Manager, Energy Management Software and Solution Development, Operational Technology

Job Summary

Operating efficiently has been the hallmark of CN’s success, being a leader in the North American rail industry, consuming almost 15% less fuel per gross ton mile than the industry average.

Building on this success, CN has broadened its commitment to excellence in fuel efficiency in rail and yard operations.

The Manager, Energy Management Software and Solution Development, is responsible to lead a team that builds solutions to optimize fuel consumption.

This entails production of detailed functional designs for solution subsystem components while leveraging current Cloud, Mircoservices and DevSecOps driven technologies.

The role works with product management, architecture, business operations, and end users to build End-to-End architecture and development incumbent collaborates with other Design teams to ensure consistency and practices-based approach across the entire subsystem.

Moreover, the role is involved in the development, testing, integration stages up to the delivery and support to production.

Main Responsibilities

System & Software Design & Development 35%

• Complete specifications, design, and software development
• Build project development plan (Release scope, feature content, sprint user stories, microservice and feature development timelines)
• Support and enable planning, execution and delivery of multiple projects or product roadmap advancements
• Evolve solutions with new applications, containerization of existing products and evolution of technology to enable the CN automation roadmap, in partnership with Product Management
• Develop strong partnerships with Mechanical, Infrastructure, Supplier Management and support organizations
• Provide input into vendor roadmaps (where applicable) to evolve technologies aligned with CN’s vision
• Track new industry technology trends and demonstrate proficiency in their application
• Provide innovative solutions to improve CN’s operations

Delivery and Quality 35%

• Manage delivery of projects to ensure service level agreements (SLA) and key performance indicators (KPI) are met and / or exceeded
• Maintain tight control over schedule, risks, scope and budget
• Ensure delivery teams have a clear understanding of project requirements (inside an agile delivery methodology)
• Work with Project Managers during the project lifecycle to identify design, build, quality assurance lab and field-testing deliverables with associated estimates
• Lead the Development team to ensure design is fully understood and developed with high quality
• Apply and ensure compliance with all appropriate CN Information and Technology (I&T) standards (, Security, Architecture, Project Delivery Methodology, Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX), Telecom, Software Engineering)
• Define the deployment plan of the software and hardware in the project with the business and support Quality and Assurance (Q&A) from Engineers from a technical subsystem product owner perspective
• Provide high quality executive presentations to senior management and business partners, especially for project steering committee meetings
• Commit and be accountable to project deliverables
• Handle and be accountable for suppliers’ scope of work in partnership with supplier management that involves multiple organizations within CN
• Monitor progress and produce status reports
• Ensure project deadlines, quality standards, and cost targets are achieved
• Work with cross-functional teams to support positive interdepartmental partnerships

People Management 30%

• Partner with Human Resources (HR) to bring new talent to the organization
• Create and enable a positive work environment through frequent coaching and build connections with employees
• Handle staff, workloads, and provide creative solutions in a dynamic environment
• Provide coaching and feedback to staff and define goals in support of team objectives
• Develop team performance and set direction for goals and development of employees, conduct succession planning, and handle training requirements
• Complete employee annual performance reviews

Working Conditions

The role has standard working conditions in an office environment with a regular workweek from Monday to Friday. Due to the nature of the role, the incumbent must be able to meet tight deadlines, handle pressure, and stress.

The role requires minimal travel (10%) within Canada and the United States (

Requirements

Experience

Management in Technology Systems and Software Development

Minimum 6-7 years of experience in management roles involving development of Cloud enabled software solutions

Experience with microservice driven architectures

Experience with CI / CD development methods leveraging AzureDevOPs (ADO) pipeline management

Experience with software designs that leverage Kubernetes and Kafka tool sets

Experience working with Google Cloud Platform

Experience using Java, Python, GO software languages

Experience in system design, software development, integration, testing and delivery of high-quality products

• Minimum 10 years of overall work experience
• Minimum 5 years of experience demonstrating leadership qualities

Experience in a complex cross-functional organization and political environment to deliver complex end-to-end projects

Experience in working with Agile and Development Operations (DevOps) development organizations to handle backlog and team’s sprints

Experience Managing Life cycle of delivery of complex software solution

Significant experience in applying a structured systems engineering approach (V-model)

Expertise in design and delivery of embedded systems that are part of larger ecosystems ( Internet of Things (IoT))

Experience managing a team of at least 10 resources

Experience with executive presentations is an asset

Education / Certification / Designation

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Engineering or equivalent work experience
• Agile coach and / or scrum master certification is an asset
• Project Management Professional (PMP) is an asset

Competencies

• Strong team management skills
• Business acumen skills to deliver customer facing solutions, on time & on budget
• Sets goals consistent with CN's plan and is accountable for achieving results
• Communicates timely information across functions to get things done effectively
• Demonstrates analytical thinking and situational awareness when making decisions
• Addresses risks in a timely manner to eliminate them
• Innovates through problem solving
• Possess organizational, time-management and prioritizing competencies
• Inspires others with impactful communications and adapts to the audience through speech and writing
• Demonstrates good judgment in decision making and makes difficult and timely decisions
• Prioritize individual development and continuous learning
• Handles pressure and change by remaining calm to quickly adapt
• Builds a relationship with clients and provides valuable services

Technical Skills / Knowledge

• Knowledge of System, Software Engineering and Design Principles
• Hands on knowledge of Java, Python , GO languages is essential
• Hands on knowledge of Kubernetes, Kafka tools is essential
• Hands on knowledge of EITHER Azure OR Google OR AWS and DevSecOps principles is essential.
• Knowledge of state-of-the-art technologies : Electronic control systems, reliability, safety-critical systems, embedded environment, and cybersecurity
• Knowledge of networking topologies, protocols, and various communication stacks
• Strong knowledge of I&T environments and corporate infrastructure
• Proficient in documentation of complex concepts such as impact analysis, security models, performance and capacity planning, and strategic technical decision
• Knowledge of Locomotive Onboard technologies, Train Movement concepts and Energy Management solutions is considered a strong asset

Organizational Impact

Decision Making & Impacts

The incumbent , is accountable for influencing new technology adoption which includestimeline and budget constraints. The role collaborates with other managers and executives to ensure alignment of the overall plan and budget.

Level of Interaction / Influence

The incumbent interacts with both internal and external organizations, with frequent interactions with I&T executives and internal clients including Product Management, Architecture, Business, and Operations.

Outside of CN, the role drives outcomes through vendors and suppliers.

Employees Supervised / Organizational Structure

The incumbent reports to the Senior Manager, Energy Management Solutions (IT) and requires the direct supervision of approximately 10 non-unionized employees plus another 10 temporarily contracted resource.

This position is posted as a grade LEVEL 7. For internal candidates, note that the grade level of the position may adjust based on the employee's experience.