental matters. Each manager is also accountable to ensure that HSE matters are addressed in a timely manner and that compliance to legislative and conformance to corporate requirements are maintained.

Manager/Director responsibilities for Health, Safety and Environment include:

• Demonstrate leadership in Health, Safety and Environment compliance.
• Advise employees of the existence of any potential or actual health and safety risks and provide appropriate instruction for safe work.
• Hold team members accountable for health, safety, and environmental compliance as part of the annual performance review process, apply progressive discipline as appropriate for health, safety and/or environmental violations, and implement appropriate corrective measures for unsafe conditions and unsafe acts.
• Ensure that the requirements of the health, safety and environment management system are implemented and maintained.
• Carry out hazard assessments, inspections, and audits as required by legislative framework and/or corporate requirements.
• Ensure that training is provided to all departmental employees under the established training matrix.
• Ensure that appropriate equipment, materials, and protective devices are provided and maintained in safe condition.
• Provide information, instruction, and supervision to employees.
• Take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of employees.
• Support activities and initiatives outlined by the Joint Health and Safety Committee.

Why should you join ATS Industrial Automation?

• Be a part of an engaged, empowered and innovative global workforce
• We offer a robust total rewards package- Competitive starting salaries, comprehensive health and dental benefits, overtime pay, employee bonus, RSP matching, Employee Share Purchase Program
• We provide awesome work perks such as treat days, gourmet coffee and beverages, subsidized breakfast and lunches in our cafeteria, employee referral bonuses and lots more.
• We are intentional about your professional growth and development through internal career opportunities and our educational reimbursement program.

The Compensation offered will be based on the local job market and may vary depending on factors such as the job-related knowledge, skills, experience of the selected candidate, as well as other objective business considerations. Subject to these considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, such as an annual cash incentive in addition to a full range of medical, retirement, and/or other benefits. Details of these benefit plans will be provided when the selected job candidate receives an offer of employment.

This role represents an existing vacancy within the organization.

ATS is in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act (AODA), 2005 and will, upon request, assist those who may require specific accommodations due to personal disability. We would ask those who require assistance to notify our offices as soon as possible if accommodation is necessary.

The ATS applicant tracking system may utilize AI software with pre‑defined, rule‑based filters to organize and manage application materials. Rule‑based filters operate solely on fixed criteria and do not perform autonomous evaluation or generate independent recommendations. All hiring decisions continue to involve human review and judgment.

If you're excited about this role, but do not meet all the qualifications listed above, you are still encouraged to apply.