Mechanical Director Car

Canadian Pacific Railway; United States; On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Canadian Pacific Railway (CPKC) in the United States seeks a Director to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for a team of railroad professionals, ensuring safety, regulatory compliance, and reliable service across the territory. The role emphasizes safety culture, clear communication, and driving accountability to achieve high-performance results.

You will lead improvement initiatives, manage the mechanical operating budget, mentor talent, and coordinate with Train & Engine

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years’ of railway maintenance experience or strong heavy industry maintenance based knowledge.
• Proven capabilities in driving and implementing cultural change.
• Experience in a unionized environment is necessary.
• Ability to travel to all locations required in the territory.
• Ability to drill down, understand root cause and resolve complex issues.
• Ability to provide pinpointed positive and constructive feedback and apply balanced consequences.

Responsibilities

• Ensure full compliance of all train servicing, repairs, and planned program work with standards, AAR requirements, and TC/FRA regulations, delivering a safe, reliable product to Operations.
• Lead the execution of improvement strategies to enhance productivity, operational effectiveness, and asset reliability.
• Provide leadership during train incidents within the assigned territory, directing mechanical forces to safely manage the event and restore service.
• Manage and control the mechanical operating budget for the territory, ensuring resources are optimized and financial targets are achieved.
• Drive talent development and succession planning with ongoing coaching and growth opportunities.
• Maintain 24/7 availability to provide oversight and senior-level support for safety, operations, and regional matters.

Skills

Safety culture leadership

Root-cause analysis

Budget management

Team coaching

Union environment experience

Travel readiness

Education

High school diploma

University degree preferred

Job description

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:

As a Director, you will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight to a team of dedicated railroad professionals, ensuring all activities are executed safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with regulatory and business standards. The ideal candidate fosters a strong safety culture, communicates with clarity and purpose, sets clear expectations, and drives accountability to achieve high ‑ performance results across the operation.

POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Ensure full compliance of all train servicing, repairs, and planned program work with CPKC standards, Association of American Railroads (AAR) requirements, and Transport Canada (TC)/Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regulations, ensuring a safe, reliable, and sustainable product is delivered to Operations.
• Lead the execution of improvement strategies, implementing recommendations that enhance productivity, operational effectiveness, and long ‑ term asset reliability.
• Provide leadership during train incidents within the assigned territory, directing mechanical forces to safely manage the event, minimize equipment loss or damage, restore service efficiently, and collaborate effectively with Train & Engine Operations and Engineering partners.
• Manage and control the mechanical operating budget for the territory, ensuring resources are optimized and financial targets are achieved.
• Drive talent development and succession planning, ensuring employees receive ongoing coaching, growth opportunities, and support to advance within the organization.
• Maintain 24/7 availability to provide oversight, direction, and senior ‑ level support for safety, operational, and regional matters, delivering timely and effective communication to all internal and external stakeholders.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• High school diploma or general equivalency, university degree is preferred
• Minimum 10 years’ of railway maintenance experience or strong heavy industry maintenance based knowledge
• Proven capabilities in driving and implementing cultural change
• Ability to provide pinpointed positive and constructive feedback and apply balanced consequences
• Ability to drill down, understand root cause and resolve complex issues
• Experience in a unionized environment is necessary
• Ability to travel to all locations required in the territory

WHAT CPKC HAS TO OFFER:

• Flexible and competitive benefits package
• Competitive company pension and/or retirement plans
• Employee share purchase 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 or regulated 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
• Social Security Number 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).