Senior Manager, Railway and Systems Safety Assurance
Join a company that has been a part of moving Metro Vancouver for over 35 years.
British Columbia Rapid Transit Company Ltd. (BCRTC) maintains and operates the Expo and Millennium SkyTrain Lines from our central facilities in south Burnaby. Our services connect downtown Vancouver to the cities of Burnaby, New Westminster, Coquitlam, Port Moody and Surrey. With the future expansion of both the Expo and Millennium Lines gathering pace, infrastructure renewal and new asset acquisition projects underway, this is an exciting time to join our team of over 1,200 dedicated employees, working on one of the longest fully-automated rapid transit systems in the world.
Our work encompasses roles such as administration, engineering, elevator and escalator maintenance, field operations, vehicle maintenance, and wayside (station and guideway) maintenance.
When you work for SkyTrain, not only will you help move Metro Vancouver, you will also have access to comprehensive benefits including paid vacation, medical benefits, transit passes, training and more. We are a proud equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce.
Come explore what makes us one of BC’s Top Employers!
Responsibilities
PRIMARY PURPOSE
Provides Strategic leadership and expert advice in support of public transportation systems in the systems assurance and safety assurance discipline within an integrated, multi-jurisdictional environment. Leads and ensures compliance with local, provincial, federal, and Transport Canada regulations, international standards, and industry best practices for BCRTC engineering, maintenance, capital and expansion projects to support and evidence a safe, reliable and efficient rail service. Responsible for the implementation of and ensuring compliance and adherence to the Railway Safety Management System (SMS) for BCRTC and West Coast Express (WCE). Responsible for briefing the accountable executive on the state of safety assurance on existing operations and any introduction of new assets, including risk-based acceptance of new assets from project delivery.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
Leads system safety assurance elements to support projects and/or related maintenance activities for existing and new systems to address needs through a risk-based approach. Provides guidance and leadership on assurance impacts and the implications of proposed future changes, and ensures completion of risk and hazard analysis and other assurance activities. Develops, validates and champions the implementation of safety assurance practices, standards and relevant regulatory requirements.
Is responsible for the implementation of the Railway Safety Management System (SMS) at BCRTC and WCE. Works with all internal and external stakeholders (Operation, Maintenance, Engineering, Projects, TransLink, etc.) closely to ensure compliance with Railway Safety Act requirements and instruments, providing training, education, and problem solving through Railway safety-related committees and working groups, ensuring worker and passenger safety is fully achieved through different projects, initiatives, and campaigns. Is the main point of contact for Limits of Approach program.
Develops, implements, and maintains the Safety Assurance Management System (SAMS), including project and asset life cycle safety integration, Reliability, Availability, Maintainability, and Safety (RAMS) principles, hazard and risk management, and human factors integration. Ensures integration of safety from project inception through execution.
Directs the development and implementation of strategies, processes, practices, campaigns, and procedures to ensure safety assurance. Determines targets and measures for systems RAMS, systems assurance, risk analysis, and hazard identification including using tools like FMEA, FTA, and Event Tree Analysis.
Oversees the maintenance and reporting of data analytics for the entire Rail Safety and Security department supporting and collaborating closely with the Director to make sure data collection, data quality, analytics, and reporting follow a consistent process for the entire department.
Provides guidance and training on systems assurance, safety assurance, hazard log management and safety case processes, including providing support with integration with technical / engineering change processes.
Oversees the application of safety principles to operations, maintenance, and capital project activities. Provides advice to BCRTC stakeholders concerning safety standards (such as European and Canadian railway safety standards). Provides recommendations to mitigate and resolve issues and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
Audits processes, policies, and practices to ensure compliance with Railway Safety Act requirements, objectives, KPIs, and instruments. Acts as the BCRTC Railway Safety and Safety Assurance subject matter expert, liaising with external agencies such as TSBC.
Establishes the proper investigation methods and approach for railway safety incidents, including rule violations, incidents, and worker and customer injuries. Leads processes addressing railway safety concerns and incident reporting, investigation of Railway incidents, and root cause analysis, providing recommendations, setting targets, providing statistics and data analytics, and implementing initiatives and campaigns to reduce and eliminate incidents.
Leads consultation with Operations, Maintenance, Asset Integration Office (AIO), Engineering, and Asset Management teams in the development and assessment of system safety integrity levels as well as systems and railway safety assurance targets and KPIs while providing guidance on the appropriate risk-based approach that may be required. Reviews subcontractor proposals for RAM, safety assurance, and evaluations.
Liaises with the training department to support the development and proper delivery of Railway safety-related training topics.
Forms strong partnerships and develops trusted, productive, and highly responsive interactions with key stakeholders, including TransLink, CMBC, contractors at large, and any other relevant parties.
Supports Competency Management and the BCRTC Training Department on the design of employee competency and certification frameworks as required. In the absence of industry standards, is accountable for defining and auditing a standard training process relating to the discipline standard.
Manages reporting staff, including selection, development, coaching, managing performance, assigning/reviewing work and all other people management practices.
Qualifications
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
The requirements for this position would be acquired through a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Engineering with preferably a P.Eng designation, plus 10 years’ demonstrable experience in broad and diversified public infrastructure, and preferably transportation engineering experience with a minimum 5 years at a senior/professional subject matter expertise level.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Expert knowledge of the principles, theories, concepts and practices of the Systems Engineering or Industrial Engineering disciplines.
Expert knowledge of the relevant standards, legislation, acts and regulatory requirements pertaining to the rail industry.
Expert knowledge of rail safety management and assurance system development, regulations, and legislation, including the Railway SMS, and experience writing programs/processes in support of qualification to international standards such as ISO, BS/EN, APTA, CENELEC, and CMREA.
Advanced analytical thinking and problem-solving skills, to resolve critical and high impact technical issues and develop technical reports, standards, procedures, specifications and methods.
Expert decision-making skills to make recommendations and resolve complex system engineering and project-related issues.
Expert time management skills to balance and coordinate effort across multiple, concurrent activities.
Advanced interpersonal and communication skills to build trust by consulting and liaising with others and applying a team approach as needed to achieve solutions on moderately complex technical issues; and also to write and deliver comments, procedures, reports and presentations.
Other Information
Recruitment Process: An applicant will be required to demonstrate their suitability for this position by meeting the minimum level of qualifications and experience in order to be invited into the selection process. A standard interview format will be used including general, scenario and behavioural descriptive interview questions.
Work Schedule
37.50 hours per week.
Work Designation
Resident
This position works predominately on-site.
Rate of Pay
The salary for this position ranges from $117,600 - $176,400 per annum. Actual salary offered will be based on education, experience, skills, and qualifications as they relate to the role.
We aim to provide competitive pay that reflects your professional background and expertise. We want to ensure our offer will align with your strengths considering experience, skills, and internal equity to offer a fair and equitable salary. The Total Compensation Package, which includes Extended Health, Dental, Transit Pass and enrollment in the Public Service Pension Plan as well as other employment offerings will be discussed in detail as your application progresses.
How to Apply
Please click the 'Apply' button at the top right corner or go to http://www.translink.ca/careers to apply for this position and view instructions on the process.
INSTRUCTIONS: Please save your (1) cover letter, and your (2) resume as one pdf document prior to uploading your application on-line.
Posting Date: October 21, 2025
Closing Date: Open until filled
Please note that only those short listed will be contacted.
Having trouble applying? Please view the System Requirements & FAQ's by going to http://www.translink.ca/careers.
Equal Employment Opportunity
SkyTrain is committed to employment equity and building a diverse workforce, representative of the customers we serve and the many communities in the Metro Vancouver region. We welcome and encourage Indigenous applicants, people of colour, all genders, 2SLGBTQ+ and persons with disabilities to apply. Learn more about TransLink's commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. For a confidential inquiry, simply email us at jobs@translink.bc.ca.