Senior Advisor, Mechanical Engineering - Fleet Renewal Project

Did you know that VIA Rail is carrying out ambitious projects to modernize its services and infrastructure? From our new ultramodern train fleet to ongoing improvement of our infrastructure, we’re building the future of transportation in Canada. Working for VIA Rail is being a part of a collective effort in sustainable mobility.

Reporting to the Director, Engineering, the Senior Advisor, Mechanical Engineering - Fleet Renewal Project is accountable for all aspects of on‑board Mechanical systems for VIA Rail’s Long Distance, Regional and Remote (LDRR) new fleet programs, covering both locomotives and passenger cars. Acting as VIA Rail’s senior Mechanical authority, this role serves as the primary interface between internal stakeholders and rolling stock manufacturers throughout design, manufacturing, validation, fleet introduction and transition to revenue service. The position plays a critical role in ensuring Mechanical solutions are safe, compliant, reliable, and fit for long‑term operation.

Responsibilities

• Act as Mechanical Engineering Subject Matter Expert (SME) for LDRR locomotive and passenger car programs.
• Review, challenge and approve supplier designs, technical documentation and CDRLs related to Mechanical systems.
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory, safety, and technical requirements.
• Validate that proposed Mechanical solutions support operational, maintenance, and service needs over the full lifecycle.
• Collaborate with internal teams including Operations, Maintenance, Services and Project Management.
• Lead technical discussions with rolling stock manufacturers and external engineering advisors.
• Support smooth fleet introduction and transition into revenue service.

Provide technical expertise to LDRR engineering.

• Participate in the review and acceptance of all documentation, design stages, and validation tools related to Mechanical engineering on LDRR Cars and Locomotive projects.
• Collaborate closely with the locomotive and cars supplier, playing a central role in key decisions regarding Mechanical systems, and work efficiently with the other streams to achieve the best design for VIA Rail.

Provide technical guidance and oversight to the Operations and Services teams, as well as the TSSSA teams, in developing their respective streams. Ensure adherence to technical specification, regulatory and technical standards to create a while also maintaining an operationally efficient and safe working environment for train crews.

• Represent LDRR Engineering for Mechanical Systems.
• Represent Engineering in engagements with VIA Rail internal stakeholders for Mechanical systems, ensuring seamless communication and coordination, and validating that proposed locomotive and passenger car Mechanical solutions meet operational, maintenance, service, and safety needs throughout fleet introduction and transition to operations.

What We Are Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering (or equivalent).
• Member in good standing of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec (OIQ).
• Minimum 10 years of experience in rolling stock or rail Mechanical systems.
• Strong technical judgement and decision‑making abilities.
• Proven ability to influence without direct authority in a matrix organisation.
• Excellent analytical and root‑cause problem‑solving skills.
• Strong communication and stakeholder‑management skills.
• Comfortable working in complex, multi‑disciplinary project environments.
• Bilingual (French and English).

At VIA Rail, we are proud to be an employment-equity employer and we strive to form teams that reflect the diversity of Canadian society. We aim to remove barriers to employment accessibility and aspire to provide an inclusive and equitable work environment where everyone is valued, regardless of their identity or differences, to enable them to reach their full potential.

If you need assistance in making the recruitment process or the position you are applying for more accessible, please let us know. Alternate arrangements may be offered to individuals who request them at any stage of the recruitment process. All information received in relation to arrangements will be kept confidential.

Note that we will only contact those who are selected for an interview.

Join our 3,000 other employees in helping provide Canadians with a safe, accessible, environmentally sustainable way to travel!