Sheet Metal Design Development Trade Specialist

The Sheet Metal Design Development Trades Specialist will support the Design Management Team in developing functional, coordinated, and cost-effective ductwork and air distribution designs. This role works closely with project managers, engineers, VDC teams, and site teams to ensure constructability, airflow performance, and installation efficiency, while reducing coordination issues and supporting successful execution across complex mechanical projects.

Why This Role Matters to Modern Niagara

This role is important to Modern Niagara because it brings practical sheet metal and airside expertise into the design phase, helping ensure duct systems are coordinated, buildable, and efficient before fabrication and installation begin. By connecting design intent with shop, field, and VDC execution, it reduces rework, improves installation sequencing, and supports stronger cost and schedule performance. It also strengthens Modern Niagara’s ability to deliver high-quality design-assist and design-build solutions across complex HVAC projects.

Key Impact / Purpose

• Drive early-stage ductwork and air distribution design decisions that improve constructability, coordination, and installation efficiency.
• Reduce project risk, cost, and schedule impacts by identifying routing conflicts, space constraints, and value engineering opportunities before fabrication begins.
• Support efficient, code-compliant HVAC airside systems through close collaboration with engineers, VDC teams, project managers, and field leaders.
• Improve delivery certainty by aligning design intent, prefabrication needs, and field execution requirements across the project lifecycle.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Leadership: Provide leadership in sheet metal design and construction, ensuring ductwork systems align with project goals, constructability requirements, and installation best practices.
• Pre-Construction: Participate in estimating turnover and pre-construction meetings to provide trade-specific input on duct routing, equipment layout, and installation sequencing.
• Design Review: Review consultant submissions for duct sizing, air distribution layouts, and mechanical room arrangements to ensure performance and buildability.
• Value Engineering: Propose alternative duct routing, fabrication approaches, or material strategies to optimize cost, schedule, and installation efficiency.
• Coordination: Lead and participate in design development meetings to ensure duct systems are coordinated with piping, electrical, architectural, and structural elements.
• VDC/BIM Support: Interface with VDC teams to ensure 3D models and shop drawings reflect duct dimensions, access requirements, insulation allowances, and installation clearances.
• Clash Detection: Proactively identify and resolve conflicts between ductwork and other building systems during the design phase before fabrication and installation.
• Change Management: Support scope development and pricing for Design Revision Requests (DRRs) related to ductwork and air distribution systems.
• Compliance: Ensure designs support applicable code requirements, SMACNA standards, and project-specific performance criteria.
• Page-Turns: Conduct page-turn reviews with project execution teams to confirm design documents meet fabrication and field installation requirements.
• Procurement & Fabrication Planning: Assist in developing material take-offs, equipment connection details, and fabrication planning for long-lead or custom airside components.
• Cross-Trade Coordination: Work closely with piping, electrical, controls, and structural teams to coordinate equipment connections, ceiling space, supports, and access requirements.

Must haves

• Certified Journeyperson Sheet Metal Worker or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years of experience in commercial, institutional, or healthcare sheet metal construction, with a focus on ductwork coordination and pre-construction.
• Technical Knowledge: Strong understanding of HVAC air distribution systems, duct design principles, airside coordination, and installation practices.
• Design-Build Experience: Experience in design-assist or design-build mechanical projects is a significant asset.
• Drawing Interpretation: Ability to interpret and review mechanical, reflected ceiling, architectural, and structural drawings.
• Software: Proficiency in Bluebeam, Microsoft Office, and Navisworks (or other BIM software).
• Problem Solving: Strong ability to identify constructability, coordination, and fabrication challenges early in the design phase.

This is a new position. Expected annual compensation; $100,000 - $130,000

Modern Niagara offers a competitive total compensation package including:

• Performance based bonus opportunities
• Defined Contribution Pension Plan with a generous employer contribution
• Flexible Health and Dental benefits with tiered options to meet the needs of you and your family
• An annual health spending account to support your overall wellness
• 24/7 confidential support through our Employee and Family Assistance Program with access to comprehensive resources and professional services
• A competitive vacation package with additional vacation granted throughout your tenure with the organization.
• Employer Paid Parental Leave Top Up
• Annual Community Day dedicated to volunteering and giving back to the communities where we live and work
• Corporate Discounts through various vendors across Canada for programs such as fitness, mobile phones, travel, home and auto insurance and many others

Here at Modern Niagara, because we know our people are the best in the industry, we pride ourselves on providing a total compensation package that rewards employees for their hard work and supports employees and their families in their overall wellbeing.

About Modern Niagara

Who We Are

Modern Niagara helps building owners, managers, and general contractors meet the mechanical, and electrical needs of their buildings across Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Southwestern Ontario, and Ottawa. We are committed to having a positive and meaningful impact on Canada’s infrastructure — and on the communities where we live, learn, work, and heal. We build for life.

Our Culture & Values

We value passion, initiative, determination, professionalism, and teamwork. Health and safety are embedded in everything we do, and our award-winning safety culture consistently performs well above industry standards.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Modern Niagara

We are committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization where everyone has access to opportunity, feels a sense of belonging, and can thrive. We actively work to remove barriers faced by members of equity-seeking groups (including women, Indigenous, Black, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, people with disabilities, and newcomers to Canada) in the construction industry. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and lived experiences and are committed to a barrier-free hiring process. If you require accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us at [email protected] so we can make appropriate arrangements.

We appreciate every applicant’s interest in joining Modern Niagara. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.