About Ontario Southland Railway

Ontario Southland Railway (OSR) is a short line railway providing safe, reliable freight service across Southwestern Ontario. Our team takes pride in maintaining high‑quality infrastructure, delivering exceptional customer service, and fostering a strong safety culture. As a locally rooted, community‑focused railway, OSR offers a hands‑on, collaborative work environment where every employee contributes directly to our success.

Position Summary

As a Mechanical Maintenance Technician, you’ll play an important role in keeping our railway operations safe, reliable, and running smoothly. Working as part of our maintenance team, you’ll inspect, test, maintain, repair, and fabricate components for locomotives, track units, and other company vehicles in accordance with company standards and Transport Canada requirements.

This is a hands-on role where you’ll use your mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, and fabrication skills to troubleshoot issues, complete preventative and corrective maintenance, and ensure our equipment is safe and ready for service. You’ll work closely with the operations and maintenance teams to identify problems, find practical solutions, and minimize equipment downtime.

If you take pride in quality workmanship and enjoy working with your hands to keep a railway moving, we’d like to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

Technical

- Perform locomotive inspections in accordance with company policies and Transport Canada requirements, including air brake cleaning, testing, and operational checks.
- Perform preventative and periodic maintenance on locomotives, diesel engines, and related equipment
- Repair, replace, and maintain locomotive and diesel engine components, including wheels, trucks, traction motors, springs, couplers, draft gear assemblies
- Troubleshoot mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical systems using appropriate diagnostic techniques and tools to identify issues and complete repairs efficiently.
- Safely operate and maintain shop equipment, including welding equipment, lubrication systems, grinders, hoists, and other tools and equipment used for vehicle maintenance and repair.
- Assist with fleet upgrades, modifications, and fabrication projects, including fitting and installing new components and modifying systems to meet operational, reliability, or safety requirements.
- Maintain accurate and timely maintenance records, documenting inspections, repairs, component replacements, testing, and other work performed in accordance with company and regulatory requirements.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and safe shop and work environment, ensuring tools, equipment, and work areas are properly maintained and readily available for use.

Safety





- Champion a strong safety culture within the Mechanical Maintenance team by consistently demonstrating safe work practices and supporting a workplace where safety is everyone's responsibility.
- Comply with all railway operating rules, company policies, and applicable regulatory requirements, including the Canadian Rail Operating Rules (CROR) and company safety procedures.
- Identify, report, and take appropriate action to address unsafe conditions, hazards, and behaviours in the workplace.
- Promptly report incidents, accidents, injuries, and near misses, and participate in investigations and corrective actions as required.
- Participate in safety meetings, training, inspections, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Maintain situational awareness when working around locomotives, railcars, heavy equipment, and moving equipment, and take appropriate precautions to protect yourself, your coworkers, and others in the work environment.

Qualifications

Required

- Hands-on experience performing mechanical maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs on heavy equipment, diesel engines, vehicles, or similar equipment.
- Strong mechanical aptitude with knowledge of diesel engines, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical systems.
- Experience with preventative and corrective maintenance and component servicing.
- Ability to diagnose and troubleshoot mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical issues using appropriate tools, testing equipment, and diagnostic techniques.
- Experience safely using common shop tools and equipment, including hoists, grinders, lubrication equipment, electrical testing instruments, and welding equipment.
- Ability to read and interpret technical manuals, schematics, drawings, and maintenance instructions and apply them accurately.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to completing maintenance and repair work safely, accurately, and to a high standard.
- Ability to maintain accurate maintenance records and documentation.
- Ability to work safely in a physically demanding environment, including lifting, climbing, bending, pulling, working at heights or in confined spaces, and working outdoors in varying weather conditions.
- Robust commitment to workplace safety, including the ability to identify, report, and address hazards and follow company safety procedures.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively, communicate effectively, and adapt to changing operational priorities.
- Valid Class G driver's licence (or equivalent) and a satisfactory driving record.

Preferred





- Completion of a recognized technical or trade program in Heavy Duty Mechanics, Industrial Mechanics, Automotive/Mechanical Technician, or a related field.
- Previous experience working in a railway maintenance environment.
- Experience maintaining and repairing diesel locomotives, track units, or other railway equipment.
- Experience with locomotive air brake systems and railway-specific mechanical components.
- Knowledge of railway operations, including yard and locomotive operations.
- Familiarity with Transport Canada regulations, Canadian Rail Operating Rules (CROR), and railway safety requirements related to mechanical maintenance.
- Experience with locomotive electrical systems, including lighting, traction motors, control circuits, and related components.
- Experience troubleshooting and repairing hydraulic and pneumatic systems, including cylinders, pumps, compressors, and related components.
- Journeyperson certification or Red Seal designation in Heavy Equipment Technician, Industrial Mechanic (Millwright), Automotive Service Technician, or another relevant trade.
- Experience with fabrication, equipment modifications, or fleet upgrades.
- Previous experience working in a shortline or industrial railway environment.

Work Environment

You’ll work primarily in a shop and yard environment, with exposure to heavy equipment, noise, varying weather conditions, and occasional irregular hours to support operational needs. A strong commitment to safety, attention to detail, mechanical aptitude, and a proactive approach to maintenance are essential to success in this role.

Why Join OSR?

- Locally owned, community‑focused railway
- Collaborative, tight‑knit team environment
- Hands‑on work with visible impact
- Opportunities for skill development and advancement
- Competitive compensation and benefits
- Manageable network with predictable Monday to Friday scheduling, with limited evening or weekend work as needed

Pay: $32.00-$35.00 per hour

Benefits:

- Dental care
- Extended health care
- RRSP match
- Vision care

Application question(s):

- Do you have a completed technical or trade program in Heavy Duty Mechanics, Industrial Mechanics, Automotive/Mechanical Technician, or a related field?
- Please briefly describe your experience diagnosing and repairing mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and/or electrical systems. What types of equipment have you worked on?
- Do you have previous experience working on railway equipment or in a railway environment?
- How many years of hands-on experience do you have performing mechanical maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs on heavy equipment, diesel engines, vehicles, or similar equipment?

Licence/Certification:

- Class G Licence (preferred)

Work Location: In person

📌 Mechanical Maintenance Technician (Canada)
🏢 Ontario Southland Railway
📍 Canada