Officer, Signals and Communication Design

at  Canadian National Railway

At CN, everyday brings new and exciting challenges. You can expect an interesting environment where you’re part of making sure our business is running optimally and safely―helping keep the economy on track. We provide the kind of paid training and opportunities that long-term careers are built on and we recognize hard workers who strive to make a difference. You will be able to thrive in our close-knit, safety-focused culture working together as ONE TEAM. The careers we offer are meaningful because the work we do matters. Join us!

JOB SUMMARY

The Officer, Signals and Communication (S&C) Design is responsible for Signal Design and is in charge of modifying existing or designing new signal circuits for railway Centralized Traffic Control (CTC), wayside signal systems, and highway-railway grade crossing warning systems. The role is accountable for all aspects of safe and effective design of circuits, hardware and software for highway crossing and wayside signalling projects with focus specifically on ensuring that design, estimating, and material tabulations are safe, accurate, and meet S&C standards. Furthermore, the role understands and applies all government standards and regulations for published documents and to meet specific requirements.

REQUIREMENTS

Experience

Electrical

• Minimum 1 year of experience in any electrical discipline
• Between 1 to 3 years of experience in the following areas:

o Designing or testing signal circuits for CTC, interlocking and highway-railway grade cross warning system locations as well as estimating signal design projects*
o Scheduling and reviewing projects to ensure they meet government regulations, American Railway Engineering and Maintenance of Way Association (AREMA) and CN’s S&C standards*
o Programming logic controllers using Boolean or Ladder logic*

o Computer aided drafting software (CAD) and Bentley MicroStation CONNECT Edition and Microsoft Project

• Any experience for these above would be considered as an asset

Education/Certification/Designation

• Associate or Bachelor’s Degree in Computer, Electrical, Electronic, Systems Engineering, Engineering Technology, or equivalent

Competencies

• Communicates with impact
• Applies critical thinking
• Knows the business and stays current on industry needs
• Demonstrates agility and drives change
• Considers environmental impacts in every decision and action
• Identifies potential safety and security risks
• Collaborates with others and shares information
• Fluently bilingual both written and verbal (English, French) for Quebec based position

Technical Skills/Knowledge

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word)
• Knowledge of Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) or Transport Canada (TC) standards, rules, and regulations
• Knowledge of AREMA railway standards and recommendations

Project Design, Management, and Estimating

• Perform the role of frontline engineer for signal design projects, including handling and controlling project budgets, schedules, and quality
• Assist in the development of overall design concepts for projects and monitor progress of signal design contractors
• Coordinate with wiring vendors with work order requests for S&C projects
• Work with the S&C Material Coordinators to ensure approved work orders are converted to Purchase Orders (POs) as well as all other supporting crossing material is being processed and ordered as required

Field and Technical Support

• Provide field and technical support to install and maintain crossing warning systems functions within the railway
• Act as a technical resource for department personnel in the area of Signal Design for installation and construction functions within the railway

Working Conditions
The role has standard working conditions in an office environment with a regular workweek from Monday to Friday with intermittent periods of overtime. The role is partially performed outdoors in various types of weather and environmental conditions and requires being available on-call 24/7 to respond to critical incidences. Due to the nature of the role, the incumbent must be able to meet tight deadlines, handle pressure and manage stress. The role requires minimal travel (5%) within the assigned territory.