Assistant Director Signals & Communications Operations

Canadian Pacific Railway; Fargo (ND); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible benefits

Pension plan

Employee stock plan

Performance incentive plan

Annual fitness subsidy

Job summary

Canadian Pacific Railway is seeking an Assistant Director of Signals & Communications Operations in Fargo, ND. You will lead both union and salaried S&C staff, overseeing testing, planning, inventory, and apprenticeship supervision to support safe, continuous train operations.

The role requires a strong engineering background, extensive leadership experience, and fluency with S&C standards and MS Office. Location flexibility is offered, with an emphasis on on-site leadership in the Fargo area.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering required or equivalent.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant professional experience with 5+ years in leadership roles.
• Hands-on experience in signal systems construction, testing, and maintenance.
• Strong analytical and communication skills; proficient with MS Office.
• Knowledge of Red Book standards and approved signal plans.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage union and salaried Signals & Communications personnel.
• Oversee testing, planning, material management, and inventory control.
• Develop maintenance and construction plans meeting S&C standards.
• Ensure safe, reliable, 24/7 operation of trains within budgets.
• Optimize workforce using the collective agreement; draft scopes of work.
• Provide mentorship to S&C supervisors and tradespeople.
• Oversee apprenticeship program and staff development.
• Ensure compliance with CPKC standards and procedures.
• Respond to emergencies to minimize service disruptions.

Skills

Leadership experience

Signal systems

Project management

Microsoft Excel/Word

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

High school diploma or GED

Tools

CPKC Red Book standards

Job description

Assistant Director Signals & Communications Operations

Posting Start Date: 8/3/26

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 changes. Your future starts here. Flexibility will be offered with an applicant’s location as we are accepting applications from candidates.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

Are you a hands-on leader with a talent for navigating fast-paced environments and transforming obstacles into innovative solutions? As the Assistant Director of Signals & Communications (S&C) Operations, you will lead and manage both union and salaried S&C personnel. In this role, you will oversee all aspects of operations, from testing and planning to material management, inventory control, and apprenticeship supervision. Your guidance will be essential in ensuring efficient repairs and maintenance that support the safety and continuous, 24/7 operation of our trains. Additionally, you will contribute to departmental budget oversight and operational.

POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Manage all maintenance and construction activities within your designated area, including recommending regional capital improvements
• Offer mentorship and technical guidance to S&C supervisors and tradespeople, helping to advance team skills and overall effectiveness
• Contribute to the development of thorough maintenance and construction plans that meet S&C standards and Red Book guidelines
• Oversee testing operations to deliver a safe, reliable, and maintainable S&C facility, completed within budget and timelines
• Utilize the collective agreement to optimize workforce management and productivity
• Support the drafting of scopes of work for subcontracted projects
• Supervise and support S&C staff enrolled in the apprenticeship program
• Ensure full compliance with CPKC standards and procedures for maintenance, testing, commissioning, and daily operations
• Demonstrate dependability and flexibility in a round-the-clock operational setting, responding swiftly to emergencies to minimize service disruptions

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• High school diploma or general equivalency; bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college, preferably in Electrical Engineering
• A minimum of ten (10) years of relevant professional experience, including at least five (5) years in leadership roles overseeing complex projects, programs, or teams with a strong focus on achieving results, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• A valid driver’s license is mandatory for frequenttravel
• Comprehensive knowledge of CPKC’s Red Book standards, required procedures, approved signal plans, and related equipment and principles
• Hands-on experience in signal system construction, testing, and maintenance
• Advanced analytical skills, with proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, including Excel and Word
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey information clearly and professionally

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

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.

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

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).