Senior Systems Engineer - Train Control

Salary range is $87k to $191k, with a midpoint of $139k.  New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retirement Plans: 401a – 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b – up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• Pet Insurance.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Inclusive Reproductive Health Support Services.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you’ll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

GENERAL PURPOSE: 

This is a technical leadership role as a Senior Systems Engineer – Train Control. The purpose of this position is to provide rail transit signal system evaluation, analyses, and oversight of all Engineering design, integration, and construction work including: grade-crossing warning systems; microprocessor and relay based interlockings, wayside signal equipment, positive train control and block signal systems for Sound Transit projects. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Develops and maintains agency design criteria and standards for systems and assets in assigned engineering discipline.
• Reviews, provides input to and accepts formal contract deliverables and submittals to provide assurance of project compliance with established agency technical criteria, policies and procedures for design development, systems interface coordination and integration, construction and testing and commissioning.
• Develops and accepts changes and deviations from established agency standards and criteria.
• Works to ensure that code and regulation requirements and operational best practices are incorporated into design projects.
• Develops designs for follow on and service delivery projects from beginning to end including coordination of schedule, scope, and budget of assigned projects.
• May be required to review, approve (sign and seal) engineering drawings and specifications within assigned engineering discipline.
• Provides leadership and coordination of small technical teams with respect to specific tasks, provides technical oversight and coaching of less senior engineers.
• Provides engineering economic analysis in determining total cost of ownership. 
• Provides support to the department/division and others on matters as directed; serves as staff on a variety of committees as assigned; prepares and presents reports and presentations; attends and participates in professional group meetings.
• Supports Agency Sustainability efforts to develop efficient designs and evaluate new technologies intended to improve efficiencies and reduce impact.
• Collaborates with staff across the agency, particularly to ensure continuous improvement and best practice is applied to engineering criteria, policies and procedures.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit’s Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.  
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Engineering or closely related field. Five years of systems engineering experience in design, construction or operations and maintenance of rail transit signal systems. Experience in a transit/transportation related environment required; Or equivalent combination of education and experience. 

Required Licenses or Certifications:

• Valid state driver's license. This position is responsible for visiting remote sites that are not accessible by train or public transit.

Preferred Licenses or Certifications:

• Professional Engineer License.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Engineering principles, methods and techniques applied during design, construction, testing and commissioning, operations and maintenance of transportation infrastructure projects.
• Code and related regulations applicable to train control, signals and grade crossings (for example FRA, AAR, AREMA, IEEE, ITE, NEC and MUTCD).
• Recent developments, current literature, and sources of information related to emerging trends and innovation in area of practice.
• Troubleshooting, diagnostics and root cause analysis - ability to systematically investigate equipment failures in complex systems, determine the root cause, and recommend corrective action.
• Time management - ability to control a large workload, prioritize effort, and manage commitments.
• Collaboration - excellent ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other agency staff, consultants, contractors, authorities having jurisdiction, and other stakeholder groups. Is able to consistently reach consensus with diverse groups of stakeholders.
• Communication - excellent skill in the ability to communicate clear and accurate technical information to technical and non-technical audiences in verbal and written form.
• Meeting management - advanced skill in planning, conducting and recording effective meetings.
• Systems thinking - advanced skill in understanding the whole problem, seeking different perspectives, understanding interdependencies, and decomposing complex problems into solvable elements. 
• Task leadership - ability to develop scopes of work and estimates for engineering activities and coordinate small teams of staff, consultants and contractors to complete technical assignments.
• Negotiation - ability to negotiate technical and commercial issues with internal and external stakeholders.
• Conflict resolution - ability to respectfully reconcile different points of view held by diverse stakeholders on matters pertaining to area of practice.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:  

• Work is performed in a hybrid office, field, and shop environment.
• This position is responsible for field visits, inspections, measurements, and equipment checks; May be subject to bending, climbing, eye/hand coordination, grasping, hearing, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, repetitive motion, standing, talking, seeing, walking, and lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds.
• Positions working in field may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, physical harm, hazardous chemicals, and/or extreme noise.
• Role requires occasional nightshift / weekend work typical of major infrastructure projects and operating transit systems. 
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.