Specialist, Automation Controls - Maintenance Planning

Join CPKC, North America’s first transnational railroad connecting U.S., Canada, and Mexico, where your career drives progress and safety is paramount. We connect communities, fuel economic growth, and provide meaningful work in a culture that values diversity, accountability, and pride. With opportunities for training, development, and advancement, you’re not just building a career—you’re part of something bigger. Together, we move goods, connect people, and create lasting change. Your future starts here.   PURPOSE OF THE POSITION: The Specialist, Automation Controls – Maintenance Planning provides technical leadership and automation expertise to support troubleshooting, maintenance planning, and reliability improvements for fixed plant control systems and equipment. This role develops and optimizes preventive and corrective maintenance plans, schedules, and repair strategies while ensuring automation systems operate safely, efficiently, and in compliance with operational standards. The position drives root ‑ cause analysis, enhances system reliability, and supports continuous improvement across plant automation and controls.   POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES: Troubleshoot fixed plant equipment, automation systems, and control logic; lead root cause analysis and implement reliability improvements Provide direction, coaching, and technical support to maintenance staff to strengthen technical capability and ensure safe, efficient work execution Commission, program, and troubleshoot automated/robotic systems, PLCs, HMIs, and related process control issues Create wiring diagrams, layout drawings, and documentation; oversee electrical panel builds, PLC wiring, testing, and system integration Develop and optimize preventive and corrective maintenance schedules; conduct inspections, audits, and field verifications to ensure compliance and equipment readiness Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives focused on automation reliability, productivity, and system optimization Provide clear, timely, and balanced feedback on job performance and safety behaviours; apply appropriate consequences in alignment with company policies Track, analyze, and communicate maintenance KPIs; support budgeting, work order management, and parts/inventory control using SAP Train and mentor maintenance personnel in advanced troubleshooting, predictive maintenance technologies, and best practices for automation and controls   POSITION REQUIREMENTS: High School Diploma or General Equivalency, post ‑ secondary technical training an asset Valid Driver’s License 10–15 years of fixed plant maintenance experience, with demonstrated troubleshooting and automation exposure; leadership experience considered an asset Industrial Electrician or Electrical/Electronic Technician with strong PLC programming, troubleshooting, and controls background Hands ‑ on experience with Allen Bradley and Siemens PLCs, ABB robotics, and VFD/drive systems Strong skills in preventive and predictive maintenance, CNC/automated equipment, and complex electrical/mechanical troubleshooting Experience leading unionized and non ‑ union teams with strong communication and interpersonal skills Knowledge of collective agreements considered an asset Proficiency in SAP and MS Office; ability to work effectively in a dynamic, fast ‑ paced, and continuously evolving environment   WHAT CPKC HAS TO OFFER: Flexible and competitive benefits package Competitive company pension and/or retirement plans Employee share purchase plan Annual fitness subsidy Part-time studies program   PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:   Medical and Drug Testing This is a safety sensitive position and a successful pre-employment medical assessment including physical, vision, hearing, and a negative company drug test is required. Post hire qualification drug testing may also be required.   Background Investigation Criminal history check Education verification Professional references Driver’s license verification and driving history   BECOMING A RAILROADER: As an employee with a North American presence, the possibility does exist that the location of your position may be changed based on organizational requirements.   Management Conductor Program Becoming a qualified conductor or locomotive engineer is the single best way for a management employee to learn the business at CPKC. You may be required to obtain a certification or to maintain your current certification/qualification as a conductor or locomotive engineer.   CULTURE OF INCLUSION: For our U.S. applicants, CPKC is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, inclusive of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For Canadian applicants CPKC is an employment equity employer committed to the principles of employment equity and inclusion. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply including: women, Black, Indigenous, Pe...