Construction Manager — Railway Project in Arctic conditions

SYSTRA Canada is part of the SYSTRA group, an international consulting and engineering group, a world leader in the design of transport infrastructures. SYSTRA Canada is an engineering and consulting firm whose primary focus is to offer transportation solutions, whether for passengers or goods: feasibility studies of building a new railway line, increasing the capacity of the existing infrastructure, privatization of a railway.

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Context

The Construction Manager will lead the planning, coordination, and execution of a multi-year heavy civil and rail construction program on a remote location. This role is accountable for safely delivering earthworks, structures, track installation, tunnel and associated infrastructure in extreme Arctic conditions, ensuring schedule and budget compliance while respecting environmental, cultural, and regulatory frameworks. The position requires proven leadership in remote logistics, winter construction methodologies, and collaboration with Inuit organizations and local communities.

Missions/Main Duties

Project Delivery and Planning

The Construction Manager develops and maintains the construction execution plan, phasing, and look-ahead schedules aligned with the overall project baseline. They coordinate work packages for track, earthworks, tunnels, bridges, culverts, stations, maintenance facilities, and temporary works, integrating design updates and constructability reviews. They lead pre-construction planning, method statements, and risk workshops, and ensure resources, plant, and materials are mobilized effectively to meet seasonal windows.

Field Leadership and Coordination

Daily oversight includes directing superintendents, forepersons, and subcontractors, managing site logistics, and synchronizing multi-disciplinary crews. The manager chairs site coordination meetings, resolves interface issues, and enforces workfront readiness. They ensure accurate field engineering, surveying, and quality control for rail geometry, ballast, subgrade, and structural works.

Safety, Environment, and Quality

The Construction Manager champions a zero-harm safety culture, implements Arctic-specific safety protocols (cold stress, wildlife, ice/snow hazards), and ensures compliance with OHS regulations. They oversee environmental management plans, erosion/sediment controls, permafrost protection, wildlife interactions, spill response, and waste management aligned with Nunavut regulations and permit conditions. Quality management includes ITPs, inspections, materials testing, welding standards, track tolerances, and turnover documentation.

Indigenous and Community Engagement

They collaborate with Inuit organizations, local communities, and workforce partners to support employment, training, and procurement commitments. The manager respects cultural practices, integrates traditional knowledge into planning, and ensures clear communication regarding construction impacts, schedules, and mitigations.

Logistics and Remote Operations

The role manages complex supply chains involving sealift scheduling, air cargo, winter roads/ice crossings, and seasonal storage. The manager plans for redundancy, spares, and weather contingencies; coordinates fuel, heating, accommodation camps, and emergency response; and optimizes equipment utilization and maintenance in cold climates.

Budget, Schedule, and Reporting

They track production rates, costs, and contingency usage; maintain detailed schedules with Arctic seasonal constraints; and drive recovery plans as needed. The manager prepares weekly and monthly progress reports, dashboards, and forecasts; validates quantity tracking, earned value, and change orders; and supports claims and contract administration.

Interface Management and Stakeholder Coordination
They coordinate with design engineers, geotechnical, environmental specialists, rail systems providers (signals, communications, power), and owner’s representatives. The manager ensures timely RFIs, submittals, as-builts, and handover packages; supports commissioning and integration with operations; and manages third-party interfaces for utilities and access.

Profile/Skills

Education and Certifications

Candidates typically have a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, construction management, or a related field. Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) or equivalent credentials are preferred. Valid driver’s license and completion of advanced safety certifications (e.g., COR/OSHA equivalents, wilderness first aid) are assets.

Experience

The role requires 15+ years of heavy civil construction management with at least 10 years in rail or linear infrastructure. Demonstrated experience in remote, Arctic or sub-Arctic projects, winter construction, permafrost and tundra conditions, and marine/air logistics is essential. Experience delivering earthworks, bridges, and track works to stringent rail tolerances is required. Prior engagement with Indigenous communities and local hiring/training programs is strongly preferred.

Technical Competencies

Successful candidates possess expertise in:

• Construction planning, scheduling (Primavera P6/MS Project), and earned value management.
• Field engineering, surveying, and rail geometry controls.
• Cold-weather construction methods, winterization, and permafrost protection.
• Environmental compliance, permits, and mitigations for Arctic ecosystems.
• Contract administration, change management, and claims support.
• Quality management systems, ITPs, and materials testing for aggregates, concrete, steel, ballast, and track components.
• Remote logistics, camp operations, fuel management, and emergency response planning.

Leadership and Soft Skills

The Construction Manager demonstrates strong leadership, clear communication, and the ability to make decisions under pressure. They build high-performing teams, mentor staff, and maintain respectful relationships with Indigenous partners. They are adaptable, culturally aware, highly organized, and adept at problem-solving in constrained environments.

Working Conditions

This is a site-based role with rotational schedules and extended periods in a remote camp environment. Conditions include extreme cold, high winds, limited daylight in winter, wildlife presence, and rapidly changing weather. The role requires travel by air and participation in seasonal sealift logistics. Comprehensive PPE, cold-weather gear, and safety training are provided.

Health, Safety, and Environmental Commitment

The project is committed to the highest standards of health and safety, environmental stewardship, and respect for Inuit rights and local communities. The Construction Manager upholds these commitments in daily operations, decision-making, and team culture.

Compensation and Benefits
The package typically includes a competitive salary, rotational allowances, remote premiums, camp accommodations, travel coverage, comprehensive benefits, and professional development support. Relocation or rotational travel assistance is provided. Specifics will be tailored to candidate experience and project stage.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter highlighting relevant Arctic, rail, and heavy civil experience, leadership achievements, and examples of successful delivery in remote settings. References and evidence of certifications will be requested. Shortlisted candidates will participate in technical and behavioral interviews and may complete a case exercise focused on Arctic logistics and schedule recovery.

SYSTRA Canada is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer that values applications from all and offers employment equity based on the merits and abilities of candidates and personnel.

We use AI-enabled tools in our recruitment platform (iCIMS) for tasks like resume parsing and candidate matching. These tools do not make hiring decisions; all applications are reviewed by a human recruiter, and final decisions are made by our hiring team. For questions about our hiring process or AI tools, please contact [email protected].

Note: In this description, the masculine gender is used for easy reading purposes and includes the feminine.