Lead Mechanical Officer - Restore a 200-Ton Steam Icon

The Texas Railway Preservation Association (TRPA) is seeking a Chief Mechanical Officer (CMO) to lead the technical restoration and mechanical stewardship of the historic SP 982 locomotive and its supporting fleet. Reporting directly to the Executive Director , you will be the \"Lead Engineer\" of our industrial mission.

While railroad-specific experience is valued, we are prioritizing candidates with a deep mastery of Heavy Industrial Power . If you have spent your career maintaining high-pressure pneumatic systems, marine diesel engines, or large-scale power plant turbines, you have the mechanical DNA we need. This is a pro-bono executive role for a master technician who wants to apply their expertise to the ultimate mechanical challenge: returning a 200-ton steam icon to live functionality.

Key Responsibilities

• Mechanical Command: Oversee the total mechanical lifecycle of the SP 982, including steam boiler integrity, running gear maintenance, and pneumatic braking systems.


• Technical Restoration Strategy: Design and execute the \"Mechanical Master Plan,\" transitioning our equipment from static displays to high-performance operational assets.


• Multi-Disciplinary Oversight: Lead a team of specialists across diesel-electric systems, hydraulic power, and heavy steel fabrication.


• Safety & Regulatory Engineering: Ensure all mechanical work meets rigorous industrial safety standards and federal compliance, treating our rolling stock with the same precision as a modern power plant.


• The \"Foundry\" Mentorship: Act as the technical mentor for our volunteer corps, translating complex engineering tasks into actionable, safe restoration sorties.


• Resource Procurement: In collaboration with the Executive Director, identify and source specialized industrial components, tools, and technical partners.

Professional Requirements

• Industrial Pedigree: Proven experience in heavy mechanical engineering, power plant maintenance, maritime engineering (diesel/steam), or heavy equipment repair.


• Technical Versatility: Mastery of high-pressure systems, large-bore engines, or complex pneumatic/hydraulic circuitry.


• Operational Authority: You are a \"hands-on\" leader who is as comfortable with a blueprint as you are with a torque wrench.


• Project Management Discipline: Ability to manage long-term mechanical projects with absolute precision in scheduling and budget tracking.


• Mission Alignment: A profound respect for industrial history and the \"Machine Age\" engineering that built Texas.

The TRPA Advantage

This is the ultimate \"Legacy Project\" for a mechanical mind. You won't just be maintaining a machine; you will be bringing a titan back to life. As CMO, you have the authority to shape the mechanical future of the TRPA, ensuring the SP 982 remains a testament to Texas's industrial power for the next century.

Join the TRPA. Command the Power.