Principal Project Manager Rail Systems

Mott MacDonald; Calgary; Hybrid; CAD 162,000 - 199,000; Full time

Job summary

Mott MacDonald, Calgary, is seeking a Principal Project Manager Rail Systems to lead senior-level rail projects across Alberta and North America. You will guide multidisciplinary engineering teams, oversee system integration, safety assurance, and project delivery from concept to commissioning.

You'll shape client strategy, manage scope, schedule and budget, and mentor staff while expanding our local rail capability.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in rail/transit or safety-critical infra with leadership responsibilities.
• Strong systems engineering and assurance across project lifecycle.
• Credible signalling and train control experience with leadership across rail systems.
• Experience delivering complex projects from design through commissioning.
• Proven ability to manage scope, budget, schedule, quality and risk.
• Experience supporting business development and client relations.

Responsibilities

• Lead rail systems and transit assignments, accountable for scope, schedule, budget, quality, risk and client satisfaction.
• Direct multidisciplinary engineering teams across systems engineering, signalling and train control, communications, rolling stock, power, integration, testing and commissioning.
• Establish engineering governance and technical assurance, including design reviews and change control.
• Lead systems engineering and integration activities, including requirements, architecture, interfaces, verification and validation, safety and assurance, testing and acceptance.
• Provide senior technical leadership for signalling and wider rail systems, including design management and contractor oversight.
• Manage relationships with clients, operators, maintainers, contractors, suppliers and regulators; resolve issues.
• Lead bids and business development, including opportunity shaping and estimating; build client relationships in Alberta/Canada.
• Mentor staff and collaborate across teams to share expertise and ensure capability development.

Skills

Rail systems leadership

Project management

Stakeholder management

Systems engineering

Team leadership

Education

Engineering degree

Master's degree asset

Job description

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At Mott MacDonald, we are driven by purpose and powered by brilliant people. As a trusted engineering, management, and development consultancy, we work with clients to solve complex challenges and deliver sustainable outcomes that make a meaningful difference for the communities we serve.

When you join us as an experienced professional, you will bring your expertise to work that matters while continuing to grow your career. You will collaborate with talented colleagues across disciplines and geographies, contribute your perspective, and help shape better outcomes through technical excellence, innovation, and integrity.

Build on your experience while helping shape what comes next. At Mott MacDonald, you'll work alongside talented people on complex and rewarding projects that make a real difference. We value fresh perspectives, encourage collaboration, and provide opportunities to expand your skills, take on new challenges, and grow your career. Whether you're deepening your technical expertise, broadening your leadership experience, or exploring new opportunities across our business, you'll be supported by a team that is committed to helping you succeed.

Mott MacDonald is seeking a Principal Project Manager Rail Systems to join our Calgary team. The role will provide senior leadership across rail systems engineering, integration and project delivery for transit and urban mobility assignments in Alberta, Western Canada and, where relevant, across North America. The successful candidate will lead multidisciplinary engineering activities through the project lifecycle, support the delivery of complex live-rail and major-project assignments, and help grow our local capability and client relationships.

This is a hybrid delivery and technical-leadership position. It is suited to an experienced rail professional who can manage projects and engineering teams while providing credible systems integration, assurance and signalling oversight. The role is not limited to detailed signalling design. It combines project leadership, multidisciplinary engineering management, technical governance, client engagement and business development.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage rail systems and transit assignments, with accountability for scope, schedule, budget, quality, risk and client satisfaction
• Direct multidisciplinary engineering teams across systems engineering, signalling and train control, communications, rolling stock, traction power, integration, verification and validation, testing and commissioning
• Establish effective engineering governance and technical assurance, including delivery planning, design and gate reviews, configuration management and change control
• Lead systems engineering and integration activities, including requirements, architecture, interfaces, verification and validation, safety and assurance, testing, commissioning and acceptance into service
• Provide senior technical leadership for signalling and wider rail systems, including design management, contractor and supplier oversight, technical reviews and operational integration
• Manage relationships with clients, operators, maintainers, contractors, suppliers, regulators and delivery partners, resolving technical, commercial and delivery issues
• Lead and contribute to bids and business development, including opportunity shaping, delivery strategy, technical writing, estimating and work planning, while building relationships with transit clients and industry partners in Alberta and across Canada
• Lead, mentor and develop staff, supporting capability development, succession planning and knowledge transfer while collaborating across Canadian, North American and international teams to bring the right specialist expertise to projects

Candidate Specification

• Degree in Engineering or a related discipline; a relevant master’s degree is an asset
• Chartered Engineer, Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) or equivalent professional registration; candidates without APEGA registration must be willing and able to obtain the appropriate license
• 15+ years of experience in rail, transit or other complex safety-critical infrastructure, including significant engineering, project and team leadership responsibilities
• Strong systems engineering and assurance experience across the project lifecycle, including requirements, interfaces, configuration and change control, verification and validation, testing, commissioning and acceptance into service
• Credible signalling and train control experience, with the ability to provide technical leadership across wider rail systems and multidisciplinary interfaces
• Demonstrable experience delivering complex projects through design, construction, testing, commissioning and operational integration, preferably within an operating railway environment
• Proven ability to manage scope, budget, schedule, quality, risk and resources on complex engineering assignments
• Experience supporting business development, client relationship management and the preparation of proposals and tender submissions
• Strong communication, leadership and relationship-building skills, with the ability to lead client discussions, communicate complex technical matters clearly and develop engineering teams
• Experience working within multidisciplinary and geographically distributed teams; experience within an international consulting environment is an asset
• Knowledge of Canadian transit clients, procurement approaches and delivery models is preferred
• Commitment to health, safety, professional integrity and high-quality project delivery, with willingness to travel as required

Bring your expertise, curiosity, and drive to make a difference. If you are ready to join a collaborative consultancy where your perspective is valued, your growth is supported, and you are empowered to lead with integrity, we would love to hear from you.

Benefits & Rewards

The expected salary range for this position is from $162,000 - $199,000.

Multiple factors such as qualifications, overall experience, and position responsibilities will be used to determine the successful candidate's actual salary within the expected range.

In addition to base salary, Mott MacDonald offers performance-based bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package, giving employees a direct connection to our success.

The comprehensive benefits and rewards package is designed to support your health, wellbeing, and professional growth. Eligible employees have access to health and dental coverage, wellness resources, retirement savings, insurance and disability protection, paid time off, family leave support, and professional development opportunities. Benefits are subject to eligibility, plan terms, and change.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

Collaboration at Our Core

At Mott MacDonald, we believe great ideas happen when we're together. Our hybrid approach centers on an in-office culture, with most of your time spent collaborating face-to-face and a minimum of three days per week in the office. We balance flexibility with connection, so you and your manager can choose how to meet clients, team, and personal commitments.

We seek to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they have the opportunity to contribute.