Associate Assistant Systems Design Engineer

VTA is seeking an experienced dedicated and motivated rail systems engineer to join our Maintenance Engineering team in the Operations Division. This position demands strong analytical skills project and contract management technical expertise and the ability to thrive in a fastpaced environment.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will play a critical role in supporting maintenance of VTA light rail vehicle fleet signals track traction electrification system and other rail infrastructure. The candidate will be responsible for ensuring that projects meet deadlines remain fiscally responsible and adhere to high standards of safety and effectiveness.

Desired Skills:

Familiarity with VTAs light rail track signal traction electrification and infrastructure.

Familiarity with federal state and local regulations governing rail system design construction maintenance and operations.

Expertise in design construction testing and maintenance of rail system in an electrified environment.

Proven track record of meeting deadlines and managing contract and project budgets efficiently.

Innovative thinking and practical handson approach in resolving technical issues and finding solutions to support revenue service operations.

Associate Systems Design Engineer
Typical Tasks

Performs professional engineering activities related to planning design and construction of one or more aspects of bus and rail systems including traction power and overhead contact systems signal systems communication systems trackwork fare collection security systems and other related systems;
Provides engineering and other technical expertise in the areas of specialty in development of conceptual design of rail systems;
Administers system aspects of procurement/construction contracts.
Monitors system construction activities to ensure compliance with contract and assesses pricing issues with the contractors;
Prepares or directs the preparation of plans specifications reports cost estimates request for proposals and bid documents and reviews bids for contract awards ;
Reviews documents prepared by subordinates consultants and other parties plans specifications and;
Makes preliminary designs and estimates for determining budgetary needs for construction and maintenance activities;
Prepares a variety of reports technical papers correspondence other documents and materials required for assigned projects;
Represents VTA at technical meetings and before local citizens in public meetings and hearings; Reviews technical reports on system design submittals reviews design submittals from contractors for contract compliance and recommends changes to existing planning and design criteria;
Reviews issues raised by operations and maintenance staff evaluates associated data analyzes all aspects and recommends solutions;
Performs related duties as required.

Assistant Systems Design Engineer

• Performs drafting engineering computations and review of plans for transportation and facility systems and related projects including traction power and overhead contact systems signal systems communications systems track work fare collection security systems and other related systems;
• Directs or coordinates field operations involved in gathering and compiling data for the planning design construction and maintenance of transportation and facility systems;
• Assists in the review of design plans and contract specifications engineering cost estimates construction schedules and engineering studies prepared by others;
• Prepares plans under supervision; provides engineering calculations to support planning and design of new transportation and facility systems or improvements to existing systems;
• Inspects construction projects or assists in inspections; conducts field tests; gathers samples of materials for laboratory testing;
• Writes engineering specifications;
• Makes cost and quantity estimates;
• Collects computes and compiles engineering data;
• Conducts research and prepares detailed engineering reports and other documents;
• Prepares and reviews Requests for Proposal (RFPs) contract compliance reports and other reports and documents;
• Makes project presentations to technical staff;
• Performs related work as required.

Associate Systems Design Engineer
Employment Standards
Development of the required skills knowledge and abilities is typically obtained through training and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with major work in engineering plus four years of experience in the performance of professional engineering work in design estimating construction and contract administration with a strong emphasis in design construction and testing of rail transit and/or railroad systems.

Assistant Systems Design Engineer

Associate Systems Design Engineer
Knowledge of:
Principles of one or more of the following bus and rail system aspects: traction power transmission rectification and distribution; overhead contact system; signal system logic and controls; communications (CTS telephone public address SCADA) trackwork security systems and other related systems;
Principles and practices of scheduling and coordinating engineering work and project control;
Materials methods and principles used in the design and construction of rail systems;
Applicable local State and Federal codes and regulations governing transitrelated design and construction;
Knowledge of C.P.U.C. NEMA NEC AREMA and similar codes governing transit systems design and construction;
Engineering theory and practical application of operating transit systems;
Specifications writing and estimating for rail systems projects;
Principles and practices of contract administration and construction management construction inspection and materials testing;
Software tools common to the field of engineering;
Safety practices in the construction industry.
Ability to:
Design traction power distribution signals communication systems trackwork or security systems;
Supervise systems tests for areas of specialty;
Design check sign and stamp drawing and specification;
Assist in inspections to achieve compliance with contracts construction plans and specifications;
Prepare cost estimates for projects;
Review and prepare clear and concise correspondence reports specifications and other documents;
Effectively represent VTA at technical meetings and before local citizens in public meetings and hearing;
Communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing;
Take initiative reason logically and be creative in developing and introducing new ideas;
Define problem areas and evaluate recommend and implement alternative solutions to issues and problems;
Establish cooperative relations with staff contractors community organizations representatives of Federal State regional and city agencies and the general public.

Assistant Systems Design Engineer

• Communication signal contact and other systems related to transportation system design and engineering;
• Principles and practices of engineering design of transportation systems and projects;
• Engineering mathematics;
• Engineering economics;
• Preparation and interpretation of contracts and technical specifications;
• Common engineering and drafting software tools (e.g. AutoCAD);
• Principles and practices of engineering drafting and mapping;
• Principles and practices of scheduling and coordinating engineering work;
• Basic principles of project management construction inspection and materials testing;
• Engineering theory and practical application to rail transit and related systems.

• Apply engineering principles and practices to independently solve engineering problems;
• Perform engineering work of average complexity in the planning and design of transportation facilities and projects;
• Interpret and prepare engineering drawings and specifications;
• Read and interpret real property descriptions;
• Conduct engineering studies and evaluations; write clear and concise technical reports;
• Make difficult engineering calculations quickly neatly and accurately;
• Maintain complete and accurate records;
• Operate personal computers and use common computeraided drafting hardware and software;
• Analyze technical problems and make recommendations;
• Prepare RFPs and related documents;
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.