The Senior Engineer-Geotechnical provides geotechnical engineering expertise for the CN US Region for the planning, inspection and design of construction and maintenance projects. Provides technically sound and economical solutions to geotechnical problems in all phases of company activities. Provides geotechnical support for emergency response to service interruption linked with geo-hazards. Select, direct and manage geotechnical consultants. Mitigate hazardous geotechnical conditions and to contribute in ensuring safe, efficient, and continuous rail operation.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Manage the monitoring of ground related hazardous conditions at required locations by conducting geotechnical inspection of railway tracks across CN. Mostly hi-rail and some by helicopters will conduct inspections. To complete site assessments and hazard evaluations for each inspection. Maintain geo-hazards database and to communicate findings and mitigation action plans in brief geotechnical reports. Development of annual capital and maintenance work projects to reduce and control the risks associated with railway ground hazards. Priority of site interventions to be determined from site inspection, monitoring and risk assessments.
Provide rapid emergency response & support for incidents involving track foundation failures, and washouts, by delivering engineering sound and practical solutions to restore stability and safety of railway operations. In such cases, quick field decisions are required based upon field observations, hazard and risk assessment, professional judgement and safety.
Select & manage geotechnical consultants for site inspection, subsurface investigation and design recommendations, by establishing terms and conditions of work, determining suitable budget for their work, approving payment, reviews findings and coordinates implementation in collaboration with Design & Construction, Track Maintenance, Bridges & Structures, and other groups as required. Prepare and/or review geotechnical engineering designs, construction drawings, and estimates for geotechnical work.
Ballast Management – Assist to evaluate state of deterioration of ballast in tracks and participate in ballast maintenance plan, check quality of ballast production from US quarries. Develop innovative geotechnical engineering methods applicable to CN operations. Keep abreast of research and technological developments through active participation in scientific associations. Deliver training courses and geotechnical guidelines for CN employees
Working Conditions:
Willing to do extensive travelling and helicopter inspection trips (generally weekdays but also on weekends).
Field inspection work generally will require walking up and down steep slopes, and at times in severe weather conditions.
Minimum Requirements:
Sound and practical understanding of geotechnical engineering (soil and rock mechanics, slope stabilization, retaining wall , deep and shallow foundation design, ballast mechanics & pavement construction).
Ability to assess natural hazard and manage associated risks.
Strong ability with specialty geotechnical software such as Geo-slope for slope analysis and retaining wall design
Ability to manage GIS program, GEMS and Google earth and data base program.
Skilled with windows suite (MS Excel, MS Word)
Ability to act calmly under pressure
Good knowledge of railway track, grade design & construction and bridge foundation design.
Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Geological Engineering is required.
Master’s degree in Geotechnical Engineering is preferred.
Registered Professional Engineer.
Experience with managing incident and emergency response
Minimum 10 years of geotechnical engineering experience.
Internal Number: req1041
About Canadian National Railway Company (CN)
CN transports 300 million tonnes of goods annually, touching the lives of millions of people every day. We’re not just a railroad; we’re an economic backbone and a leading North American transportation and logistics company.
Our People Make the Difference
From the generations of railroading families who helped build our great legacy, to the new employees who join our ranks every year and continue to ensure a strong, bright future for CN, we all make up the fabric of a diverse and evolving workforce.
Our Employee Experience
Over and above the competitive salaries, retirement savings plans and medical benefits we offer, our holistic approach to health reflects our commitment to the physical, mental, financial and professional well being of our railroaders and, by extension, their families.
At CN you’ll have more than just a job; we’ll help you build a stable, rewarding career.
