Signals Superintendent - MEC Transportation

Requisition ID: 182415

Job Level: Mid Level

Home District/Group: MEC Transportation District

Department: Field Supervision

Market: Transportation

Employment Type: Full Time

Position Overview

The Signals Superintendent is responsible for planning, coordinating, and supervising all field activities associated with transit signaling and train control system construction. This role provides frontline leadership for signal crews, subcontractors, and field engineers while ensuring work is executed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with project specifications, schedules, and quality requirements.

The Signals Superintendent oversees signal installation activities including wayside signaling, interlockings, switch machines, grade crossings, train control systems, fiber optic and communications infrastructure, signal houses, and related testing and commissioning support. The position serves as a key liaison between project management, engineering, client representatives, and craft personnel to successfully deliver rail transit and transportation projects.

District Overview

Mass. Electric Construction Co. (MEC) is a subsidiary of Kiewit Corporation, and an industry leader in transit and rail systems’ construction and maintenance throughout the United States and Canada. MEC specializes in the installation of Overhead Contact Systems (OCS), Traction Power Substations (TPSS), Signaling and Train Control, Communications, and Control Centers.

At MEC we maintain our commitment to hire the best people, provide the training needed to keep up with the demands of today’s work environment, and the opportunities to grow and advance within our organization. As the most experienced installer of rail and transit systems in North America, MEC takes pride in being recognized as the Systems Contractor of Choice delivering innovative solutions through aligning our technical expertise with our client’s objectives. We self-perform most disciplines providing, time, cost and scheduling efficiencies, as well as in-house expertise, resulting in seamless performance for our clients.

Location

This position will be based on a project in the Greater Toronto Area.

Responsibilities

Field Leadership & Operations

• Lead and supervise craft personnel, foremen, and subcontractors performing signal and train control installations.
• Coordinate daily and weekly construction activities to support project milestones and critical path schedules.
• Plan manpower, equipment, and material requirements for signal system installations.
• Monitor production rates and ensure crews are meeting schedule and productivity goals.
• Conduct daily field inspections to verify work complies with design drawings, specifications, and quality standards.
• Coordinate signal work with civil, track, OCS, traction power, communications, and third-party contractors.
• Resolve field conflicts and construction issues while minimizing impacts to cost and schedule.

Safety Leadership

• Promote and maintain a strong safety culture throughout all project activities.
• Lead pre-task planning, job hazard analyses (JHAs), and safety meetings.
• Ensure compliance with company safety programs, client requirements, railroad operating rules, and regulatory standards.
• Investigate incidents, identify corrective actions, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Schedule & Planning

• Develop and maintain short-term and long-range execution plans.
• Coordinate outages, track access windows, possession periods, and work block scheduling.
• Work closely with project management and field engineering teams to support schedule updates and recovery plans.
• Manage material deliveries to ensure crews have the resources necessary to execute work efficiently.

Quality Management

• Ensure all installations meet contract requirements and applicable railway standards.
• Verify proper installation of signal equipment, cable systems, conduits, signal houses, switch machines, grade crossing systems, and train control components.
• Support inspection, testing, and commissioning activities.
• Manage punch list resolution and turnover documentation.

Client & Stakeholder Coordination

• Serve as the primary field representative for signal-related construction activities.
• Participate in progress meetings with owners, consultants, transit agencies, and railroad representatives.
• Coordinate interfaces between engineering, procurement, operations, and commissioning teams.
• Foster positive working relationships with union labor, clients, and project stakeholders.

Cost Control

• Monitor labor productivity and equipment utilization.
• Support forecasting and resource planning activities.
• Identify and mitigate risks that could negatively affect budget or schedule performance.
• Ensure field execution aligns with project budgets and cost-control objectives.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of rail or transit construction experience with a strong emphasis on signal and train control systems.
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in a supervisory role such as General Foreman, Signal Foreman, or Superintendent.
• Experience supporting large-scale rail transit, commuter rail, freight rail, or light rail projects.
• Thorough understanding of:
  • Railway signaling systems
  • Interlockings
  • Grade crossing systems
  • Switch machines
  • Wayside signaling
  • Positive Train Control (PTC)
  • Communications backbone systems
  • Fiber optic infrastructure
  • Signal houses and equipment rooms
  • Testing and commissioning procedures

• Experience managing union labor environments is highly preferred.
• Ability to interpret construction drawings, wiring diagrams, testing procedures, and contract specifications.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Working knowledge of project scheduling and construction management software.
• Willingness to travel and relocate based on project needs.

Other Requirements:

• Regular, reliable attendance
• Work productively and meet deadlines timely
• Communicate and interact effectively and professionally with supervisors, employees, and others individually or in a team environment
• Perform work safely and effectively. Understand and follow oral and written instructions, including warning signs, equipment use, and other policies.
• Work during normal operating hours to organize and complete work within given deadlines. Work overtime and weekends as required.
• May work at various different locations and conditions may vary
• Openings are to fill both existing vacancies and newly created positions

Base Compensation: $115,000/yr - $166,000/yr
(Actual compensation is subject to variation due to such factors as education, experience, skillset, and/or location)

We offer our fulltime staff employees a comprehensive benefits package that’s among the best in our industry, including top-tier medical, dental and vision plans covering eligible employees and dependents, voluntary wellness and employee assistance programs, life insurance, disability, retirement plans with matching, and generous paid time off.

We believe in equal opportunity in employment practices without discrimination and comply with all laws regarding human rights in the provinces where we operate.