Junior Vehicles Engineering Specialist

STV is seeking a Junior Vehicle Engineering Specialist to join our Vehicles Practice in our Philadelphia, PA office. This is an excellent opportunity for an early-career engineer to work alongside industry-leading professionals supporting rail and transit vehicle programs across North America.

The successful candidate will support rail vehicle engineering and systems integration activities involving train control interfaces, communications systems, traction power interfaces, onboard vehicle systems, and transit modernization programs. This role offers exposure to complex transportation projects while providing mentorship, technical development, hands-on experience, and a clear path for career growth within STV's national Vehicles practice.

Position Summary

The Junior Vehicle Engineering Specialist will assist senior engineers with the planning, design review, analysis, testing, and implementation of rail and transit vehicle systems. The position involves technical coordination across multiple engineering disciplines and participation in vehicle procurement, overhaul, modernization, and systems integration projects.

The ideal candidate is intellectually curious, detail-oriented, and passionate about rail transit technology and transportation infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Support engineering and technical reviews of rail vehicle systems, including propulsion, braking, train control, communications, HVAC, doors, auxiliary power, and onboard electronics.

• Assist with vehicle procurement, rehabilitation, overhaul, and fleet modernization programs.

• Review engineering drawings, specifications, design packages, and technical submittals for compliance with project requirements.

• Perform field testing on rail vehicles and subsystems.

• Participate in systems integration activities between rolling stock and wayside systems.

• Support vehicle testing, inspection, commissioning, and acceptance activities at client and manufacturing sites.

• Perform technical analyses and engineering calculations under the guidance of senior staff.

• Document findings and prepare technical reports, presentations, and meeting summaries.

• Coordinate with multidisciplinary engineering teams including signaling, communications, traction power, track, and facilities.

• Support development of project deliverables, cost estimates, schedules, and engineering documentation.

• Attend client meetings, workshops, and field inspections as required.

• Assist with issue resolution, troubleshooting, and risk identification throughout project execution.

• Maintain awareness of transit industry standards, emerging technologies, and best practices.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Transportation Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.

• 0–3 years of relevant engineering experience.

• Basic understanding of vehicle systems, transportation systems, or systems engineering principles.

• Strong technical writing, communication, and organizational skills.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.

• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment.

• Willingness to travel periodically to project sites and client locations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Internship, co-op, research, or project experience related to rail, transit, transportation, or vehicle systems.

• Familiarity with systems engineering methodologies and requirements management.

• Experience reviewing technical drawings and engineering documentation.

• Knowledge of rail transit systems, rolling stock technologies, or transportation infrastructure.

• Exposure to AutoCAD, MicroStation, MATLAB, Python, or other engineering tools.

• EIT certification or progress toward professional licensure.

Key Competencies

• Analytical problem-solving

• Technical aptitude

• Attention to detail

• Communication and teamwork

• Professional curiosity and continuous learning

• Time management and organization

Compensation Range:

STV offers the following benefits • Health insurance, including an option with a Health Savings Account • Dental insurance • Vision insurance • Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care and Transit and Parking where applicable) • Disability insurance • Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment • 401(k) Plan • Retirement Counseling • Employee Assistance Program • Paid Time Off (starting at 16 days) • Paid Holidays (9 days) • Back-Up Dependent Care (up to 10 days per year) • Parental Leave (up to 80 hours) • Continuing Education Program • Professional Licensure and Society Memberships

STV is committed to paying all of its employees in a fair, equitable, and transparent manner. The listed pay range is STV’s good-faith salary estimate for this position. Please note that the final salary offered for this position may be outside of this published range based on many factors, including but not limited to geography, education, experience, and/or certifications.

Not sure this role is the perfect match? We encourage you to apply if STV’s work and values resonate with you. We know great candidates don’t always meet every qualification, and research shows women and people of color are less likely to apply unless they do. At STV, we believe strong talent comes from a wide range of backgrounds, and your skills and experience may align with this or another opportunity as we continue to grow.