At MacLean Engineering, we’re not just building machines - we’re redefining the future of mining through innovation. We’re seeking a Team Lead, Vehicle Automation Applications to help shape the next generation of underground automation. If you’re passionate about advancing engineering excellence and want to be at the forefront of real-world autonomy, this role is for you.
The Position:
As the leader of one of our vehicle automation teams within the Telematics, Automation, and Controls Division, you’ll play a pivotal role in defining the development roadmap and technology stack for applications, robotics, and mechanization across six product lines. Working closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams, you’ll drive progress in vehicle autonomy and software standardization across our fleet while mentoring and empowering your team in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
This newly formed team is building on MacLean’s strong robotics foundation and advancing our vision for a truly zero-entry mine. The successful candidate will operate at the cutting edge of a rapidly evolving technology sector, developing innovative solutions for real-world mining challenges with a focus on safety-critical resilient autonomy, real-time perception, and adaptive control.
Responsibilities and Duties
Technical Leadership and Mentorship
- Lead a team of engineers in the design, development, and deployment of advanced autonomous robotics features, fostering technical excellence, innovation, and cross-functional collaboration.
- Provide hands-on guidance and mentorship in autonomy software, control algorithms, and robotics integration, ensuring scalable, maintainable solutions and knowledge transfer across the team.
- Define and refine modular control system architectures leveraging Ethernet and CAN protocols (including CANOpen and J1939), enabling seamless data flow, sensor integration, and real-time robotic operation.
Technical Development
- Lead the design, development, and optimization of autonomous robotic systems for complex mobile platforms, covering perception, mission-level planning, real-time reasoning, and low-level control, with a focus on robust deployment in underground mining environments.
- Architect and implement autonomy software stacks using ROS 2, simulation environments (Gazebo/Isaac), and model-based design tools (MATLAB/Simulink), applying advanced control strategies such as MPC, sensor fusion, and adaptive actuation, validated through HIL/SIL and digital twin testing.
- Integrate and evaluate advanced robotic platforms and emerging technologies, defining modular system architectures and real-time communication protocols (UDP, MQTT, DDS) to enable scalable, maintainable, and production-ready autonomy solutions.
Documentation and Compliance
- Maintain detailed technical documentation of autonomy architectures, control algorithms, and robotic system configurations to support reproducibility, troubleshooting, and handover.
- Ensure all robotics and autonomy solutions meet relevant safety and regulatory standards, including ISO-13849, and adhere to industry best practices for operational reliability.
First Year Goals:
People: Foster teamwork and create team identity by establishing the new team, a collection of SMEs in related domains, as a cohesive unit, aligned on shared goals. Leverage knowledge sharing across overlapping functions in differing domains as well as collaboration in shared domains to mature the team and its interdepartmental impact.
Products:
- Develop a deep understanding of MacLean Engineering’s underground and surface mining product lines and their automation roadmap, including current capabilities and future opportunities for vehicle applications.
- Advance the design and implementation of next-generation vehicle automation applications integrating with our autonomous tramming stack to expand automation capability across multiple product lines.
- Lead the maturation of an existing vehicle automation application from prototype to market-ready release, ensuring robustness, safety, and scalability across both EV and diesel carrier platforms.
Qualifications: The ideal candidate will possess strong communication skills, leadership abilities, and problem-solving capabilities. They will demonstrate organizational skills, discipline, an aptitude for proactive learning, and a positive attitude. Additionally, they should meet the following qualifications:
- Minimum 7 years of experience with the job responsibilities and duties described above.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills in English; proficiency in other languages, primarily Spanish and French, is an asset.
- Bachelor's degree or higher in engineering, computer science, or a related field is an asset.
- Professional Engineer (P.Eng) license or similar certification.
- Mobile vehicle telemetry and Mining experience are an asset
This position will be based from our Cambridge office.
About Us: Founded in 1973 in Ontario, Canada, MacLean Engineering is the world’s largest Canadian-based manufacturer of underground mining equipment. While continuing to expand both our product range and global footprint, we remain privately owned and committed to the founder’s original design principles: safety, productivity, and enduring quality. Our company delivers mobile equipment solutions for both underground and surface mining, supported by unit-of-one manufacturing expertise and a global service network.
Driven by a strong commitment to safety, productivity, and customer support, MacLean serves mining operations worldwide through branches in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Peru, South Africa, and Australia. We operate five manufacturing facilities located in Collingwood, Owen Sound, Barrie, North Bay, and Mexico, and employ over 1,000 people across six countries and four continents. The next chapters of MacLean’s mining innovation story are being written within the broad themes of electrification, automation, and digitalization of the global mining industry.
Our skilled tradespeople work in a safety‑first environment to build high‑quality components and equipment for the underground mining, municipal, environmental, and industrial sectors. Join MacLean and contribute to a legacy defined by innovation, craftsmanship, and meaningful impact.
We offer competitive wages and benefits including:
- 3 weeks' vacation annually
- Paid sick and family emergency time
- Free coffee!
- Flexible Group benefits Package (Once probationary period is completed)
- Employee and family assistance program
- Voluntary DPSP (Deferred Profit-Sharing Plan) and GRRSP (Group Registered Retirement Savings Plan) (Once probationary period is completed)
- Annual Employee Bonus
- $250 annual safety shoe allowance
- $200 bi-annual prescription safety glasses allowance
- Employee appreciation days, raffles/draws, BBQ’s and much more
If you are interested in being a part of an established and growing Canadian Company, we want to hear from you!
Please note that employment with MacLean Engineering is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check conducted by our third-party provider, Sterling Backcheck. This process may include verification of employment history, education, and a criminal record check, depending on the requirements of the position.
We thank all applicants in advance for their application and interest in MacLean Engineering & Marketing Co Limited. However, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. At times, AI-assisted tools may be used as part of the application screening process
MacLean Engineering & Marketing Co. Limited is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment accommodation in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2005).
MacLean Engineering & Marketing Co. Limited will provide accommodations to job applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require an accommodation, please notify us and we will work with you to meet your needs.
