Joining Arup

Arup’s purpose, shared values, and collaborative approach has set us apart for over 80 years, guiding how we shape a better world.

Across the Americas, Arup brings together multidisciplinary designers, planners, engineers, consultants, and technical specialists to support major rail infrastructure and transport projects. Our rail systems work spans planning, design, delivery, construction phase support, systems integration, assurance, safety and security assessments, performance modelling, and optimization of railway operations and maintenance.

We are seeking an accomplished Rail Systems Leader to join our Toronto rail team and help manage rail systems design and implementation, including construction phase design support on a major Canadian rail project. This role will suit a collaborative leader with strong rail systems delivery experience, a passion for integrated project outcomes, and the ability to create opportunities for innovative, practical, and value-driven solutions.

The role reports to the Americas Rail Systems Leader and is based in our Toronto office, with travel across the Americas as required.

This job posting represents an active vacancy within our organization and is open for immediate recruitment.

The opportunity

Lead rail systems engineering, design management, and systems integration works for new and upgraded rail systems, including system architecture, requirements management, interface control, integration functions, and rail system operational and maintenance performance planning and modeling. Lead construction phase rail systems support including testing and commissioning interfaces, and technical coordination between design, construction, operations, maintenance, contractor, and supplier teams. Provide leadership for multidisciplinary rail systems design teams where Arup acts as prime consultant, lead designer, advisor, or systems integration partner. Contribute to business development by supporting client positing, pursuit planning, proposal development, bid strategy, and the preparation of compelling technical and commercial submission for rail systems opportunities Actively mentor, coach, and develop rail systems staff by sharing technical knowledge, building delivery capability, supporting career growth, and helping teams successfully win and deliver high-quality rail systems work. Work with project managers to establish, manage, and monitor design scope, schedule, resources, quality, deliverables, risks, and decision-making processes. Ensure rail systems design work is coordinated, compliant with applicable quality management requirements, and aligned with client objectives, project standards, and delivery obligations. Facilitate effective communication across design disciplines, client user groups, project stakeholders, contractors, suppliers, and internal Arup teams. Develop and maintain strong client relationships with owners, project sponsors, operators, maintainers, contractors, and other organizations active in the transport sector. Identify client needs and connect them with Arup’s rail systems, advisory, assurance, digital, and technical capabilities. Support the development of compelling technical and commercial solutions for formal procurements, client presentations, and solution-based opportunities. Share knowledge, lessons learned, and best practice to strengthen the capability of Arup’s rail systems team across the Americas.

You will contribute to socially useful work with lasting impact for Arup, your career, our members, and the clients and communities we serve.

The successful candidate will bring experience across light rail, metro, commuter, regional, high-speed rail, or automated people mover environments. Experience across multiple rail modes is an asset.

Key disciplines may include rolling stock, signalling and train control, communications, traffic management systems, traction power, permanent way, systems engineering and integration, safety, RAM, EMC, EMI, noise and vibration, performance modelling, timetable modelling, network modelling, power modelling, and asset management.

Is this role right for you?

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent relevant experience. Typically 10 to 15+ years of rail systems engineering, design, advisory, or delivery experience, including experience in the Americas and/or international rail markets. At least five years of leading responsibility in project delivery, systems design, design management, network planning, systems engineering, systems integration, or systems and safety assurance within a multidisciplinary rail environment. Demonstrated experience working directly with clients, including as a prime consultant manager, lead designer, advisor, or delivery partner. Broad experience across rail systems and infrastructure disciplines, with specialization in at least one rail systems area such as signalling and train control, communications, traction power, rolling stock, permanent way, systems engineering, systems integration, RAMS, EMC, EMI, noise and vibration, performance modelling, or asset management. Familiarity with Communications-Based Train Control, conventional relay-based signalling systems, and signalling principles; deeper specialization is considered an asset. Strong understanding of systems and safety engineering concepts, including design, verification and validation, system integration, system safety certification, and RAMS. Knowledge of relevant railway standards, which may include CENELEC, AREMA, MIL-STD, IEEE, EN, and other applicable project or jurisdictional standards. Proven ability to plan, coordinate, lead, and communicate effectively across project teams, client organizations, contractors, suppliers, and senior stakeholders. Understanding of owner and client capital project drivers, procurement approaches, project schedules, cost estimate documents, and design-build delivery environments. Professional engineering registration in Ontario, or equivalent registration, is required; Eligibility to work in Canada is required; eligibility to work in the U.S. would be an asset for work across the Americas.

Please note that all applicants must apply directly via the job portal. If this role is not quite what you are looking for but you are interested in other opportunities for a future with purpose, please sign up to our Talent Community where you will be kept up to date with roles suitable for you to shape a better world.

What We Offer You

At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together.

Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognizes the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.

We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling members to share in the results of our collective efforts.

Benefits at Work - At Arup, we have a comprehensive and valuable benefits program that works for our employees and their families. These are 100% paid for by Arup except for optional life insurance. These benefits provide health and welfare security for you as well as paid time off for rest and renewal. Our Global Profit Share Plan (paid bi-annually) provides an opportunity for you to share in the success of the Firm. As a valued employee of Arup, you can also choose to participate in our GRRSP 5% company match to help you save for your future.

Flexible Working - We believe that flexible arrangements create a more inclusive way of working that supports our diversity and the wellbeing of our people. Options for alternative schedules and the ability to work outside of the office for a portion of your workweek are available.

Toronto Hiring Range – The good faith base salary hiring range for this job if performed in Toronto is $240,000 to $270,000 per year. This range is commensurate with experience, educational background, and skill level. Benefits are not included in the base salary. Please note, hiring ranges for candidates performing work outside of Toronto will differ.

Different people, shared values

Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age (within legal limits), gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas – this drives our excellence.

Guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross-cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion – we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference. Discover more about life at Arup at www.arup.com/careers/your-life-at-arup.

Our Toronto office is located on ceded and unceded lands of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinabewaki, and the Haudenosaunee (hoe-dee-no-SHOW-nee). We acknowledge this land and its people to build a shared understanding of how our collective past brings us to where we are today. Through our ever-developing commitments, we strive to strengthen our relationships with this land, its people, and its treaties to shape a better, more inclusive world.

Our Application Process

We will be reviewing our candidates for this position on a rolling basis. Once you have applied, you will be evaluated and potentially moved on to the next round, at which point a member of the talent resourcing team will reach out to you directly.

Arup is an equal opportunity employer and will consider applications from all qualified individuals. Every job applicant will be treated equally, fairly and with respect regarding race, colour, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, civil status, age (except as provided by law), creed/religion, political convictions, language, ethnic or national origin, disability/handicap, pardoned record of offences, social condition (marital or family status, receipt of social assistance), and any other ground protected by the applicable human rights legislation.

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