Head of Fleet

This position is associated with Bay State Rail’s proposal to operate the MBTA Commuter Rail network. Employment opportunities for this role are contingent upon Bay State Rail being awarded the contract and successful contract mobilization.

About Bay State Rail

Bay State Rail is a joint venture between Transdev North America and Transport UK and is one of three teams pursuing the opportunity to operate the MBTA Regional Rail network. Our team brings the expertise and vision needed to transform Boston regional rail into a service built for the common good. We are committed to delivering a modern, dependable rail system that strengthens communities, eases congestion, and drives a more sustainable future.

About the Role

The Director of Fleet Maintenance serves as the senior executive responsible for the strategic leadership, management, and oversight of all commuter rail rolling stock maintenance operations, ensuring the safe, reliable, and efficient delivery of passenger rail service. This role leads all aspects of locomotive and passenger coach maintenance, mechanical operations, fleet reliability, asset lifecycle management, and maintenance support functions for both revenue and non-revenue rail equipment, as well as associated maintenance facilities, shops, terminals, and yards. Operating in a highly regulated, safety-sensitive, 24/7 railroad environment, the Head of Fleet Maintenance is accountable for maintaining fleet availability and state of good repair while advancing operational performance, regulatory compliance, and service quality. This position provides executive leadership for mechanical operations supporting commuter rail service, coordinates with operating departments and host railroads, and ensures maintenance programs align with FRA regulations, APTA standards, railroad operating requirements, and agency goals.

Responsibilities

• Ensures safe, reliable, and available revenue and non-revenue rolling stock fleets, shops, and yards as well as integration into rail service to support on-time service.
• Oversees fleet reliability, asset/warranty management, maintenance planning, and capital fleet initiatives.
• Leads maintenance facilities, repair programs, inventory management, and new fleet implementation.
• Ensures compliance with FRA regulations, APTA standards, safety requirements, and quality programs.
• Collaborates with third parties, including railroads, Positive Train Control, system contractors, and consultants.
• Drives a culture of safety, accountability, operational excellence, service reliability, and efficiency.
• Liaises with other modes of transportation within the Massachusetts Bay Area and with Transdev and Transport UK senior leaders on best practice sharing, lessons learned, and proactive knowledge transfer.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible professional railroad mechanical experience, including significant leadership responsibility in commuter or passenger rail mechanical operations.
• Demonstrated direct responsibility for maintaining railroad passenger equipment in compliance with FRA regulations and APTA Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices for Passenger Railroad Equipment.
• Extensive experience overseeing locomotive and passenger car maintenance programs, fleet reliability initiatives, and railroad shop operations.
• Proven experience working in and leading within a unionized labor environment.
• Experience coordinating with host railroads, third-party rail operators, and contractors strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting fleet modernization programs and new rolling stock introduction preferred.

Skills

• Deep knowledge of railroad mechanical systems, rolling stock maintenance practices, FRA regulatory requirements, and commuter rail operations.
• Strong understanding of railroad safety principles, asset management, maintenance planning, and reliability engineering.
• Demonstrated executive leadership and strategic management experience in a 24/7 safety-critical rail environment.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with experience coordinating across railroad operations, labor organizations, and external partners.
• Excellent communication, decision-making, problem-solving, and organizational leadership skills.

The ideal candidate is a high-performing strategic leader who drives results and inspires others through integrity, accountability, and strong communication. Combines business acumen and continuous improvement to achieve sustainable business outcomes and enhance customer experience. Builds trust through self-awareness and ethical leadership while empowering others to reach their full potential. Cultivates strong stakeholder relationships, high-performing teams, and creates organizational agility to successfully navigate change and deliver long-term success.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package of minimum $180,000 – maximum $240,000
• Eligibility for an annual Short-Term Incentive (STI) opportunity

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Transdev complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodation for applicants and candidates with disabilities.

Transdev maintains a drug-free workplace. Applicants must successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen.