Senior Rail Mechanical Operations Leader

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…