Operations & Maintenance Facilities Planning and Design Lead

Operations & Maintenance Facilities Planning and Design Lead

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At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

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Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

We believe transportation is more than movement, it’s the foundation of connected, thriving communities. As part of HDR’s Transportation Business Group, you’ll help shape the systems that move people and goods safely, efficiently, and sustainably. From designing resilient highways and iconic bridges to advancing transit, passenger and freight rail, aviation, federal transportation ports and marine infrastructure, your work will directly support economic vitality, public safety, sustainable and resilient communities and quality of life. We bring together planners, engineers, architects, construction management staff, environmental, strategic communications, economists, management consultants and specialists across disciplines to solve complex mobility challenges with innovation, technical excellence, and a deep understanding of community needs. Whether you're modernizing aging infrastructure or pioneering next-generation transportation solutions, your contributions will help define the future of mobility. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to lead progress, drive meaningful impact, and leave a legacy of smarter, more connected transportation networks. We are all employee-owners at HDR, which is the foundation of our collaborative culture that connects employees around the world.

HDR is seeking an Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Facilities Planning and Design Lead to provide leadership for operations and maintenance facility pursuits and projects with a primary focus on bus- and rail-based transit facilities across Canada.

This role is focused on the planning, programming, and design of vehicle operations, servicing, storage, inspection, and maintenance facilities, and will support projects ranging from early master planning and feasibility through detailed design and construction administration.

The successful candidate will bring deep experience with transit O&M equipment, facility process flows, and functional adjacencies, and will act as a trusted advisor to transit agencies, operators, and project teams. This position goes beyond traditional facility design management, placing strong emphasis on operational functionality, maintainability, safety, and long-term performance.

Key Responsibilities Transit O&M Facilities Leadership

• Lead the planning and design of operations and maintenance facilities, including fleet storage, servicing lanes, inspection areas, heavy maintenance shops, and non-revenue support spaces. Primary focus on bus and rail facilities.
• Provide subject-matter expertise in vehicle maintenance equipment and systems, such as: Hoists, lifting systems, and inspection pits; vehicle wash systems (automatic and manual); Fueling, charging, and alternative energy systems (diesel, CNG, hydrogen, battery-electric); Rail-specific systems (e.g., underfloor wheel lathes, traction power interfaces) where applicable.
• Define and validate facility process flows, operational adjacencies, and circulation for vehicles, staff, and materials.

Planning, Programming, and Early-Phase Design

• Lead facility programming, requirements and needs assessments, and master planning, including facility sizing, capacity analysis, growth planning, and phasing strategies.
• Translate operational and maintenance requirements into clear, actionable design criteria.
• Support development of concept depot track and building layouts, option analyses, and feasibility studies, ensuring operational intent is embedded early.
• Develop O&M organization staffing numbers including shifts per position to support/accommodate proposed facility designs.

Design Oversight and Coordination

• Provide technical oversight during conceptual, preliminary, and detailed design phases.
• Guide and coordinate multidisciplinary teams including architecture, structural, mechanical, electrical, civil, fire protection, rolling stock and rail systems.
• Ensure building systems and site design support safe, efficient, and maintainable operations, not just code compliance.
• Review equipment layouts, specifications, and integration with building and site infrastructure.

Project Delivery and Client Engagement

• Serve as Design Manager or discipline lead within the broader project management structure.
• Participate in and lead client workshops, design reviews, and operational work sessions.
• Coordinate submittals, shop drawing reviews, RFIs, and construction field observations.
• Contribute to pursuits and proposals for transit facility projects.

Preferred Qualifications

• A minimum of 15 years of experience in transit or industrial facility design, with a strong emphasis on transit operations and maintenance environments.
• Demonstrated experience planning and designing bus and/or rail-based O&M facilities.
• Deep understanding of O&M-driven design principles, including workflow efficiency, safety, maintainability, and lifecycle considerations.
• Experience working with Canadian transit agencies and railways such as TTC, Metrolinx, TransLink, BC Transit, CN, or CPKC.
• Experience with zero-emission transition and/or fleet electrification.
• Familiarity with Concept of Operations (ConOps) or operational readiness planning.
• Proficiency with digital delivery software (Revit, AutoCAD, SketchUp).
• Knowledge and experience with CAPEX and OPEX life-cycle costing /modeling for depot design and staffing.

Required Qualifications

• Associate's degree in engineering or related field of study or equivalent work experience
• A minimum of 15 years of engineering experience in the discipline to be supported
• Aptitude and demonstrated hands-on experience with computer applications specific to the discipline to be supported
• Extensive knowledge of industry standards specific to the discipline being supported
• Proven ability to work in multi-disciplinary environments
• Proficient with Microsoft Office
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement. The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.) The pay range for Toronto/Vancouver: $127,000- $182,000

At HDR, the health and safety of our employees is of the upmost importance. In accordance with local safety, health, and environmental legislation, HDR is committed to developing, maintaining, and enforcing proactive safe work policies, procedures, and standards.

In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and other applicable legislation, we are committed to meeting the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities. Candidates with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment and selection process by contacting our Human Resources team.

HDR is a certified Living Wage Employer in Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta.

Primary Location

Canada-Ontario-Toronto

Other Locations

Canada-British Columbia-Vancouver

Industry

Transit

Schedule

Full-time

Employee Status

Regular

BusinessClass

Rail and Transit Systems

Job Posting

Jul 23, 2026