Senior Manager, Mechanical Operations

Canyon Spirit; Denver, Northern (CO, KY); On-site; USD 111,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

Life Insurance

401(k) plan

Rail tickets and passes

Growth opportunities

Inclusive team environment

Job summary

Canyon Spirit is seeking a Senior Manager, Mechanical to lead maintenance and operating plans for rail equipment and highway fleet at our Denver, CO operations. The role emphasizes safety, reliability, and fiscal accountability, with autonomy in decision-making and cross-functional collaboration across departments, host railways, and regulators.

As a Safety Sensitive position, the incumbent will drive measurable improvements, manage budgets and capital planning, and mentor a high-performing

Qualifications

• High School Diploma required; post-secondary education in Business Management is an asset.
• 10+ years railroad industry experience, including 5+ years in people leadership roles.
• Knowledge of FRA, AAR, and other applicable railway regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead safety, compliance, and risk management across operations; ensure adherence to regulations and company safety standards.
• Oversee mechanical operations, inspections, maintenance, and asset management for rail equipment and highway fleet.
• Develop and monitor maintenance programs, schedules, and performance metrics; drive continuous improvement.
• Mentor and develop team members; conduct performance reviews and succession planning.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external partners to achieve shared objectives.

Skills

Leadership

Decision-making

Communication

Project leadership

Safety culture

Team development

Problem solving

Regulatory compliance

Education

High School Diploma

Business Management education

Tools

Maintenance reporting systems

Microsoft Office

QMP certification

Job description

Armstrong Collective is the parent company of Rocky Mountaineer and Canyon Spirit, creating unforgettable rail journeys through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in Western Canada and the American Southwest. Guided by our values, Create Meaningful Moments, Be One Team, and Achieve Extraordinary Outcomes, we show up every day with pride, ownership, and a shared commitment to excellence. We work hard, support one another, embrace new possibilities, and celebrate growth, all in a respectful and inclusive environment where integrity, collaboration, and passion for the guest experience lead the way.

Role Overview

Reporting to the Director, SOM USA, the Senior Manager, Mechanical is responsible for leading the execution of maintenance and operating plans for Rocky Mountaineer’s rail equipment, highway fleet, and mechanical facilities. This role translates operational objectives into action by ensuring the Mechanical team delivers safe, reliable, and efficient operations aligned with organizational priorities and regulatory requirements.

As a key member of the Operations leadership team, the Senior Manager fosters a high-performing, engaged workforce; drives continuous improvement; and collaborates across departments, host railways, regulatory agencies, contractors, Indigenous communities, and industry partners. The role exercises significant autonomy in decision-making while balancing safety, service excellence, equipment reliability, operational performance, and fiscal accountability.

This position is deemed Safety Sensitive and pre-employment testing will be required. This position requires you to periodically access an active railway area where impaired performance could result in a significant incident affecting the health and safety of team members, guests, the public, property, or the environment.

Key Responsibilities

Safety, Compliance & Risk Management

• Lead a culture of safety, accountability, and compliance by ensuring adherence to FRA regulations, GOI requirements, host railway rules, and all company safety standards.
• Ensure incident reporting, investigations, corrective actions, and Environmental Health & Safety processes are executed effectively.
• Conduct safety, compliance, and performance audits, proactively identify risks, and implement solutions that protect team members, guests, contractors, and assets.
• Serve as a first responder to critical incidents when required and support Emergency Operations Centre activities.

Mechanical Operations & Asset Management

• Oversee inspection, maintenance, cleaning, repair, provisioning, and servicing programs for rail equipment and the highway fleet.
• Ensure execution of the Systems Operating and Mechanical Plan while achieving equipment reliability, asset utilization, productivity, and on-time performance targets.
• Develop, monitor, and continuously improve maintenance programs, work orders, schedules, processes, and performance metrics.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance on equipment maintenance standards, regulatory requirements, schematics, manuals, and operating procedures.
• Lead execution of mechanical programs across all operating locations and support major maintenance and capital projects.
• Build engaged, diverse, and high-performing teams by fostering trust, collaboration, inclusion, and open communication.
• Recruit, develop, coach, and mentor team members while supporting succession planning and long-term talent development.
• Conduct performance reviews, provide timely feedback, create development plans, and recognize contributions that support engagement and retention.
• Empower employees to solve problems, make informed decisions, share ideas, and contribute to departmental and organizational goals.
• Ensure training, certification, and competency programs are in place to support operational excellence and regulatory compliance.

Strategic Planning & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with Operations, Safety, Commercial, and other stakeholders to deliver integrated operational objectives.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with regulatory agencies, host railways, contractors, industry partners, local communities, and Indigenous Peoples.
• Translate organizational priorities into actionable plans, manage competing priorities, and adapt resources to meet changing operational demands.
• Champion innovation, continuous improvement, and change initiatives that enhance safety, efficiency, service delivery, and the overall Rocky Mountaineer experience.

Financial & Business Performance

• Support development and execution of operating and capital budgets, including long-term asset and capital planning.
• Allocate resources effectively, manage costs responsibly, and ensure achievement of operational, mechanical, and financial targets.
• Analyze operational trends, identify improvement opportunities, and implement strategies that enhance scalability, performance, and business outcomes.

What You Bring

• Demonstrated ability to lead teams through change, build engagement, and create accountability for results.
• Strong decision-making, problem-solving, and risk assessment capabilities, including the ability to perform effectively in complex and ambiguous situations.
• Expertise in railway mechanical operations, equipment maintenance programs, regulatory compliance, and asset reliability.
• Ability to develop collaborative relationships across departments and external stakeholder groups.
• Strong communication, coaching, organizational, and project leadership skills.
• Commitment to safety excellence, operational discipline, and continuous improvement.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and maintenance or operational reporting systems.

Experience & Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required; post-secondary education in Business Management or a related discipline is an asset.
• Valid U.S. Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving record.
• 10+ years of railroad industry experience, including 5+ years in people leadership roles.
• Knowledge of FRA, AAR, and other applicable railway regulations.
• Experience with budgeting, capital planning, material management, and operational performance management.
• Qualified Maintenance Person (QMP) certification and First Aid certification are assets.
• Project management experience is an asset.
• Requires frequent travel.
• Physical demands may require lifting to 80 lbs on occasion
• Rail industrial site that requires walking and sitting throughout the day
• 24/7 operation that may require varied work schedules
• Schedule is Monday to Friday but will vary occasionally as the operation requires

Compensation

The base salary offered for this role is $111,000 to $125,000 USD per annum and can vary based on job-related expertise, qualifications, experience and internal equity.

Eligible for Armstrong Collective's discretionary bonus program.

Perks and Benefits

All team members regularly working 30 hours per week will be eligible for our group benefits plan, which includes:

• Medical, Dental, Vision care, and Life Insurance
• Armstrong Collective is covered under the Railroad Retirement Act. The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) administers the benefits programs covered under the Railroad Retirement Act, including retirement, survivor, unemployment, sickness, and disability benefits. For more information regarding the benefits of the RRB, visit the Railroad Retirement Board website at rrb.gov.
• Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance
• Business travel accident insurance and business travel emergency medical insurance
• Vacation time, sick time, and company holiday pay
• 401(k) plan (employee contributions only)
• Friends and family rail tickets and packages discount
• Two annual complimentary rail pass (beginning your 2nd season)
• Seasonal wage increases
• Growth opportunities
• Fun and inclusive team environment

We use E-Verify as part of our hiring practices to comply with having a lawful workforce.

The company is an equal opportunity employer, driven by our values of Creating Meaningful Moments, Being One Team, and Achieving Extraordinary Outcomes. Our strong company culture supports our vision of a diverse, open, safe, and respectful workplace. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members. If you require any accommodation during the application process or throughout your employment, please let us know. We will work with you to ensure your needs are met and to create a supportive environment.

This job description is not exhaustive of all duties and will encompass additional duties assigned. Responsibilities, title, reporting structure, and duties may be changed in response to business requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.