About the program

The Engineering Development Program (EDP) is a 6-year training program for recent engineering graduates. You will get real work experience helping to plan, build and improve Ontario’s highways and bridges.

Three people at a construction site, wearing safety vests and hard hats, looking at a blueprint together

You can work in different engineering fields such as:

The program includes:

  • on-the-job learning
  • formal and informal learning and professional development
  • rotational assignments in:
    • engineering and contracts standards
    • asset management
    • engineering and design
    • construction of provincial highway infrastructure
  • mentorship from licensed engineers who will coach and support you
  • networking with engineering professionals in the private sector, municipalities and transportation agencies
  • support to meet the application requirements for an engineering licence with the Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO), which you need before applying for engineering roles
  • opportunities for career growth in the Ontario Public Service

Who can apply

You may be eligible for the program if you meet all the following requirements:

  • are 16 or over
  • are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident of Canada or have written authorization to work in Canada under the federal Immigration Act
  • have a Social Insurance Number (SIN)
  • have a valid class G driver’s licence or equivalent
  • graduated from university within the last 2 years
  • completed at least a 4-year engineering degree in one of these areas:
    • general civil engineering
    • geotechnical
    • traffic management
    • transportation
    • structural or materials specialties
  • meet the technical and educational requirements to become licensed with the Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO)

How to apply

Engineering Development Program jobs are posted each fall.

  1. Go to the OPS Careers website.
  2. Select “science and engineering” under job category.
  3. Upload your cover letter and resume.
  4. Submit your application.

You can also sign up for email job alerts to get notifications when new Ontario Public Service jobs are posted.

What you will do

You will rotate through different engineering assignments. Your work may include:

Highway design

  • research technical data and conduct site investigations to develop:
    • preliminary engineering and detailed designs
    • contract drawings
    • tender documents for highway, structural, electrical and maintenance projects
  • complete highway geometrics or operations studies
  • help to assess environmental impacts
  • support the ministry in acquiring and managing consultants by:
    • evaluating proposals
    • assessing whether they are meeting the requirements of the assignment
  • prepare preliminary reports, correspondence and presentations for projects related to engineering or transportation systems planning

Traffic

  • collect data, participating in investigations and preparing traffic operations reports on specific areas of a highway
  • prioritize improvements and carry out capacity and collision analyses to identify locations of concern
  • evaluate proposed changes to traffic control practices and policies
  • develop traffic modelling and forecasting
  • participate in developing of innovative solutions to traffic management issues and designing and implementing new control devices

Structural

  • conduct structural condition inspections
  • perform preliminary designs and investigations
  • assist in the design of bridge structures

  • use computer modelling to assess bridge behaviour (for example, using SFRAME and CANBAS)

Geotechnical or Engineering materials

  • assist with pavement condition assessments
  • recommend pavement management strategies for sections of highways that need improvements
  • assess field information including pavement condition and subsoil and aggregate sources
  • prepare preliminary pavement and soils design reports and recommending rehabilitation programming
  • provid input to the regional preventative maintenance program

Construction

  • monitor the day-to-day administration of construction contracts for ministry projects
  • organize staff and review work progress
  • ensure proper records are established and maintained
  • manage quality assurance acceptance testing and inspection
  • assist in acquiring and managing consultants including evaluating proposals

Contact us

If you have questions about the program, email MTO-EDP@ontario.ca.