Station and Stops Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Station and Stops Design Manager

Company: SYSTRA

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Transit & Facilities Design Management (Architecture/Engineering Operations)

Date Posted: April 9, 2026

Experience Level: Senior (10+ years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and manage all project phases for transit and transportation facilities, from initial planning and feasibility through detailed design and construction support, ensuring adherence to scope, schedule, budget, and quality objectives.

• Serve as the primary Architectural Lead and/or Project Manager for complex transit facilities, expertly coordinating architectural design elements with civil, structural, MEP, systems, rail, operations, safety, and sustainability requirements to deliver integrated solutions.

• Champion design quality management and implement best practices, ensuring all project deliverables meet SYSTRA and client standards, applicable Canadian building codes, and regulatory authority requirements.

• Drive the BIM strategy and execution, including model-based coordination, clash detection workflows, and BIM execution planning, while also identifying and addressing team capability gaps.

• Act as a key client-facing representative, fostering strong relationships and effectively managing stakeholder expectations through workshops, design reviews, and collaborative engagement activities.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior leadership opportunity within SYSTRA Canada's Rail & Transit business in Ontario. The emphasis on "transit facilities, maintenance and storage facilities, rail depots, and TPSS facilities" with a "strong civil and building background" indicates a focus on operational infrastructure design. The requirement for "comprehensive design review and defect identification across whole-station packages, ensuring compliance with Ontario building codes and project standards" highlights a critical quality assurance and compliance function within the operations of the design process. The role blends architectural expertise with project management and deep understanding of public infrastructure requirements.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Oversee the end-to-end project lifecycle for transit facilities, including planning, feasibility studies, concept development, schematic design, detailed design, and construction support.

• Ensure that all designs are aligned with critical transit operating needs, focusing on maintainability, passenger experience, safety, security, accessibility, and resilience.

• Act as the primary architectural point of contact for clients and stakeholders, building and maintaining trusted relationships and proactively addressing feedback.

• Lead and facilitate multidisciplinary design reviews, value engineering sessions, and stakeholder engagement activities involving owners, operators, municipalities, Indigenous communities, constructors, and third-party agencies.

• Implement and manage BIM strategy and execution, including model-based coordination, clash detection, and BIM execution plan development, while also identifying and addressing team capability gaps.

• Provide technical direction, mentorship, and performance review for high-performing design teams, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.

• Champion design quality management and best practices, ensuring all deliverables adhere to SYSTRA and client standards, applicable codes, and authority requirements.

• Lead business development efforts, including proposal writing, technical leadership during pursuits, interview participation, and client strategy development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities clearly delineate a leadership role focused on the operational aspects of design delivery for transit infrastructure. The emphasis on "coordinating architectural design with civil, structural, MEP, systems, rail, operations, safety, and sustainability requirements" underlines the need for a holistic understanding of how design impacts operational efficiency and long-term viability. The requirement to "review multidisciplinary designs, identifying deficiencies, and providing structured feedback to stakeholders" points to a critical quality assurance function within the design operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Architecture (or a closely related field) or an equivalent combination of education and extensive relevant experience.

Experience: A minimum of 20 years of progressively responsible experience in delivering transit/transportation facilities, including stations, depots, maintenance facilities, operations buildings, and/or intermodal facilities.

Required Skills:

• Registered Architect (or actively progressing towards registration) with a Canadian provincial association and membership in the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (OALA).

• Demonstrated leadership in managing complex transit facility projects through all design phases, from feasibility to detailed design and construction support, including the coordination of multidisciplinary teams.

• Profound knowledge of Canadian building codes, accessibility requirements, and life-safety principles as applied to large-scale public and infrastructure facilities.

• Proven experience working with alternative project delivery models such as Design-Build, Public-Private Partnerships (P3), and Alliance/CM, including understanding architect responsibilities during procurement and construction phases.

• Business development acumen, including experience with proposal writing, leading technical aspects of pursuits, client interviews, and developing client strategies.

Preferred Skills:

• High proficiency in Building Information Modeling (BIM) and associated design software, including Revit, AutoCAD, and Navisworks, with experience in coordination workflows.

• Familiarity with SketchUp and/or MicroStation.

• Experience in developing BIM Execution Plans, implementing digital Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) processes, and managing model-based coordination practices across various disciplines.

• Familiarity with the specific standards and approval processes of transit agencies and stakeholders involved in major public infrastructure programs in Ontario.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for OALA membership is unusual for a pure architectural role and suggests a strong emphasis on the integration of landscape architecture and urban design principles into transit station planning, impacting the user experience and integration with the surrounding environment. The combination of extensive experience, professional registration, and specific knowledge of Canadian codes and alternative delivery models points to a highly specialized and senior operations role within the design and engineering sector.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 complex transit facility projects (stations, depots, maintenance facilities) that demonstrate end-to-end project leadership from concept to construction support.

• Clearly articulate your role and responsibilities in each project, emphasizing leadership, design coordination, code compliance, and stakeholder management.

• Provide evidence of managing multidisciplinary design teams and integrating diverse engineering disciplines (civil, structural, MEP, systems, rail).

• Highlight examples of successful application of BIM, including coordination, clash detection, and model-based workflows, showcasing your understanding of digital delivery processes.

Process Documentation:

• Detail your approach to managing the design process from feasibility to construction support, including key milestones, decision points, and quality control checkpoints.

• Explain your methodology for leading design reviews, value engineering sessions, and stakeholder engagement activities.

• Describe your strategy for BIM execution and model-based coordination, including how you ensure interdisciplinary alignment and resolve clashes.

• Outline your process for ensuring compliance with Canadian building codes, accessibility standards, and transit agency-specific requirements.

• Provide examples of how you have implemented or improved design QA/QC processes within project teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role of this seniority, a portfolio is crucial. It should not just list projects but showcase the candidate's strategic approach to design operations, their ability to manage complex interdependencies, and their leadership in ensuring quality and compliance within large-scale infrastructure projects. The emphasis on BIM and digital delivery indicates a need to see how these systems are integrated into the practical workflow of design operations.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $150,000 - $175,000 CAD per year.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Pension plan or RRSP matching program.

• Paid time off, including vacation days, personal days, and statutory holidays.

• Professional development opportunities, including training, conferences, and support for certifications.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for confidential counseling and support.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses or profit sharing.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, standard business hours, with potential for flexibility based on project needs and deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range [$150,000 - $175,000 CAD] is consistent with senior-level architectural and design management roles in a major metropolitan area like Toronto, especially within specialized sectors like transit infrastructure. This range reflects the significant experience (20+ years), leadership responsibilities, and technical expertise required for this position. The benefits package is expected to be competitive for a large, international engineering firm like SYSTRA, supporting senior professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: SYSTRA operates globally within the Transportation and Infrastructure Consulting & Engineering sector, specializing in public transport, urban mobility, and complex infrastructure projects. This context means the operations environment is geared towards large-scale, long-term projects with significant stakeholder involvement.

Company Size: SYSTRA is a large international group. SYSTRA Canada likely represents a significant, growing division within this global entity. A larger company size suggests structured processes, established project management methodologies, and a broad network of expertise, which can be beneficial for operations professionals seeking stability and resources.

Founded: The SYSTRA group was founded in 1957, providing a long history of expertise and stability in the engineering and consulting field. This historical depth implies a mature operational framework and a proven track record in delivering complex projects.

Team Structure:

• The operations team for this role will likely be part of SYSTRA Canada's Rail & Transit business unit, focusing on the Ontario market.

• It will include a multidisciplinary team of architects, engineers (civil, structural, MEP, rail), BIM specialists, and potentially project coordinators.

• The reporting structure will place the Station and Stops Design Manager directly under a senior director or vice president within the Rail & Transit division, with direct oversight of project teams.

Methodology:

• SYSTRA likely employs rigorous project management methodologies (e.g., PRINCE2, PMBOK) and design management frameworks.

• Data-driven decision-making is paramount, utilizing project management software, BIM data, and performance metrics to track progress and identify areas for operational improvement.

• Workflow optimization is a continuous focus, driven by the need to deliver complex projects efficiently and cost-effectively, often leveraging digital tools and best practices in design coordination.

Company Website: https://www.systra.com/ and https://www.systracanada.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: SYSTRA's global presence and long history suggest a professional, process-oriented operational environment. The focus on transit infrastructure implies a culture that values safety, reliability, and long-term impact. The specific mention of "growing our Ontario Rail & Transit business" indicates a dynamic, expansion-focused operational context.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at a senior management level, specifically focused on leading the design operations for transit and transportation facilities. It requires a blend of deep technical architectural expertise, strategic project leadership, and client relationship management. The scope of responsibility extends to managing multidisciplinary teams and ensuring the successful delivery of complex, high-value infrastructure projects.

Reporting Structure: The Station and Stops Design Manager will report to a senior leader within SYSTRA Canada's Rail & Transit division, likely a Director or Vice President. They will directly manage project-specific design teams, which will include architects, engineers, and BIM specialists. This structure allows for both strategic direction from senior leadership and operational execution by the manager.

Operations Impact: The operations managed by this role have a direct and significant impact on the success of major rail and transit infrastructure projects. Effective design operations translate into projects that are delivered on time, within budget, meet stringent safety and quality standards, and ultimately provide efficient and effective transportation solutions for the public. The manager's ability to lead design reviews and ensure compliance directly mitigates risks associated with construction defects and operational failures.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to advance into director-level roles, overseeing larger portfolios of projects or expanding into broader business development responsibilities within SYSTRA Canada.

• Specialization Expansion: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific transit facility types or gain broader experience in areas like urban planning, sustainability integration, or alternative delivery model management.

• Mentorship and Training: Play a key role in mentoring junior architects and engineers, contributing to the development of SYSTRA's talent pool and establishing best practices in design operations.

• Global Mobility: As part of an international group, there may be opportunities for international assignments or collaboration on global projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a significant step in a career focused on infrastructure design management. The growth potential is tied to expanding operational leadership, strategic business contributions, and developing expertise in complex, large-scale transit projects within a reputable global firm.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in a professional office environment in Toronto, Ontario, at SYSTRA's corporate location. This setting typically offers a structured workspace with dedicated areas for individual work, team collaboration, and client meetings.

Office Location(s): Suite 1800, 145 King Street West, Toronto, ON M5H1J8. This central downtown Toronto location is accessible via public transit and offers a professional business district environment.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will support a collaborative environment where design teams can convene for reviews, brainstorming sessions, and coordination meetings.

• Access to necessary operations tools and technology, including high-performance workstations, BIM software, project management platforms, and communication tools, will be provided.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with peers, project managers, and senior leadership will foster knowledge sharing and professional development within the operations framework.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week, typically within business hours (e.g., 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM). However, given the nature of project delivery in the infrastructure sector, occasional flexibility may be required to meet critical deadlines, attend client meetings, or address urgent project needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: An on-site role in a major city like Toronto implies a professional, collaborative office setting that supports the intensive coordination and communication required for large infrastructure projects. The specific address indicates a prime business location, suggesting a well-established and professional operational base.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter will review applications and resumes, focusing on alignment with the required experience, qualifications, and key skills.

• Technical Interview: A conversation with a hiring manager or senior technical lead to delve deeper into your experience with transit facility design, project leadership, BIM implementation, and knowledge of codes and standards. Be prepared to discuss specific projects and challenges.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session to present your portfolio. This is a critical step where you will walk through selected projects, explaining your role, contributions, design processes, and outcomes. Focus on demonstrating your ability to manage complex multidisciplinary designs and ensure quality.

• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: Meetings with potential team members and other stakeholders to assess collaboration style, leadership approach, and cultural alignment with SYSTRA.

• Final Interview: Discussions with senior leadership to confirm suitability for the role and discuss compensation and terms.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 projects that best showcase your leadership in transit station and facility design, multidisciplinary coordination, and successful project delivery.

• Focus on Operations: For each project, clearly articulate the design process you managed, the operational challenges faced (e.g., code compliance, stakeholder coordination, site constraints), and how you applied BIM and other tools to achieve project objectives.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, highlight quantifiable achievements, such as cost savings through value engineering, schedule adherence, or successful mitigation of design risks.

• Visual Storytelling: Use high-quality visuals (renderings, plans, diagrams) to illustrate your designs and processes.

• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design philosophy, leadership style, problem-solving approaches, and how you handle conflicts or difficult stakeholders.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to discuss your approach to leading design reviews, identifying deficiencies, and providing constructive feedback.

• Prepare to talk about your experience with BIM execution plans and model-based coordination workflows.

• Think about how you would approach integrating sustainability and accessibility requirements into transit facility designs.

• Understand the key challenges in delivering large infrastructure projects in Ontario and how you would address them from a design operations perspective.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a senior role like this will be rigorous and comprehensive. The portfolio review is paramount, serving as the primary evidence of your operational capabilities and past successes in managing complex design projects. Emphasizing the process and operations behind your project achievements will be key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• BIM Software: Revit (required), AutoCAD (required), Navisworks (required for coordination and clash detection).

• Design & Visualization: SketchUp (asset), MicroStation (asset). Familiarity with these tools is beneficial for understanding multidisciplinary inputs and presenting design concepts.

• Project Management: Experience with project management software for scheduling, resource allocation, and progress tracking (e.g., MS Project, Primavera, or similar enterprise-level platforms).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Clash Detection Tools: Navisworks Manage or similar for identifying and resolving interdisciplinary clashes.

• Performance Reporting: Utilizing project management dashboards and BIM analytics to track design progress, identify bottlenecks, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) related to design delivery.

• Data Analysis: Ability to interpret data from BIM models and project reports to inform design decisions and operational improvements.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding client relationship management principles is key for stakeholder engagement.

• Automation within design processes is primarily driven by BIM workflows, model-based coordination, and potentially scripting for repetitive tasks within design software.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in BIM software, particularly Revit and Navisworks, is critical. The role requires not just using these tools but understanding how to deploy them strategically for effective design coordination and quality assurance within large infrastructure projects. This proficiency is a core component of the operational technology stack for this position.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence in Delivery: A commitment to high-quality design output that meets all project requirements, codes, and client expectations, driving operational efficiency and client satisfaction.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering an environment where multidisciplinary teams can work together effectively, share knowledge, and support each other to achieve common project goals.

• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Encouraging the adoption of new technologies (like advanced BIM workflows) and methodologies to enhance design processes, improve efficiency, and deliver better outcomes.

• Integrity & Professionalism: Upholding the highest ethical standards in all professional dealings, ensuring transparency, and acting with accountability in managing projects and client relationships.

• Safety & Accessibility: A deep-seated commitment to designing safe, secure, and accessible facilities that serve the public effectively and responsibly.

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive & Integrated: Encouraging early and continuous collaboration among all design disciplines and stakeholders to align on project objectives and resolve issues proactively.

• Feedback-Oriented: Cultivating a culture where constructive feedback is welcomed and used to refine designs and improve processes, particularly during design reviews and coordination meetings.

• Knowledge Sharing: Promoting the exchange of best practices, lessons learned, and technical expertise across project teams and within the broader SYSTRA Canada organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: SYSTRA's global operations and focus on public infrastructure suggest a culture that values precision, reliability, and a strong sense of purpose. The emphasis on collaboration and continuous improvement is vital for managing complex, multidisciplinary design operations effectively.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Managing Multidisciplinary Complexity: Coordinating diverse engineering disciplines, each with its own standards and priorities, to achieve a cohesive and functional design for complex transit facilities.

• Navigating Regulatory Environments: Ensuring strict compliance with evolving Canadian building codes, accessibility standards, and specific transit agency requirements, which can be intricate and demanding.

• Client and Stakeholder Alignment: Balancing the varied expectations and needs of multiple stakeholders (clients, operators, municipalities, community groups) throughout lengthy project lifecycles.

• Adopting Digital Transformation: Driving the effective adoption and integration of advanced BIM and digital tools across project teams, overcoming potential resistance to change and ensuring team capability.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced BIM & Digital Design: Opportunities to deepen expertise in cutting-edge BIM applications, digital twin technologies, and data analytics for infrastructure design.

• Project Leadership & Management: Formal training and hands-on experience in leading large-scale, high-profile transit projects, potentially including alternative delivery models like P3.

• Industry Best Practices: Exposure to best practices in transit design, sustainability integration, and resilience planning through involvement in major projects and industry events.

• Mentorship and Succession Planning: Developing leadership skills through mentoring junior staff and potentially contributing to SYSTRA's succession planning for key operational roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to large-scale infrastructure projects. The growth opportunities are directly linked to mastering these challenges, expanding operational leadership, and staying at the forefront of digital design and project delivery methodologies in the transit sector.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for leading a multidisciplinary design team through the detailed design phase of a major transit station project. What are the key operational checkpoints?"

• "How do you ensure compliance with the Ontario Building Code and accessibility standards across all design disciplines for a complex public facility?"

• "Walk us through a time you identified significant deficiencies in a design package. What was your process for addressing them, and what was the outcome?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about SYSTRA and its work in the Ontario transit sector?"

• "How do you foster a collaborative and high-performing team environment, especially when coordinating diverse technical expertise?"

• "Describe your approach to stakeholder management and building strong client relationships on infrastructure projects."

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio presentation around 1-2 key projects, dedicating significant time to each. Use a clear narrative: Project Goals -> Your Role & Operational Approach -> Key Challenges & Solutions (focus on process) -> Outcomes & Lessons Learned.

• Process Focus: Emphasize the how – your management processes, coordination strategies, quality assurance steps, and use of tools like BIM.

• Visual Aids: Use high-quality renderings, plan excerpts, section drawings, and BIM coordination screenshots to illustrate your points. Show examples of clash reports or resolved issues.

• Quantify Results: Whenever possible, present metrics related to schedule adherence, budget management (if applicable to design phase), or risk reduction achieved through your operational oversight.

• Concise & Engaging: Be prepared to present within a set timeframe (e.g., 30-45 minutes) and leave ample time for Q&A. Be enthusiastic and confident in your experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize your ability to manage complex design operations, demonstrate leadership in technical coordination, and ensure rigorous adherence to standards. Your portfolio presentation is your primary opportunity to showcase these capabilities with concrete examples.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Station and Stops Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the SYSTRA careers portal.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 20+ years of experience in transit/transportation facility design, specifically mentioning stations, depots, and maintenance facilities. Emphasize your leadership roles, BIM proficiency (Revit, Navisworks), and experience with Canadian building codes and alternative delivery models. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a selection of your most relevant projects, focusing on demonstrating your end-to-end design leadership, multidisciplinary coordination, and quality assurance processes. Be ready to articulate your operational approach for each project.

• Research SYSTRA: Familiarize yourself with SYSTRA's global projects, their Canadian operations, and recent transit initiatives in Ontario. Understand their commitment to innovation and client satisfaction.

• Practice Your Narrative: Rehearse your responses to potential interview questions, focusing on providing specific examples that illustrate your operational management skills, problem-solving abilities, and leadership style. Practice presenting your portfolio concisely and impactfully.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.