Specialist Wayside Detector Systems

CPKC; Calgary; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible benefits

Pension/retirement plans

Employee share purchase plan

Performance incentive plan

Annual fitness subsidy

Part-time studies program

Job summary

CPKC is seeking a Specialist Wayside Detector Systems in Calgary, Alberta to design, deploy, integrate, validate, and optimize detector technologies across the network. You will lead installations, troubleshoot issues, and collaborate with internal teams, vendors, and contractors to improve reliability and reduce downtime.

Ideal candidate has a technical engineering background, strong problem-solving and communication skills, and willingness to travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making skills.
• Willingness to travel domestically and cross-border up to 20-30%.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, deployment, and maintenance of wayside detector systems.
• Specify technical requirements and support procurement activities.
• Lead in-field installation, device commissioning, system integration, and data validation.
• Troubleshoot technical challenges during deployment, commissioning, and operation.
• Analyze data to identify trends, investigate reliability issues, develop alerting rules.
• Collaborate with internal teams, vendors, unions, contractors, regulators, and stakeholders.
• Develop technical documentation for new technologies and deployment lifecycle.
• Develop safety procedures based on detector data and processes.
• Manage contractors and conduct site audits in Canada, the U.S., and Mexico.
• Provide clear updates and technical recommendations to stakeholders.
• Support after-hours or weekend calls as required.

Skills

Problem-solving

Analytical thinking

Decision making

Verbal and written communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Project)

Job description

Posting Start Date: 7/27/26

Join CPKC, North America’s first transnational railroad connecting U.S., Canada, and Mexico, where your career drives progress and safety is paramount. We connect communities, fuel economic growth, and provide meaningful work in a culture that values diversity, accountability, and pride. With opportunities for training, development, and advancement, you’re not just building a career—you’re part of something bigger. Together, we move goods, connect people, and create lasting change. Your future starts here.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The Specialist Wayside Detector Systems is responsible for the design, deployment, integration, validation, and ongoing optimization of new and existing wayside detector technologies across CPKC’s network. This role supports safe and reliable railway operations by leading system installations and upgrades, analyzing detector performance, troubleshooting technical issues, and collaborating with internal teams, vendors, and contractors to improve system reliability and reduce downtime.

POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Lead and execute the design, development, installation, and maintenance of rail technologies related to wayside detector systems
• Specify technical requirements and support procurement activities for specialized equipment, spare parts, and services
• Lead in-field installation, device commissioning, system integration, and data validation activities to ensure operational reliability and safety compliance
• Troubleshoot technical challenges during deployment, commissioning, and ongoing operation of detector systems
• Analyze wayside system data to identify trends, investigate reliability issues, develop alerting rules, and support operational procedures
• Collaborate, manage and work cross-functionally with internal engineering teams, vendors, unionized labor forces, contractors, regulatory bodies, industry associations, and other stakeholders
• Develop and maintain technical documentation packages for new technologies, supporting project teams through the deployment lifecycle
• Develop procedures for railway operations to improve safety based on wayside detector data and processes.
• Manage contractors and conduct site audits in Canada, the United States, and Mexico to confirm quality, safety, and compliance with expected standards
• Provide clear written and verbal updates, technical recommendations, and constructive feedback to internal and external stakeholders
• Support after-hours or weekend calls as required to address operational needs

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field
• Electrical engineering background is strongly preferred
• Valid driver’s license
• Valid passport with ability to travel to U.S. without restrictions
• Demonstrated experience addressing reliability issues and collaborating with stakeholders to implement solutions
• Measurement, data acquisition, data analytics, instrumentation, and mechanical systems experience is considered an asset
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making skills
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage maintenance planning, field activities, documentation, and competing priorities
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with internal teams, vendors, and contractors
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, specifically Word, Excel, and Project, is required
• Strong technical writing, drafting, and documentation skills
• Practical hands‑on experience in areas such as electronics, automotive, mechanical systems, or field technology is considered an asset
• Valid passport and ability and willingness to travel regularly to domestic and cross-border locations
• Ability to respond to occasional calls after hours and on weekends

WHAT CPKC HAS TO OFFER

• Flexible and competitive benefits package
• Competitive company pension and/or retirement plans
• Employee share purchase plan
• Performance incentive plan
• Annual fitness subsidy
• Part-time studies program

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

Medical and Drug Testing: This is a safety sensitive position and a successful pre‑employment medical assessment including physical, vision, hearing, and a negative company drug test is required. Post hire qualification drug testing may also be required.

Background Investigation

• Criminal history check
• Education verification
• Professional references
• Driver’s license verification and driving history
• Passport verification

BECOMING A RAILROADER

As an employee with a North American presence, the possibility does exist that the location of your position may be changed based on organizational requirements.

Management Conductor Program

Becoming a qualified conductor or locomotive engineer is the single best way for a management employee to learn the business at CPKC. You may be required to obtain a certification or to maintain your current certification/qualification as a conductor or locomotive engineer.

CULTURE OF INCLUSION

For our U.S. applicants, CPKC is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, inclusive of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For Canadian applicants CPKC is an employment equity employer committed to the principles of employment equity and inclusion. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply including: women, Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), members of the LGBTQ+ community and people with disabilities. Accommodations for the job application process can be provided, as appropriate, upon request. All applicant information will be managed in accordance with the federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).

• Req ID: 106251
• Department: Railway Technology
• Job Type: Full-Time
• Position Type: Non-Union
• Location: Calgary, Alberta
• Country: Canada
• % of Travel: 20-30%
• # of Positions: 1
• Job Grade: 4
• Job Available to: Internal & External