Planner III (Design Build Trade Support)

The Planner III (Design Build Trade Support) is a recognized technical specialist providing advanced trade knowledge and practical shipbuilding expertise to the Planning organization. The role focuses primarily on supporting the planning department through model and drawing reviews, ensuring designs are buildable, sequenced logically, and aligned with established trade practices and shipyard capabilities.

This position acts as a critical interface between Planning, Trades, Design, Engineering, and Production, providing early input to reduce downstream impacts to schedule, cost, and execution risk. In addition to model and drawing reviews, the Planner III contributes trade expertise to other planning activities as required, including build strategy development, work package constructability, and planning process improvements.

Note: Due to business needs, this position is required to be fully on-site at 50 Pemberton Avenue, North Vancouver.

What you’ll do

• Perform detailed model and drawing reviews from a trade and production perspective to ensure: 
• Constructability and practicality of design solutions
• Alignment with trade means and methods
• Logical sequencing that supports planning and production execution
• Identify potential trade clashes, access issues, sequencing conflicts, and production risks early in the design process.
• Provide clear, actionable feedback to Planning, Design, and Engineering to improve model maturity and execution readiness.
• Support development and refinement of build strategies by integrating trade knowledge into planning assumptions.
• Collaborate with planners to ensure work packages and schedules reflect realistic trade execution logic.
• Act as a subject-matter expert for assigned trades, providing guidance on preferred construction methods and sequencing.
• Participate in design reviews, constructability reviews, and planning workshops as required
• Support resolution of design-related trade issues during planning and production phases
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by identifying recurring design or planning issues impacting trades.
• Assist in the development of standards, best practices, and lessons learned related to trade constructability and planning.
• Mentor junior planners and team members in trade knowledge and production awareness.

What you’ll bring

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical or engineering discipline or Red Seal / Interprovincial Trades Certificate or an equivalent combination of education, training and work experience. 
• 5+ years of experience in shipbuilding, planning, design support, or a senior trade role with demonstrated technical leadership.
• Strong background in shipyard construction methods, trade sequencing, and production constraints is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a technical specialist within a multidisciplinary team.
• Advanced ability to read, interpret, and challenge engineering drawings and 3D models.
• Extensive knowledge of shipbuilding trades, production methods, sequencing, and installation practices.
• Strong understanding of the relationship between design, planning, procurement, and production.
• Working knowledge of modern ship design and build strategies.
• Proficiency with CAD/CAM tools such as ShipConstructor and AutoCAD (preferred).
• Ability to interrogate 3D models for constructability, access, sequencing, and trade impacts.
• Familiarity with planning systems (Primavera P6 and/or Microsoft Project preferred).
• Understanding of ERP/MRP systems and how planning data supports production execution
• Excellent organizational skills in a complex, fast-paced environment.
• Strong judgement, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• High attention to detail with a practical, production-focused mindset.
• Proven ability to work independently while influencing outcomes across functional boundaries.
• Strong relationship-building skills with Planning, Design, Engineering, Trades, Quality, and Production.
• Commitment to safety and compliance with all Seaspan safety policies and procedures.

Why you’ll love working here

• This is a full-time, permanent position. With multiple operations and long-term projects, Seaspan employees enjoy job stability as we look ahead to build ships for decades to come. 
• In addition to an annual bonus and pension plan matching, this role provides you with a very competitive salary in line with the successful candidate’s experience. 
• We also provide the best-in-class health and wellness benefits package for this position, including things such as extended health care (i.e. paramedical services for massage therapy,  speech therapy, mental health coverage, physiotherapy, and more), dental care, vision care, life insurance, medical leave coverage, parental leave coverage, $500 personal spending account, and an Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP). 
• Free on-site gym.
• Parking is included and to assist those that are using transit, we operate a complimentary shuttle bus Monday through Friday with various pick up and drop off points around North Vancouver. 

The estimated salary for this position is $99,000 - $121,000. In determining final salary, Seaspan considers many factors including the successful Candidate’s skills and experience as well as position location and internal equity. The final base salary offer will be at the Company’s sole discretion and presented as part of a competitive total compensation package.

#LI-ONSITE

 

Seaspan Shipyards is one of North America’s most modern shipyards and unique in its ability to provide a complete range of services including new construction, conversion, refit, repair and life-cycle maintenance work for Canada’s Coast Guard and Navy as well as commercial vessels including cruise-ships and deep-sea vessels. Seaspan Shipyards operations include Vancouver Shipyards, Vancouver Drydock and Victoria Shipyards.  

 

To learn more, visit our website: www.seaspan.com  

This position may involve defense articles and/or technical data regulated by the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and the U.S. Arms Export Control Act. In compliance with ITAR, the successful candidate will be subject to a security clearance through the Canadian Controlled Goods Program as regulated by the Controlled Goods Regulations and Defense Production Act. The successful candidate will be required to maintain their security clearance throughout their employment in this position.

Seaspan is committed to Employment Equity, supports diversity in the workplace, and encourages applications from all qualified individuals including, women, members of visible minorities, Indigenous persons, and persons with disabilities. If you require any accommodations at any stage of the recruitment process, please reach out to our Talent Acquisition team at recruit@seaspan.com for confidential support. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible environment.