Assistant Chief Mechanical Officer - Locomotives

The Assistant Chief Mechanical Officer (ACMO), Locomotives is responsible for leading and directing all locomotive maintenance operations across the Florida East Coast Railway's mechanical facilities. This position provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and technical guidance to ensure locomotive reliability, regulatory compliance, workforce safety, and cost-effective maintenance practices. The ACMO partners closely with Transportation, Engineering, Network Operations, and Supply Chain to maximize fleet availability and support safe, efficient rail service throughout the FEC system.

Leadership Expectations

The Assistant Chief Mechanical Officer is expected to demonstrate visible safety leadership, develop high-performing teams, promote accountability, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. This position plays a critical role in ensuring the Florida East Coast Railway maintains a safe, reliable, and efficient locomotive fleet capable of meeting customer and operational demands.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight for all locomotive maintenance facilities, including shop operations, servicing tracks, inspections, repairs, rebuilds, and preventive maintenance programs.
• Ensure locomotives are maintained in compliance with Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Association of American Railroads (AAR), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and company standards.
• Develop and execute maintenance strategies that improve locomotive reliability, availability, and asset utilization.
• Direct shop supervisors, and mechanical personnel while fostering a culture centered on safety, accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Lead root cause failure analysis and corrective action initiatives to reduce service failures and improve fleet performance.
• Collaborate with Transportation and Network Operations to prioritize locomotive availability while minimizing service disruptions.
• Oversee preventive maintenance scheduling and major repair planning to maximize fleet readiness.
• Manage mechanical department budgets, labor utilization, overtime, materials, and capital projects while identifying opportunities for cost savings and process improvements.
• Ensure compliance with collective bargaining agreements, company policies, and applicable labor regulations.
• Lead employee development through coaching, mentoring, and technical training.
• Support emergency response activities and provide leadership during service interruptions or mechanical failures.
• Evaluate new technologies, maintenance practices, and equipment upgrades to enhance safety, reliability, and efficiency.
• Promote strong communication and collaboration across departments to achieve organizational goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, Transportation, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive railroad mechanical experience, including leadership of locomotive maintenance operations.
• Extensive knowledge of diesel-electric locomotive systems, FRA regulations, AAR rules, maintenance planning, and reliability-centered maintenance.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple maintenance facilities and large unionized workforces.
• Proven leadership in safety management systems, operational planning, budgeting, and workforce development.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and decision-making skills.
• Proficiency with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), Microsoft Office Suite, and operational reporting tools.
• Ability to travel throughout the Florida East Coast Railway system and respond to emergencies on a 24/7 basis when required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Mechanical Officer, Superintendent of locomotives, Shop Superintendent, or equivalent railroad leadership role.
• Experience with locomotive modernization, emissions compliance, and asset lifecycle management.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in office, shop, and outdoor railroad environments.
• Ability to walk on uneven surfaces, climb ladders, and inspect locomotives and maintenance facilities.
• Must be available to respond to operational emergencies outside normal business hours.
• Frequent travel between locomotive maintenance facilities is required.