Field Engineer, Overhead Contact System (OCS)

Burns Engineering•Sacramento, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Burns Engineering is seeking a Field Engineer, Overhead Contact System (OCS), to join its Transit Rail Team in Sacramento, California. The Field Engineer serves as the Owner and PDS field representative for installation, testing, energization, commissioning, and acceptance of 25kV AC railway electrification infrastructure on the California High-Speed Rail Program. The role covers contact and messenger wire systems, cantilever assemblies, registration equipment, sectioning facilities, disconnect switches, grounding and bonding systems, traction return systems, and related electrification infrastructure. The Field Engineer verifies OCS implementation against approved drawings, specifications, railway standards, and Program requirements. The role supports geometry verification, tensioning, grounding and bonding verification, technical-record review, and turnover documentation for system acceptance. The position participates in Factory Acceptance Testing, Site Acceptance Testing, continuity, grounding and high-voltage testing, integrated systems testing, dynamic testing, pantograph interaction testing, energization, and operational readiness programs. Reporting to the Project Manager, Overhead Contact System, the Field Engineer provides independent field verification of electrification installation and geometry, documents deficiencies and corrective actions, and supplies the on-site technical presence needed to support energization readiness and entry into service. Local, national, and international travel of approximately 50 percent is expected, including visits to supplier facilities and support for Factory Acceptance Testing and commissioning programs.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Railway Engineering, Systems Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a related discipline, or demonstrable on-the-job work experience.
Minimum of 10 years of railway electrification or OCS experience.
Demonstrated experience supporting OCS systems through installation, testing, commissioning, energization, and acceptance.
Strong working knowledge of 25kV AC railway electrification systems, grounding and bonding, traction return systems, and OCS interfaces.
Experience supporting field delivery activities on major transportation infrastructure projects.
Experience with OCS geometry verification, including wire height, stagger, clearance, and tensioning.
Experience reviewing technical records, test results, and turnover documentation supporting system acceptance.
Experience participating in continuity, grounding, and high-voltage testing programs.
Demonstrated ability to document deficiencies and drive corrective action closure in a field environment.
Strong communication, coordination, and stakeholder engagement skills.
Availability for local, national, and international travel of approximately 50 percent.

Nice To Haves

High-speed rail project experience.
Experience with high-speed catenary systems operating above 125 mph (200 km/h).
Experience supporting Factory Acceptance Testing, Site Acceptance Testing, dynamic testing, and integrated commissioning programs.
Experience supporting pantograph-catenary interaction testing.
Knowledge of EN standards, FRA requirements, and railway electrification standards.
Experience supporting energization readiness and outage planning activities.
Experience supporting operational readiness and entry into revenue service.
Professional Engineer (PE) licensure or equivalent professional certification.

Responsibilities

Provide field technical oversight of OCS implementation and verify alignment with approved drawings, specifications, railway standards, and Program requirements.
Support technical coordination among contractors, designers, traction power teams, track teams, structures teams, railway operators, and suppliers.
Review field conditions and support resolution of technical issues affecting installation, testing, and commissioning.
Support deployment and acceptance of contact wire systems, messenger wire systems, and cantilever assemblies.
Support deployment and acceptance of registration equipment, sectioning facilities, and disconnect switches.
Support deployment and acceptance of grounding and bonding systems, traction return systems, and associated electrification infrastructure.
Support geometry verification, including wire height validation, stagger measurements, and clearance verification.
Support tensioning activities, grounding and bonding verification, and system readiness assessments.
Review technical records and turnover documentation supporting system acceptance.
Participate in Factory Acceptance Testing and Site Acceptance Testing for OCS equipment and components.
Participate in continuity testing, grounding testing, and high-voltage testing programs.
Participate in integrated systems testing, dynamic testing, and pantograph interaction testing.
Participate in energization readiness activities and operational readiness programs.
Document deficiencies, track corrective actions, and drive their closure in support of energization and system acceptance.
Support system acceptance and entry into service activities, including supplier facility visits and factory inspections requiring local, national, and international travel of approximately 50 percent.