Senior OCS (Overhead Catenary System) Engineer

Joining Arup

Arup’s purpose, shared values, and collaborative approach has set us apart for over 80 years, guiding how we shape a better world.

We collaborate with public and private sector clients to unlock the transformative potential of railways. We offer a broad range of services spanning planning, design, delivery, systems integration, assurance, safety, and security assessments, and optimization of railway operation and maintenance performance to unlock the financial value for investors, asset owners, operators, and maintainers, while navigating the transition to low carbon and resilient rail.

You would be joining our multidisciplinary team focusing on technical excellence and innovative solutions that shape a better future for people and the planet.

We are looking for a talented and enthusiastic Senior OCS Engineer to join our lively and dynamic Rail team and help us shape a better world. Working with our world‑class team of dynamic engineers and designers, this role will cover an extremely wide variety of nationally important projects both in Canada and the US.

Our regional offices contain talented, multidisciplinary teams offering a broad range of professional services and expertise including railway design, construction, installation, and commissioning. In this post, you will be part of a team, responsible for the successful delivery of our design commissions for our major clients, including Metrolinx, VIA, TTC, BART, MTA and other railway agencies in Americas.

This job posting represents an active vacancy within our organization and is open for immediate recruitment.

The opportunity

Ensuring the successful delivery of technically excellent multidisciplinary rail projects and bids across our Canada portfolio, you will be responsible for determining the overhead catenary system (OCS) design requirements from our client brief and be able to make sound decisions and propose the right design solution. Thereafter produce the required OCS design to multidisciplinary design teams on large or medium‑sized projects. In addition, you would be aligning on and checking the OCS designs and calculations within implementation and renewal projects. Throughout the above, you would be collaborating and sharing knowledge, best practices and innovation across our business, providing guidance, training, and feedback with other related disciplines and skills, locally and across Americas.

All the while, you will have the freedom to work independently, managing your own personal development utilizing our in‑house and external training opportunities.

• Experience the requirements development and lead the design verification of OCS conceptual and detailed designs, including integration with power supply and other electrification enablers.
• Scheme and detailed design, including OCS layout plans, cross‑sections, sectioning diagrams, bill of quantity, bonding plans within multi‑disciplinary rail projects.
• Competent in the production of drawings using CAD (e.g. Bentley MicroStation) and design software (LinearDraft and ELF).
• Experience in undertaking site surveys or visits and reporting on asset conditions.
• Demonstrated experience OCS designs for rail stations, rail corridors, maintenance yards and facilities, and all other elements associated with operating a safe and reliable railway.
• Experience of OCS construction methods and installation practices.
• Assisting bid managers in preparing competitive tender submission or bids.
• Knowledge of third rail and other railway electrification systems.
• Knowledge and experience of traction supply and distribution.
• Ability to develop strong working relationships with clients and stakeholders.

You will have the opportunity to do socially useful work that has meaning – to Arup, to your career, to our members, and to the clients and communities we serve.

Is this role right for you?

• An appropriate university engineering degree, or equivalent qualification.
• Membership of relevant professional institutions or professional peer bodies such as Professional Engineer designation in Ontario, or similar would be preferable.
• 7 years’ experience in a senior OCS engineering role.

Please note that all applicants must apply directly via the job portal.

What We Offer You

At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together.

Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognizes the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.

We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling members to share in the results of our collective efforts.

Benefits at Work

At Arup, we have a comprehensive and valuable benefits program that works for our employees and their families. These are 100% paid for by Arup except for optional life insurance. These benefits provide health and welfare security for you as well as paid time off for rest and renewal. Our Global Profit Share Plan (paid bi‑annually) provides an opportunity for you to share in the success of the Firm. As a valued employee of Arup, you can also choose to participate in our GRRSP 5% company match to help you save for your future.

Flexible Working

We believe that flexible arrangements create a more inclusive way of working that supports our diversity and the wellbeing of our people. Options for alternative schedules and the ability to work outside of the office for a portion of your workweek are available.

Toronto Hiring Range

The good faith base salary hiring range for this job if performed in Toronto is $130,000 to $160,000 per year. This range is commensurate with experience, educational background, and skill level. Benefits are not included in the base salary. Please note hiring ranges for candidates performing work outside of Toronto will differ.

Different people, shared values

Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas – this drives our excellence.

Guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross‑cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion – we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference. Discover more about life at Arup at

Our Toronto office is located on ceded and unceded lands of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinabewaki, and the Haudenosaunee. We acknowledge this land and its people to build a shared understanding of how our collective past brings us to where we are today. Through our ever‑developing commitments, we strive to strengthen our relationships with this land, its people, and its treaties to shape a better, more inclusive world.

Our Application Process

We will be reviewing our candidates for this position on a rolling basis. Once you have applied you will be evaluated and potentially moved on to the next round, at which point a member of the talent resourcing team will reach out to you directly.

Arup Employment and Recruitment

Arup is an equal opportunity employer and will consider applications from all qualified individuals. Every job applicant will be treated equally, fairly and with respect regarding race, color, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, civil status, age (except as provided by law), creed/religion, political convictions, language, ethnic or national origin, disability/handicap, pardoned record of offences, social condition, and any other ground protected by the applicable human rights legislation.

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