The Track/OCS Lead is the technical authority for track, special trackwork, overhead contact system (OCS), grounding/bonding, and associated wayside infrastructure. The role combines practical field-maintenance knowledge with engineering analysis to support safe operations, asset reliability, maintainability, and lifecycle planning. The position provides technical direction for complex field issues, governs maintenance and inspection activities, supports corrective actions and technical changes, and coordinates technical matters with the Owner, Operator, contractors, suppliers, and specialist subcontractors.
Key Responsibilities:
- Act as the subject-matter expert for rail, fasteners, switches, crossings, turnouts, embedded track, OCS, poles, foundations, contact/feeder wire, tensioning, bonding, and associated infrastructure.
- Review daily work orders and ensure correct technical completion and FRACAS classification.
- Provide field troubleshooting and technical direction for track defects, geometry concerns, OCS faults, wear, damage, and service restrictions.
- Review inspection, condition, and maintenance data to identify risk and prioritize corrective work.
- Establish, monitor, and refine preventive-maintenance, inspection, and condition-assessment plans.
- Verify the quality and technical compliance of maintenance work performed by other teams.
- Lead or support root-cause analyses, event investigations, failure reviews, and corrective-action tracking.
- Plan and support rail renewal, special-trackwork replacement, grinding, OCS adjustment, component replacement, and lifecycle activities.
- Define critical spares and support obsolescence management.
- Conduct field and documentation audits and act as the system quality-assurance representative.
- Develop and update inspection standards, work instructions, procedures, drawings, protocols, and safe-work plans.
- Manage technical changes and configuration updates affecting track and OCS assets.
- Participate in Failure Review Boards, task forces, possession planning, and technical working groups.
- Coordinate technical matters with the Owner, Operator, civil contractors, OCS suppliers, and specialist subcontractors.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Diploma in civil, railway, electrical, mechanical, or related engineering technology; an engineering degree is acceptable.
- Five or more years of relevant experience in rail/transit track, OCS, railway infrastructure, utility, or comparable field-maintenance environments.
- Experience with track inspection, special trackwork, OCS maintenance, rail safety, and working near energized systems is preferred.
- OACETT certification or eligibility is preferred; P.Eng. or EIT status is an asset.
- Ability to interpret civil and electrical drawings and work safely in a live rail environment.
Knowledge and Skills Strong understanding of:
- Rail and special-trackwork maintenance, inspection, and condition assessment.
- Overhead contact systems, including poles, foundations, contact/feeder wire, tensioning, and associated components.
- Grounding and bonding principles and safe work near energized systems.
- FRACAS, root-cause analysis, failure review, corrective-action tracking, and configuration management.
- Preventive maintenance, lifecycle planning, critical spares, and obsolescence management.
- Quality assurance, field/documentation audits, and technical compliance requirements.
- CMMS/work-order processes and technical documentation.
Ability to read and interpret:
- Civil, track, electrical, and OCS drawings and schematics.
- Inspection reports, track geometry and condition data, maintenance records, and failure histories.
- Technical specifications, work instructions, procedures, safe-work plans, and test/inspection protocols.
- Configuration records, change documentation, and supplier technical information.
Working Conditions
- Work is performed in a combination of office, maintenance-facility, wayside, and live rail environments.
- Regular field presence is required to inspect assets, support troubleshooting, verify maintenance quality, and respond to technical issues.
- May require work during planned possessions, outages, emergency response, nights, weekends, or other non-standard hours based on operational needs.
- Work may involve exposure to moving rail vehicles, energized OCS equipment, outdoor weather conditions, uneven terrain, and active construction/maintenance areas.
- Required personal protective equipment and all rail/electrical safety procedures must be followed.
Compensation
- Salary Range - $95,000 – 110,000
- Employer 5% RRSP matching
- Two weeks of paid vacation
Asset
- Rail, fasteners, switches, crossings, turnouts, special trackwork, and embedded track.
- Overhead contact system poles, foundations, contact wire, feeder wire, tensioning assemblies, and related hardware.
- Grounding and bonding systems and associated wayside infrastructure.
- Track and OCS inspection, condition-monitoring, and configuration records.
