Lucie Gauthier: Technical leadership in site characterization and remediation
As part of our Women in Engineering series, we’re highlighting women across Englobe whose technical expertise, leadership, and perspectives strengthen our projects, support our teams, and help shape the future of engineering.
Today, we’re pleased to feature Lucie Gauthier, Senior Technical Director, Geoenvironment and Site Remediation - Québec at Englobe.
For Lucie Gauthier, the path to engineering was not sparked by one specific event or person. More than 30 years later, however, she remains confident it was the right choice for her.
Lucie Gauthier, Senior Technical Director, Geoenvironment and Site Remediation, Englobe - Québec
Discovering an emerging field: contaminated site characterization and remediation
In the late 1990s, contaminated site characterization and remediation were still emerging fields. Lucie explored this exciting new field through a research project focused on treating contaminated soils onsite using surfactant solutions, a project she completed in the senior year of her geological engineering studies.
From that moment on, the search for solutions to issues related to soil and groundwater contamination truly sparked my interest. I was quickly drawn to the combination of science, engineering, and practical environmental problem-solving.
Lucie Gauthier, Senior Technical Director, Geoenvironment and Site Remediation, Englobe
This motivation has shaped a career rooted in technical rigour, regulatory knowledge, and the development and implementation of concrete solutions for clients and communities.
Leading with quality, safety, and technical rigour
Today, Lucie Gauthier’s work as Senior Technical Director of the Geoenvironment and Site Remediation team for Englobe in Québec involves technical quality, operational consistency, health and safety, regulatory compliance, and team support.
She helps streamline project delivery processes and maintain high standards of quality and technical compliance. In collaboration with other team leaders, she supports over 150 people whose work is essential to safe, effective, and compliant project delivery.
My day-to-day work is at the intersection of operations management, technical and team support, and quality assurance. My role is to make sure that we deliver rigorous, safe, and high-quality projects, while supporting the development and success of our professionals.
Annual technicians meeting in Québec
Supporting geoenvironmental teams and strengthening contaminated site management project delivery
Lucie Gauthier is also responsible for the quality and health & safety components that support project teams. This includes developing tools and procedures, monitoring their application in the field, and maintaining oversight of the geoenvironment regulatory context.
She also manages several strategic framework contracts for the company, monitoring project performance, reviewing certain technical deliverables, and helping ensure budget and schedule compliance.
Her technical leadership has been shaped by the diversity and complexity of the work itself. She has contributed to contaminated site management projects for commercial and real estate clients, ministries, public organizations, and parapublic organizations.
These varied experiences have provided Lucie with an in-depth understanding of the provincial and federal regulatory requirements that apply to geoenvironment work. This background has also reinforced the importance of viewing each project holistically, from laws and regulations to technical considerations, risk management, client expectations, field realities, budgets, and schedules.
Lucie receiving an Englobe Excellence Award. Left to right: André Thivierge, Lucie Gauthier, François Santerre.
Women bringing a new perspective on technical teams
Lucie Gauthier’s career reflects her field knowledge, mastery of the regulatory environment, problem-solving ability, and disciplined project management, as well as her commitment to helping teams succeed.
It also speaks to the value of diverse perspectives in technical environments. When asked whether women bring a fresh perspective to technical teams, project work, and client relationships, Lucie offered an unequivocal answer. "Absolutely, I am convinced that the presence of women brings significant added value."
In Lucie’s opinion, women often demonstrate attention to detail, organizational skills, and a collaborative approach. These qualities help strengthen team cohesion, support effective communication, and build lasting relationships of trust with clients.
A diversity of perspectives enriches teams and fosters better decisions.
Acting with integrity
That balance between technical rigour and human judgment is also reflected in one of Lucie’s most cherished professional values: integrity. This value has guided her decisions throughout her career and led her to act with honesty, fairness, and the courage of her convictions, even in difficult situations.
These experiences taught me the importance of defending what we believe is right, even when it can be uncomfortable. They also strengthened my self-confidence and confirmed that integrity must always remain at the heart of our professional actions and decisions.
Lucie with her colleagues on Englobe's Inclusion and Women in Leadership Committee.
The importance of representation for women in engineering and other technical fields
For Lucie, technical excellence is closely tied to responsibility: delivering rigorous work, supporting teams, respecting regulatory requirements, advising clients properly, and making decisions grounded in both expertise and integrity.
Across Englobe, women in engineering and technical fields are bringing valuable skills, insights, and perspectives to projects that advance technical excellence, support innovation, and help address complex challenges.
Lucie Gauthier’s professional journey serves as another reminder of why the representation of women in engineering matters: it raises the visibility of potential career paths, technical expertise, and leadership roles available across the industry.