Senior Advisor, System Engineering Assurance

The role

Reporting to the Director, System Engineering, the Senior Advisor for System Engineering Assurance (SEA) plays a key role to ensure the project remains safe, reliable, and compliant with all standards throughout the system life cycle. This role is positioned within the authority, acting as a key representative to oversee and guide the project’s system engineering and assurance activities. You closely monitor the work done by the development partner during the Co‑Development Phase, ensuring their engineering documents and plans meet requirements. Throughout the project, you help guide the team through each phase, using decision gates—checkpoints where progress is reviewed and approved before moving forward. Your work supports clear decision‑making, manages risks, and ensures all engineering processes are consistent and well‑documented.

The Responsibilities

• Ensure the consistent application of Systems Engineering (SE) processes in accordance with internal policies and industry standards (e.g., ISO/IEC 15288, INCOSE SE Handbook, CENELEC).
• Lead RAM and System Safety Activities, reviewing the Private Development Partner (PDP)’s plans, analysis, and progress of activities.
• Support the development and assurance of System Engineering Management Plans (SEMPs) and System Assurance Management Plans (SAMPs).
• Evaluate the PDP’s process maturity and adherence to lifecycle requirements, SEA activities, and provide constructive feedback.
• Support the development and establishment of technical management processes including project planning and control, risk management, configuration management, and quality assurance.
• Oversee system engineering technical processes such as concept definition, system definition, requirements traceability matrix, architecture and design management, interface management, verification report reviews, and development of risk‑based validation strategies.
• Ensure that requirements from technical disciplines and stakeholders are identified and incorporated into project engineering documentation.
• Track and report non‑conformances and issues related to engineering processes or deliverables, including deviation impact analysis and identification of alternatives.
• Oversee configuration management activities to ensure consistency and integrity of system design and documentation across all phases of the project.
• Implement and maintain robust document control procedures to manage versioning, access, and archival of engineering records and technical documentation.
• Lead the management of deviations, ensuring that any departures from baseline requirements are properly assessed, justified, and approved through formal processes.
• Support and inform SEA activities, including compliance audits and the development of corrective actions necessary to guide and verify compliance efforts.

The Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in systems engineering, systems assurance, interface management, system integration, and commissioning.
• Familiarity with systems engineering standards and practices, product lifecycle concepts, requirements development guidelines, and system architecture.
• Proven experience in SEA for large‑scale programs, preferably in the railway sector.
• Experience with requirements management tools and workflows.
• Hands‑on experience in architecture, design, and development.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to leverage data and present dashboards effectively; strong executive communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast‑paced environment.

Key Competencies

• Familiarity with systems engineering standards: IEC 15288, ISO 24748, INCOSE SE Handbook.
• ASEP or CSEP certification, or equivalent qualifications, are considered an asset.
• Knowledge of Reliability, Availability, Maintainability, and Safety (RAMS) standards in railway or other industries; experience with Integrated Logistics Support (ILS).
• Experience in mission‑critical or safety‑critical domains, ideally within the railway industry.
• Fluency in both of Canada’s official languages is considered an asset.

Why join our innovative team?

• Basic paid group insurance for you and your family: medical, dental, life, disability, etc.
• Access to wellness and health accounts to support your lifestyle.
• Flex‑Alto account of $500 to encourage a healthier approach and a more sustainable mode of transportation.
• A retirement plan and savings options (RRSP and TFSA).
• Vacations based on experience, available upon hiring.
• An incentive compensation program.
• Flexible hybrid work mode.
• A work environment that encourages initiative, innovation, and forward‑thinking solutions.
• A unique opportunity to shape the future of transportation in Canada.

We work to create high‑performance, diversified teams

At Alto, we believe in the power of diverse teams. We aspire to provide an inclusive and equitable work environment where everyone can develop and flourish. Alto offers equal employment opportunities to all and invites qualified individuals, regardless of their identity, origin or situation, to apply.

Please let us know if you need any adjustments during the recruitment process. We will do our utmost to provide you with a fair and pleasant experience, while keeping any adjustments confidential.

We will communicate only with those candidates whose applications are selected for further consideration. To find out more about the entire project, visit Alto - Home.