Director, Rail Vehicle Maintenance

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR The Director, Rail Vehicle Maintenance provides leadership and strategic direction for CapMetro rail vehicle (fleet) maintenance operations, ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient revenue and non-revenue rail vehicle service. This role has full accountability for the operational performance, safety, and workforce and contract management of rail vehicle maintenance. The Director, Rail Vehicle Maintenance, is responsible for aligning vehicle maintenance operational initiatives with organizational goals and maintaining regulatory compliance across all vehicle maintenance functions. Reports directly to the VP, Rail Operations and provides leadership to the Manager, Vehicle Maintenance and all vehicle maintenance operational teams and contracted service providers. WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING Note: The duties and primary responsibilities below are intended to describe the general content of and requirements of this job and are not intended to be an exhaustive statement of duties. Vehicle Maintenance Operations Leadership & Oversight Provide strategic oversight and accountability for all rail vehicle maintenance functions, including preventive and corrective maintenance, vehicle inspections, and fleet readiness. Lead maintenance planning, scheduling, workforce deployment, and resource allocation to achieve safe, reliable, efficient, and high-performing operations. Workforce Management, Training & Contractor Oversight Direct the Manager, Vehicle Maintenance, and vehicle maintenance leadership personnel in overseeing frontline supervisors, mechanics, technicians, cleaners, and contracted maintenance providers, ensuring performance excellence, accountability, and contractual compliance. Develop, implement, and oversee all required vehicle maintenance training programs, including FRA-mandated training, certifications, and ongoing competency requirements for maintenance personnel. Performance Management & Strategic Initiatives Establish, monitor, and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) for rail vehicle maintenance; provide executive leadership with actionable reports, recommendations, and insights regarding operational performance, workforce needs, and strategic priorities. Develop and implement strategic initiatives that improve vehicle asset reliability, maintenance effectiveness, operational efficiency, service delivery, and long-term fleet performance, including new vehicle commissioning and rehabilitation programs. Coordinate vehicle maintenance capital and lifecycle planning priorities with the Director of Engineering Services and Capital Projects to ensure alignment across rail infrastructure and fleet investment. Safety, Compliance & Risk Management Implement and enforce vehicle maintenance policies, procedures, and safety protocols while ensuring compliance with all applicable federal, state, local, FRA, and rail industry regulations governing rail vehicle maintenance and inspection. Lead investigations of vehicle maintenance-related incidents and failures, identify root causes, implement corrective actions, and drive continuous risk mitigation efforts to prevent recurrence. Promote and sustain a safety-first culture focused on regulatory compliance, operational excellence, accountability, and proactive risk management across all vehicle maintenance disciplines. Work with applicable internal stakeholders as required to ensure compliance with CapMetro's System Safety and Security Plan. Budget & Contract Management Prepare, administer, and monitor vehicle maintenance operating and capital budgets, including funding requests and resource allocation. Oversee vehicle maintenance service contracts, negotiate with vendors, and manage capital program requirements related to fleet maintenance. CapMetro SMS Support & Other Duties Assigned Support Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority's Safety Management Systems (SMS) process by ensuring staff follow safety and security policies, consider safety in every action, and ensure safety and security concerns are reported. Perform other duties as required and/or assigned. RESPONSIBILITIES - SUPERVISORY AND/OR LEADERSHIP EXERCISED Direct and manage department personnel by planning, scheduling, delegating, and overseeing employee work assignments, authorizing, coordinating, and scheduling work with vendors and consultants, conducting personnel actions, including hiring, and interviewing, and overseeing hiring, training, work assignments, and performance evaluations. WHAT YOU BRING Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Business Administration, or a related technical field; advanced degrees preferred. Relevant experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis up to four years. Ten (10) years of progressive leadership experience in rail or transit operations. Six (6) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in rail or transit vehicle maintenance operations, with direct accountability for fleet maintenance performance. Advanced skill in word processing and spreadsheet software applications, such as Microsoft Office Suite or similar software. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Executive-level leadership and decision-making capabilities. Deep knowledge of rail vehicle maintenance operations, fleet systems and subsystems, safety standards, and regulatory compliance. Strong strategic planning, organizational, and performance management skills. Effective, professional communicator with the ability to influence and lead across the organization and work courteously with co-workers, contractors, agency personnel, and the public. Ability to find solutions to complex interpersonal, technical, financial, legal, and administrative problems. Working knowledge of Federal Railroad Administration and Federal Transit Administration principles, practices, and laws as they apply to rail vehicle maintenance. Ability to demonstrate a fiduciary obligation to the division, department, and Capital Metro in handling materials and information of a confidential nature. Ability to effectively supervise and direct consultants and contractors. WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS Work is generally performed in an office environment in which there is only minimal exposure to unpleasant and/or hazardous working conditions. This position works with multiple project timelines and is responsible for managing employees performing work of a complex nature. Incumbent must have the ability to stand and sit frequently throughout an eight-hour period, reach vertically for overhead use as well as horizontally. The incumbent in this role serves as an on-call escalation point and may be required to respond to emergencies, major service disruptions, or other critical operational incidents outside of normal operating hours. Must be able to use a telephone or headset equipment. Incumbents must be able to lift and move material weighing up to 20 lbs., perform work at a computer terminal for 6–8 hours a day, and function in an environment with constant interruptions. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disability to perform the essential functions as previously described. WORK AUTHORIZATION Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. All applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States. Mobility Status: As an Onsite position, the incumbent's primary workplace is a CapMetro facility or field location. Expected to work in the office 4+ days a week. Mobility status is subject to change at any time based on business needs or organizational decisions. COMMITMENT TO EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY CapMetro is an equal employment opportunity employer and committed to creating a welcoming environment for all employees. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, pregnancy, age, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. CapMetro makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and organization needs at the time. SECURITY SENSITIVE POSITION This position has been identified as a “Security Sensitive” position. CapMetro will conduct annual background checks on incumbents in this position. A position is “Security Sensitive” if the incumbent handles currency, has access to sensitive, computerized databases, has access to master keys, or works in an area of the CapMetro that has been designated as a security-sensitive area.