Civil Engineer, Engineer Track (O&M)

RTD • Rock Hill, SC

2d • $92,003 - $129,955 • Onsite

About The Position

This position is responsible for ensuring the safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance of rail track systems, including track, switches, and crossings, in support of safe and uninterrupted rail operations. Serving as a technical Subject Matter Expert (SME), this role provides engineering leadership in the evaluation, design, maintenance, and rehabilitation of track infrastructure while collaborating with Maintenance and Management teams to implement data-driven maintenance programs and industry best practices. Responsibilities include overseeing inspections, managing rehabilitation projects, preparing engineering designs and cost estimates, supporting contract administration, ensuring compliance with applicable safety and engineering standards, and assisting with testing and commissioning of track systems. Through cross-departmental collaboration and innovative engineering solutions, the Engineer Maintenance (Track) enhances system performance, minimizes service disruptions, and supports a safe, reliable, and sustainable transit network. This role requires strong leadership, collaboration, and decision-making skills to guide teams, sustain rail infrastructure, and uphold the principles of RTD.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Five (5) years of progressive experience in track maintenance, construction, or civil infrastructure maintenance. This includes developing and aligning maintenance processes for consistency and efficiency, leading initiatives to enhance track system reliability and availability, overseeing track maintenance strategies, and working directly with regulatory agencies.
• Three (3) years of technical leadership experience in a track maintenance environment, including experience with overseeing and integrating maintenance processes across multiple modes and service areas (e.g., track construction, rehabilitation, inspection, and maintenance), delivering strategic initiatives, managing cross-functional teams, and coordinating complex track maintenance activities.
• Certified professional engineering license required.
• Experience with budget development, performance measurement, labor relations, and contract management.
• Demonstrated experience working with Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) standards, 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.

Nice To Haves

• Track infrastructure, including track components, switches, crossings, and associated systems.
• Track maintenance standards (e.g., Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA).
• Construction practices, rehabilitation techniques, and inspections related to track and civil infrastructure.
• Asset management systems for maintaining track and trackway infrastructure, including performance metrics and documentation.
• Familiarity with budget development, forecasting, and managing resources (staff, materials, equipment) for track maintenance and rehabilitation projects.
• Demonstrated understanding of reliability-centered maintenance programs for track infrastructure and systems.
• Ability to conduct field testing, inspections, and assessments for track systems (e.g., ultrasonic testing, geometry testing).
• Awareness of emerging technologies in predictive and preventive maintenance and track system modernization.
• Proficient in preparing detailed technical reports, presentations, and analyses for internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving skills for evaluating track failures, conducting root cause analysis, and providing engineering solutions for repairs or modifications.
• Proficiency in analyzing data for performance measurement, system reliability, and maintenance effectiveness.
• Ability to produce reports on track maintenance status and improvement plans.
• Ability to adapt rapidly to changing situations and resolve issues effectively, particularly in dynamic field environments.
• Ability to make informed decisions regarding track maintenance priorities, projects, and improvements.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, for conveying complex technical information to leadership and stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to lead outreach efforts and collaborate with stakeholders, local agencies, and interdepartmental teams to improve track maintenance processes and service delivery
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.
• 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.
• An equivalent combination of education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities.

Responsibilities

• Create and implement policies, procedures, and work instructions to ensure system reliability, efficiency, and compliance with performance targets.
• Support track maintenance and infrastructure projects.
• Assist in track assessments, design reviews, and the implementation of modifications to improve safety and reliability.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to resolve technical issues and optimize track performance.
• Create maintenance standards, ensure compliance with regulations and industry best practices, and support root cause analysis of failures to enhance track reliability.
• Assist in planning and managing budgets for track maintenance and capital projects.
• Support expenditure forecasting and cost analysis to ensure effective resource allocation.
• Prepare and present technical reports, project updates, and recommendations on track maintenance programs.
• Communicate track system status, risks, and proposed solutions to leadership and stakeholders.
• Contribute to feasibility studies and technical evaluations for track upgrades and capital projects.
• Evaluate the functional feasibility, civil design, and system reliability of various track systems, equipment, and hardware associated with future and existing transit systems as they relate to track maintenance, including track, switches, crossings, and related infrastructure.
• Initiate and evaluate design and field engineering changes during construction related to track systems and infrastructure.
• Participate in the design and development of track systems and maintenance programs.
• Review approved engineering criteria for new or proposed track projects.
• Inspect equipment or facilities; analyze and provide recommendations for engineering solutions, repairs, modifications, or maintenance.
• Create and maintain maximum civil train speeds for track; develop and maintain track maintenance-related forecasts and schedules.
• Create and maintain track standards and criteria and technical specifications related to track.
• Approve final project plans, specifications, and cost estimates related to track maintenance and/or infrastructure upgrades.
• Assist in the procurement of new track components and equipment; review and provide comments for future projects related to trackway construction and rehabilitation.
• Create, implement, and execute an annual track maintenance program plan to ensure track components, including switches and crossings, are maintained in a state of good repair.
• Oversee the inspection, repair, and maintenance of track, including ultrasonic testing, geometry testing, tamping, and modification of special track work.
• Maintain track and trackway infrastructure asset and maintenance records related to track and trackway infrastructure.
• Oversee the documentation of inspection findings, test results, labor, and materials usage in the enterprise asset management system.
• Perform technical tasks in support of all track equipment, systems, and parts procurements, including specification development, prototyping, design review, systems integration, quality assurance and quality control, safety certification, testing, and warranty support for track systems.
• Assist with administration of contracts relating to procurement, installation, testing, and activation of various track systems, hardware, and related equipment.
• Create a data-driven reliability-centered maintenance program, plans, procedures, work instructions, and material support program for all track systems and subsystems.
• Participate and assist in the development and administration of the department’s annual budget, including forecasting funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies related to track maintenance.
• Prepare engineering reports, manuals, plans, procedures, work instructions, and other correspondence related to track maintenance activities.
• Inspect track systems and facilities; analyze and make recommendations on engineering solutions for repair, modification, or maintenance of track infrastructure.
• Manage contracts related to track repair and maintenance, including monitoring contract compliance and reviewing invoices for accuracy.
• Maintain accurate records, prepare correspondence and periodic reports.
• Manage contract documentation including logging, tracking, review, and approval of administrative documents, submittits, products, and contract deliverables.
• Creates contract specifications, scope of work documents, deliverables, and schedules.
• Prepare bid documents for track repair and maintenance services.
• Oversee and inspect the quality of all related service contracts and work performed.
• Develop and prepare related reports, data, budgets, and work programs.
• Creates and implement compliance manuals to ensure Contractors are compliant with all relevant contracts, plans, procedures, and work instructions as well as any applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations specific to track repair and maintenance.
• Create plans and programs to ensure future workforce needs are met from front-line positions to management roles.
• Create, implement, and monitor key performance indicators to measure track maintenance performance, including system reliability, and adherence to preventive maintenance schedules.
• Provide oversight for special projects and strategic business initiatives specific to track maintenance, including assessing the risk of business decisions and successful execution.
• The position may be required to work in bus, rail, regional operations center, service delivery, or special services functions within operations depending on business needs and/or career growth and development.
• All job-related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 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.)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level