Field Engineer, Traction Power and Medium Voltage

Burns Engineering•Sacramento, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Burns Engineering is seeking a Field Engineer, Traction Power and Medium Voltage, to join its Transit and Rail Team in Sacramento, California. The position serves as the Owner and PDS field representative for installation, testing, energization, commissioning, and acceptance of traction power and electrical infrastructure on the California High-Speed Rail Program. The work covers traction power substations, switching and paralleling stations, utility interconnection facilities, transformers, high- and medium-voltage switchgear, protective relay systems, traction power SCADA, grounding and bonding, traction return systems, auxiliary power substations, medium-voltage distribution networks, wayside power distribution, cable routes, duct banks, and equipment shelters. The Field Engineer verifies that installed electrical work conforms to approved drawings, specifications, railway standards, and Program requirements; reviews field conditions and supports resolution of technical issues; and coordinates field interfaces among electrical, rail, civil, and utility contractors. The role supports and witnesses factory and site acceptance testing, protective relay and equipment testing, SCADA verification, energization readiness, and operational readiness activities. It provides independent field verification of installation and test results, documented deficiency and corrective-action records, and on-site technical support for energization authorization and entry into service. The position reports to the Project Manager, Traction Power and Medium Voltage. It is based in Sacramento, California, and requires approximately 50 percent domestic and international travel, including travel to supplier facilities for factory inspection and acceptance activities.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Railway Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related discipline, or demonstrable on-the-job work experience.
At least 10 years of traction power, electrical infrastructure, utility, or medium-voltage experience.
Demonstrated experience supporting electrical systems through installation, testing, commissioning, energization, and acceptance.
Strong working knowledge of traction power systems, medium-voltage distribution, substations, protective relays, switchgear, and transformers.
Working knowledge of grounding and bonding, traction return systems, and railway electrical safety requirements.
Experience supporting field delivery activities on major transportation, utility, or energy infrastructure projects.
Experience witnessing Factory Acceptance Testing, Site Acceptance Testing, protective relay testing, and electrical commissioning programs.
Experience reviewing electrical test records, as-built documentation, and turnover packages supporting system acceptance.
Demonstrated ability to document deficiencies and drive corrective-action closure in a field environment.
Strong communication, coordination, and stakeholder engagement skills.
Availability for approximately 50 percent domestic and international travel.

Nice To Haves

Experience on high-speed rail projects operating above 125 mph (200 km/h).
Experience with 25kV AC traction power systems and traction power substations.
Experience supporting substation construction, wayside equipment installation, and corridor-wide power distribution.
Experience supporting utility interconnection, energization planning, and outage coordination.
Experience with electrical SCADA systems and power monitoring systems.
Familiarity with FRA requirements, NFPA 70E, IEEE, and railway electrical standards.
Experience supporting integrated testing between traction power, OCS, signaling, and control center systems.
Professional Engineer (PE) licensure or equivalent professional certification; additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of licensure.

Responsibilities

Provide field technical oversight of traction power, medium-voltage, and auxiliary power installation activities across the corridor.
Verify that installed electrical work conforms to approved drawings, specifications, railway standards, and Program requirements.
Review field conditions and support resolution of technical issues affecting installation, testing, commissioning, and energization.
Coordinate field interfaces among traction power, OCS, signaling, communications, SCADA, track, civil works, stations, and utility contractors.
Provide field oversight for traction power substations, switching and paralleling stations, and utility interconnection facilities.
Provide field oversight for power transformers, high- and medium-voltage switchgear, protective relay systems, and traction power SCADA.
Provide field oversight for auxiliary power substations, medium-voltage distribution networks, wayside power distribution, cable routes, duct banks, and equipment shelters.
Verify grounding and bonding installation, traction return continuity, and electrical clearance requirements.
Support and witness Factory Acceptance Testing and Site Acceptance Testing for electrical equipment and components.
Support and witness protective relay, transformer, switchgear, and cable testing, as well as SCADA verification.
Participate in energization readiness reviews, outage planning activities, and operational readiness programs.
Review test records, as-built documentation, and turnover packages supporting system acceptance.
Verify compliance with Program requirements, electrical safety requirements, railway standards, and applicable regulations.
Document deficiencies, track corrective actions, and drive closure in support of energization authorization and system acceptance.
Support supplier coordination and attend supplier facilities for factory inspection and acceptance activities, including domestic and international travel.