Lead Carpenter

Chilliwack, BC | Full-Time | $32–$40/hr

MacQueen Systems is a Fraser Valley general contractor running residential renovations, custom homes, additions, and select commercial projects across Chilliwack and the surrounding area. We own our crews, we hold a high standard on quality, and we are growing. We are looking for a Lead Carpenter to anchor our framing and structural work, lead a small crew, and take real ownership of jobs from the ground up.

About the Role

This is a working lead position. You are on the tools every day and you are also running the people working beside you. You have the experience to know what good work looks like at every stage, and you hold yourself and your crew to that standard consistently. You could take a custom residential build from footings to lock-up and make the right call at every stage without being told twice.

You will lead a crew of one to three MacQueen carpenters depending on the job, and you will work alongside subcontractors on site, helping guide sequencing and quality as the project moves forward. You set the standard, and the people working under you rise to meet it. The project manager has your back on the office side. The site is yours.

Framing and structural work is the core of this role. Beyond that, we are looking for someone with a solid, well-rounded understanding of all core aspects of residential construction. You do not have to be the master of every trade, but you need to know how the work at each stage connects to what comes next, and you need to be able to make informed decisions across the full scope of a build.

What You Will Be Doing:

• Leading framing and structural work on custom residential builds, additions, and major renovations
• Running a crew of one to three carpenters: task assignment, pacing, quality checks, and on-site mentorship
• Working alongside subcontractors on active sites, helping coordinate sequencing and holding quality standards across trades
• Reading and working from plans and drawings, identifying issues early and flagging them before they become problems downstream
• Managing material lists and site organization so the job moves without unnecessary delays
• Communicating clearly with the project manager on progress, blockers, timelines, and material needs
• Performing finish carpentry and punch list work as required, with an understanding of what quality looks like at handover
• Keeping job sites clean, organized, and safe at all times

What We Are Looking For:

• Red Seal Carpenter certification strongly preferred. Candidates who are eligible to challenge the Red Seal exam will be considered.
• 10 or more years of hands-on residential carpentry with a heavy emphasis on framing, structural work, and custom builds.
• Demonstrated experience leading a small crew. You have set the standard on a site before and held people to it.
• Strong plan reading ability. You can work from drawings, spot conflicts, and adapt on the fly.
• Solid understanding of how framing and rough work sets up every trade that follows, including mechanical, electrical, and finish.
• Comfortable working alongside subcontractors and providing informal guidance on sequencing and site standards.
• Self-directed and high-output. You know what needs to be done and you move without being managed.
• Professional and reliable. You show up on time, you communicate when something changes, and you take pride in the work.
• Bondable. A criminal record check is part of our standard hiring process.
• Valid BC driver’s licence with a clean abstract.

What Success Looks Like:

You take a job from footings to lock-up with minimal supervision and your framing stands up to scrutiny at every stage. The trades following you are not fixing your work, they are building on it. Your crew is getting better because of the standard you hold, and the project manager knows your jobs are running clean without having to chase you for updates.

Growth Path:

Lead Carpenters who demonstrate strong judgment, site leadership, and the ability to manage quality across a crew are developed into site superintendent roles as the company grows. We promote from within and we invest in people who take the work seriously.

We are not your typical GC and we are not looking for a typical hire. We are a crew that shows up, frames clean, and delivers work the trades behind us can count on. If you are ready to own a site, lead people, and build something you are proud to put your name on, this could be your next move.