Power Engineer, Power Systems (O&M)

Please complete the application in its entirety. Include all previous employment so that it may be taken into consideration. Please include a resume attachment with submittal of your application. Resume should document months and years with your dates of employment. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received before the closing date and time listed.

At Regional Transportation District (RTD), We make lives better through connections!

When you join RTD, you will be among dedicated employees exhibiting RTD's values of passion, respect, diversity, trustworthiness, collaboration, and ownership. RTD is committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace. As part of our diversity value statement, we encourage our employees to honor diversity in thought, people, and experience. Come join RTD on this great journey to be the trusted leader in mobility, delivering excellence and value to our customers and community.

RTD Employee Benefits: https://www.rtd-denver.com/careers/benefits

(RTD Represented Employee Benefits: Please refer to the Labor Agreement included in the above link for details.)

This position ensures the reliability, safety, and regulatory compliance of electric bus charging systems, traction power substations, and overhead catenary systems (OCS) supporting rail. Serving as a technical Subject Matter Expert (SME), this role provides engineering leadership in system evaluation, design, maintenance, procurement, and lifecycle management while collaborating with Maintenance, Engineering, and Operations teams to improve system performance and reduce service disruptions. This position reviews technical specifications, supports project implementation, oversees engineering modifications, assists with testing and commissioning, and ensures compliance with FTA, CDOT, and applicable safety and electrical standards. This role also supports data-driven maintenance strategies, performance metrics, workforce training, and continuous improvement initiatives to deliver a safe, efficient, and sustainable transit power infrastructure.
This role requires strong leadership, collaboration, and decision-making skills to guide teams, sustain passenger rail vehicle maintenance efficiency, and uphold the principles of RTD.

ESSENTIAL:

Technical Ability and Coordination

• Plan, coordinate, and oversee maintenance activities for traction power substations, overhead catenary systems (OCS), and electric bus charging infrastructure to ensure system reliability, safety, and regulatory compliance.

• Create, implement, and maintain policies, procedures, maintenance standards, work instructions, and compliance manuals aligned with federal, state, local, and industry requirements.

• Serve as a technical Subject Matter Expert (SME) for power distribution systems, providing engineering guidance on evaluation, design, maintenance, repair, and system modernization initiatives.

• Support power system capital and maintenance projects by conducting system assessments, design reviews, feasibility studies, and engineering evaluations; initiate and evaluate design and field engineering changes during construction.

• Participate in the design, development, and approval of electric bus charging, traction power, and catenary projects, including approving final plans, specifications, cost estimates, and engineering change orders.

• Perform field inspections, measurements, and calculations to verify quantities, quality, and compliance at substantial and final completion stages; inspect equipment and facilities and recommend engineering solutions.

• Collaborate across departments, contractors, consultants, and external agencies to resolve technical issues, ensure compatible designs, and optimize system performance.

Budget and Reporting

• Assist with procurement activities for power system equipment and services, including specification development, bid documents, prototyping, design review, inspections, testing, commissioning, acceptance, warranty support, and quality assurance/control.

• Administer and manage contracts related to electric bus charging systems and traction power maintenance, including scope development, compliance monitoring, invoice review, documentation tracking, and performance oversight.

• Create and support a data-driven, reliability-centered maintenance program; analyze fault data and system downtime, conduct root cause analysis, and prepare technical and reliability reports.

• Establish, monitor, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) related to system reliability, power distribution uptime, substation performance, and preventive maintenance compliance.

• Prepare and present technical reports, engineering documents, manuals, specifications, drawings, and recommendations to leadership, stakeholders, and governing bodies.

• Assist in developing and administering annual operating and capital budgets, including forecasting staffing, materials, equipment, and resource needs.

Leadership and Collaboration

• Coordinate with technical training teams to support workforce development, training, and knowledge transfer related to advanced power system technologies.

• Lead or participate in committees, working groups, outreach efforts, and strategic initiatives to enhance power system reliability, maintenance efficiency, and long-term sustainability.

• Stay current on industry best practices, emerging technologies, regulatory changes, and advancements in predictive, preventive, and reliability-centered maintenance.

• Perform duties across bus, rail, operations centers, service delivery, or special services functions as required by operational needs or professional development.

OTHER:

All job-related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

REQUIRED

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a related discipline.

• Certified professional engineering license required.

• Five (5) years of progressive experience in traction power, catenary, or electrical infrastructure maintenance. This can include developing and aligning maintenance processes for consistency and efficiency, leading initiatives to enhance power system reliability and availability, overseeing traction power and electrical infrastructure maintenance strategies, and working directly with regulatory agencies.

• Three (3) years of technical leadership experience in a power systems maintenance environment, including experience with overseeing and integrating maintenance processes across multiple modes and service areas (e.g., traction power, electric bus charging infrastructure, substations, and distribution systems), delivering strategic initiatives, managing cross-functional teams, and coordinating complex power system maintenance activities.

• Experience with budget development, performance measurement, labor relations, and contract management.

• Demonstrated experience working with Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), or other applicable regulatory agencies in a maintenance capacity.

• Must have a valid Colorado driver license or the ability to obtain it within 30 days of hire, and the ability to travel between facilities.

• This job requires regular and predictable attendance.

PREFERRED

• Experience creating and implementing key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure maintenance effectiveness.

• Experience in creating and implementing maintenance procedures, policies, and compliance manuals.

• Ability to create, maintain and operate electric bus charging systems and traction power infrastructure.

• Experience coordinating with internal teams, contractors, and regulatory agencies for system maintenance and upgrades.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of electrical engineering principles, including power distribution, traction power, and catenary systems.

• Knowledge of industry best practices and standards for power system maintenance and reliability.

• Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations related to power systems, including FRA, FTA, OSHA, and NEC compliance.

• Knowledge of budget planning, cost estimation, and financial management for capital and maintenance projects.

• Knowledge of contract management, procurement processes, and bid document preparation.

• Knowledge of project management methodologies, risk assessment, and strategic planning.

• Knowledge of electrical safety protocols, including grounding, arc flash, and high-voltage procedures.

• Ability to analyze and troubleshoot power distribution and traction power system failures.

• Conduct feasibility studies, technical evaluations, and cost-benefit analyses.

• Ability to prepare engineering specifications, technical reports, and project proposals.

• Ability to create and review power system layouts, schematics, and electrical drawings.

• Ability to evaluating energy efficiency and recommend improvements in power distribution systems.

• Ability to facilitate cross-functional collaboration for the successful execution of maintenance initiatives.

• Ability to plan, coordinate, and execute maintenance strategies for traction power and electric bus charging systems.

• Ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities and address emerging maintenance challenges.

• Ability to interpret complex electrical schematics, diagrams, and technical documents

• Ability to work under pressure to resolve critical power system failures and minimize service disruptions.

• Ability to foster partnerships with industry experts, regulatory bodies, and transit agencies.

• Ability to evaluate and recommend system improvements to enhance power system efficiency and reliability.

• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, including teams and SharePoint.

• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.

• Ability to use sound judgment.

• Ability to manage time and workload effectively, including planning, organizing, and prioritizing with attention to detail.

OTHER:

An equivalent combination of education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those required by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodations.

• Worker is subject to varying inside and/or outside temperatures, which may include extreme heat (temperatures above 100 degrees) or extreme cold (temperatures below 32 degrees).

• Work is performed both inside and outside. Subject to weather.

• Frequent local travel.

CAREER MAP:

Based on job performance, experience, education and position availability the next step on the career map for this position may be: Manager, Engineering O&M 

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We are considering all applications for this position up until the position close date of 7/2/2026 at 11:59PM. For consideration, please be sure to apply before the posting end date.

Pay Range:

$92,003.00 - $129,954.50 Annual

EEO POLICY AND ADA ACCOMMODATIONS 

RTD is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless to the race, sex, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. RTD is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, promotions, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation, please reach out to our Employment ADA Coordinator Kris Frazier at [email protected], or the Talent Acquisition team [email protected].

To learn more or see our EEO policy, please visit our EEO page at: https://www.rtd-denver.com/open-records/reports-and-policies/eeo-policy

RTD posts a compensation range that represents a good faith estimate of what RTD anticipates paying for the position at the time of posting.  Starting salary is based on the candidate’s relevant and verified education, training and work experience.  Applicants should submit all relevant and verifiable education, training and work experiences at the time of application.