The Senior Manager, Rail Infrastructure is responsible for leading a multidisciplinary team to ensure that the Track, Signaling, Overhead Catenary System (OCS), and all Fixed Rail Infrastructure Assets meet or exceed required performance, safety, and availability standards. This role ensures the application of effective inspection, preventive and corrective maintenance strategies, and system maintenance practices across all infrastructure assets. The Senior Manager will develop and lead the Infrastructure Asset Reliability, Lifecycle Management, and Sustainability Plans, ensuring regulatory compliance, system dependability, and contractual performance requirements.

This role will act as the primary technical interface to the client/assetowner for infrastructure maintenance reporting, asset condition updates, endors with engineering approvals, and lifecycle planning, in alignment with the Region’s fixed asset stewardship expectations. The Senior Manager will collaborate closely with the Maintenance
Production, Operations, and Procurement teams, and will provide advanced technical guidance to support troubleshooting, defect resolution, field modifications, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Degree in Civil, Electrical, or Electromechanical Engineering (preferred) or equivalent experience
• In-depth technical knowledge of track systems, switches/turnouts, ballast, signaling systems, OCS infrastructure,traction power distribution infrastructure,and related civil/structural railway works.
• Understanding of system interfaces between traction power, track structure,signaling logic (SCADA), and operational control systems.
• Knowledge of maintenance management systems, asset lifecycle systems, reliability data analysis, Asset management and project planning.
• Strong problem solving, analytical thinking,organization, communication, and leadership skills.
• Knowledge of applicable safety legislation,construction standards, and railway safety

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years of relevant practical experience working on railway infrastructurepreferably in a light rail transit environment.
• Minimum 5 years experience working with carbuilder(s) or owners on warranty fulfillment and field modifications.
• Minimum of 5 years leading Managers or Foreman, preferably in a transit environment.
• Experience conducting root cause investigations related to infrastructure failures, signal faults,OCS outages, or track defects.
• Demonstrable shop floor experience with craft employees on repair and troubleshooting.
• Related software and information systems(database management tools, maintenance management information systems

Technical Leadership & Infrastructure Management:

• Provide technical leadership for inspection, testing, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of Track, OCS, Signaling, and associated civil/fixed infrastructure assets.

-Review, interpret, and communicate technical directives, field modifications, asset engineering bulletins, and OEM documentation. - Serve as the technical liaison between Keolis, subcontractors, OEMs, and the Region of Waterloo (asset owner) on matters related to infrastructure condition, performance, and engineering change.

• Ensure infrastructure maintenance follows regulatory, OEM, and engineering standards and supports safe railway operations.
• Lead the development of infrastructure maintenance instructions, standards, technical procedures, and engineering practices for internal teams.
• Support technician training strategy and development to ensure staff competency on all infrastructure systems.

Prepare clear internal and client-facing reports, technical summaries, work plans, and asset documentation.

• Support Procurement in defining material and contractor requirements based on asset condition, work demands, and project timelines.
• Provides leadership in emergency response preparedness and ensures strict oversight of site safety practices across all rail infrastructure operations.

Lead the development, implementation, and maintenance of standards and quality management for Infrastructure maintenance. Responsibilities include:

• Develop, implement, and maintain standards for all infrastructure maintenance activities in alignment with lifecycle-based asset management principles.
• Lead reliability investigations and root-cause analysis for infrastructure system incidents,failures, or recurring defects.
• Evaluate infrastructure system performance and recommend operational, engineering, or capital improvements for safety and reliability.
• Coordinate and support lifecycle planning, condition assessments, capital renewal forecasting, and end-of-life asset strategies.
• Regularly review work orders to ensure compliance with engineering standards, maintenance procedures, and OEM specifications.
• Collaborate with the Quality Manager to support audit programs and corrective action implementation across the maintenance organization.
• Promote a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement across all maintenance practices.

Working Conditions

• Ability to lead meetings and conduct presentations to internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to conduct frequent field inspections on railway property, including work at height and near energized systems.
• Must maintain situational awareness in active rail corridors and maintenance facilities.
• Ability to lift to 50 pounds and work safely around tools, equipment, and rail assets.
• Ability to be on-call and respond to infrastructure incidents as required.