Specialist Solution and System Integration

At CN, we work together to move our company and North America forward. Be part of our Information & Technology (I&T) team, a critical piece of the engine that keeps us in motion.

From enterprise architecture to operational technology, our teams use the agile methodology to automate and digitize our railroad ensuring our operations run optimally and safely and our employees can focus on value-added tasks.

You will be able to develop your skills and career 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 role of Specialist Solution and System Integration (Outside / Inside Plant, Data Center & Edge environments) is responsible for the successful deployment and operations of critical infrastructure, technology solutions, systems, and services.

The Specialist ensures that all business requirements are met by project delivery and support function (24 / 7 on rotation basis) to optimize the global evolution of CN's I&T supporting infrastructure.

This key role will be responsible for ensuring availability, reliability, performance, resiliency, and physical security of all I&T governed physical environments.

This position requires strong analytical, judgement, and technical leadership skills to take critical technical delivery & operational decisions on all IT facilities infrastructure supporting CN Train Operations.

The Specialist will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of IT Facilities operations including facility infrastructure testing, preventive maintenance, service delivery, quality assurance, adherence to corporate standards / processes, oversight of all internal-customer hardware assets within the datacenter, and continuous operational improvement.

In addition will be managing external contractors and professional service partners.

Main responsibilities

The Specialist Solution and System Integration is responsible for the following activities :

Integration

• Engage with internal and external customers to capture requirements.
• Translate the technology solution architecture into engineering standards & specifications.
• Ensure that solution designed meet all business requirements.
• Establish deployment / migration strategy and guide delivery and operations teams.
• Manage all aspects of critical data center and outside plants supporting infrastructure delivery (electrical and mechanical).
• Enforce and revise as needed all MOPs, SOPs & EOPs and company practices, documentation, and processes, including business continuity and physical security management.
• Follow the Change and Release Management processes by initiating Change Controls and executing cut-over plans.
• Foster strong vendor relationships relating to IT Operations
• Drive strategic operational proof of concepts and pilot projects to support ongoing data center and outside plant evolution.
• Coordinate with internal and external customers / partners to ensure proper notification and communication.
• Provide technical consultation and leadership within projects and CN teams to develop, recommend and oversee delivery of various solutions aligned with corporate vision.
• Contributes to capital (CAPEX) and operational (OPEX) budgeting.

Operations

• Coordinate maintenance windows for installation, upgrades, and lifecycle of CN technologies with business owners and technicians in the field.
• Operate efficiently to achieve required uptime and service level agreement (SLA) compliance.
• Manage maintenance programs and ensure schedule is adhered to and coordinate with production requirements objectives.
• In the event of a major outage, manage and escalate the situation in adherence to current escalation procedures and disaster recovery plans.
• For support issues during project migration or deployment, determine appropriate resolution / solution through root cause analysis and impact analysis.
• Define and maintain engineering and configuration standards.
• Follow the Change and Release Management processes by initiating Change Controls and executing cut-over plans.
• Develop & manage site specific procedures, maintenance schedules and support contracts.
• Prepare to offer 24 / 7 support periodically (L2 / L3).
• Develops, implements, and coordinates procedures, maintenance standards / schedules and works to proactively improve existing standards to support site operations.

Continuous Service Improvement

• As part of the CSI (continual service improvement), the Specialist will drive improvements to maximize operating effectiveness.
• Continuously review and optimize existing and, if necessary, develop new processes and procedures to continuously improve overall operations and drive standardization and efficiencies as the business develops
• Transition-to-core : update of documentation, systems, training, and presentation
• Research emerging technologies - Drives IT Facilities initiatives related to cost efficiency, uptime requirements, environmental responsibility, and physical site security.

Governance

• Apply and ensure compliance with all appropriate CN I&T standards (e.g., Security, Architecture, Project Delivery Methodology, SOX, etc.)
• Supports Product Management function by maintaining scalable operations model with well documented roadmap.

Organizational impact

Decision Making & Impacts

The Specialist facilitates technical approach to Operations. This role will take key decisions by providing clear analysis and justifications to all aspects of CN IT Facility and Fiber Operations.

Level of Interaction / Influence

The Specialist position interfaces directly with many key stakeholders of the organization including :

• Facilities Management
• I&T Operation Center (ITCC) and Telecom Network Operations Center (TNOC)
• I&T SME's, internal and external including third party vendors and CN partners (e.g., S&C)
• Business Departments and all CN employees involved in core business activities.

Employees Supervised / Org Structure

The Specialist reports to the SOM

Requirements

Education / Certification / Designation

• College degree or equivalent experience and knowledge
• Engineering degree an asset
• Data Center Certifications preferred.
• Fiber Optic Certifications preferred.

General Skills / Knowledge

• In depth knowledge of core data center and edge facilities critical systems, including generators, UPS systems, fuel systems, switchgear, power distribution equipment, chillers, computer room air handlers, fire detection / suppression and building monitoring systems.
• Basic knowledge and experience with fiber optic outside plant with focus on construction management
• General understanding of IT ecosystems, particularly for large companies
• Proficiency with equipment specifications, contract terms, and bidding processes
• Ability to implement strategic direction to achieve results consistently.
• Process driven and able to turn strategy into tactical actionable tasks.
• Plans and recommends modifications or additions to the supporting infrastructure while considering uptime, capacity, and environmental responsibilities.
• Excellent verbal / written communication and interpersonal skills
• Very good prioritization capabilities

Experience

Minimum of 5 years facilities experience in mission critical environments.

Assets

• Knowledge of ITSM tools (e.g., Service Now)
• Adept at project management
• Organisational & process training (e.g., ITIL)
• Knowledge of DCIM tools
• Transportation or rail related experience
• Familiarity with financial management (CAPEX & OPEX)
• Experience with IT transformational initiatives
• Experience with Fiber Outside Plant

Working Conditions

• Support 24 / 7 business
• Part of on call rotation

About CN

CN is a world-class transportation leader and trade-enabler. Essential to the economy, to the customers, and to the communities it serves, CN safely transports more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods throughout North America every year.

As the only railroad connecting Canada's Eastern and Western coasts with the Southern tip of the U.S. through a 19,500 mile rail network, CN and its affiliates have been contributing to community prosperity and sustainable trade since 1919.

CN is committed to programs supporting social responsibility and environmental stewardship. At CN, we work as ONE TEAM, focused on safety, sustainability and our customers, providing operational and supply chain excellence to deliver results.

For internal candidates, note that the grade level of the position will depend on the employee's experience.

At CN, we are dedicated to building North America's safest, most inclusive and sustainable railroad, which includes reflecting the communities in which we operate.

Research shows that candidates from underrepresented groups often don't apply unless they feel they fit the job posting at 100%.

Even if you don't see yourself in every job requirement listed in a posting, we still encourage you to apply. If you require an accommodation for the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials, accessible meeting rooms or other accommodations), please reach out to our team at [email protected].

As an equal employment opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only candidates under consideration will be contacted. Please monitor your email on a regular basis, as communication is primarily made through email.