Light Rail Systems Maintenance Technician

Sound Transit•Tacoma, WA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Light Rail Systems Maintenance Technician independently performs skilled electrical/electronic and mechanical work under general supervision to diagnose, maintain, repair, rebuild, overhaul, service, inspect, and test light rail vehicles (LRVs), equipment, electronic systems, communications systems, surveillance equipment, and related infrastructure. The position performs preventive and corrective maintenance and troubleshooting on LRVs and wayside systems, keeping vehicles and right-of-way equipment safe and ready for service. Work may include vehicle systems, overhead contact systems, traction power substations, signals, switches, tracks, right-of-way, and Operations and Maintenance facilities. The technician performs inspections, repairs, modifications, component overhauls, testing, fault diagnosis, documentation, inventory tracking, and emergency response. The role also supports accident investigations and hazardous-material cleanup, coordinates with internal and external parties, and follows applicable safety, environmental, agency, and regulatory requirements. Employees are expected to model Sound Transit’s values, contribute to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and integrate sustainability into everyday work. This safety-sensitive position requires DOT clearance, a qualifying DOT physical and drug testing, and on-call availability for unexpected events, including nights and weekends. Work is described as hybrid, with an expectation of working in the office five days per week; field work may involve hazardous conditions and physical demands, including carrying and lifting up to 50 pounds.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electronics, Electrical, Mechanical Maintenance and Repair, or a closely related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Four years of experience repairing and maintaining light or heavy equipment, troubleshooting electrical systems, and performing equipment inspections; experience with light rail vehicles and equipment is preferred.
Valid state driver’s license with no more than one violation in the past 12 months, excluding DUI and reckless driving.
DOT clearance and the ability to meet DOT physical standards for at least a one-year certification under 49 CFR 391.4, with recertification as needed; negative drug test and compliance with required DOT drug and alcohol testing protocols.
Valid Washington State Class B CDL or ability to obtain one within six months of hire.
HVAC or EPA certification.
Ability to work independently and unsupervised for extended periods.
Knowledge of light rail vehicle maintenance and repair operations, methods, equipment, tools, and materials.
Knowledge of preventive maintenance methods, inspections, and diagnostic troubleshooting.
Knowledge of electrical, mechanical, and electronic principles and theory.
Knowledge of fabrication methods, materials, tools, and equipment, and basic shop mathematics.
Knowledge of occupational hazards and standard safety practices, recordkeeping, business correspondence, report preparation, and modern office procedures and computer applications.
Ability to use personal computer software, including word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases, and to compile and prepare spreadsheets and reports.
Ability to diagnose, troubleshoot, and repair light rail vehicles and systems, accurately identify mechanical and electrical repair needs, and safely operate mechanical equipment.
Ability to perform welding and fabrication, with knowledge of SMAW, FCAW, GMAW, and TIG welding processes.
Ability to perform safety inspections, identify hazards, and conduct accident and incident prevention and investigation.
Ability to interpret and use operating and repair manuals and apply relevant federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
Ability to maintain repair and maintenance records and communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Ability to apply project management techniques and principles and work cooperatively with departments, agency officials, outside agencies, vendors, community groups, management, staff, and the public.
Ability to interpret and administer policies and procedures sufficiently to discuss, resolve, and explain them to staff and other constituencies.
Ability to wear required personal protective equipment, including fire-retardant clothing and arc-flash protection suits.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the position, which may include bending, climbing, crawling, eye-hand coordination, grasping, hearing, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, repetitive motion, sitting, standing, talking, seeing, walking, and carrying and lifting up to 50 pounds.
Availability for on-call work, including nights and weekends, as unexpected events arise.

Nice To Haves

Experience maintaining light rail vehicles and equipment.

Responsibilities

Perform scheduled preventive maintenance on LRVs, including daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual maintenance of vehicle systems and components.
Inspect, troubleshoot, diagnose, test, maintain, repair, modify, rebuild, and overhaul Skoda and Brookville LRVs and associated mechanical, electrical, electronic, hydraulic, and communications systems.
Document maintenance, repairs, and adjustments for tracking and compliance purposes.
Maintain and repair overhead contact systems, including overhead lines, feeders, switches, wiring, and associated components.
Inspect, maintain, upgrade, and repair traction power substations and components, including switches, transformers, rectifiers, fuses, relays, PLCs, batteries, and chargers.
Perform high-voltage work and testing; splice, maintain, and terminate low- and high-voltage cables; and pull, rack, and secure cables in manholes, conduits, tunnels, and vaults.
Maintain and repair low-voltage systems, including fire and security alarms, transfer switches, and uninterruptible power supplies.
Read and interpret blueprints, schematics, drawings, maintenance manuals, service bulletins, and technical specifications for maintenance and troubleshooting.
Program and troubleshoot PC-, PLC-, and microprocessor-based control systems.
Operate power switches and breakers under Operations Control Center direction and operate switch machines under revenue and non-revenue conditions.
Inspect, repair, and maintain track, track boot, concrete panels, track switches, track fixation, crossovers, track frogs, drainage structures, fencing, and associated equipment.
Perform welding repairs on track components to the AWS 15.2 standard and conduct oversight and inspection of contractor repairs.
Diagnose, test, modify, maintain, and repair signal and communications equipment and related electrical, electronic, mechanical, and hydraulic equipment.
Operate common and specialized tools and equipment to perform inspection, maintenance, and repair work; fabricate tools, parts, components, and systems as needed.
Perform regular inspections of equipment and systems and take appropriate action when maintenance or repairs are needed.
Audit and track parts inventory through MMIS, research replacement parts and contact manufacturers and vendors, and provide bid information to the Contracts Department as needed.
Audit chemicals entering the maintenance facility and ensure required documentation and records are on file.
Respond to emergencies, prioritize emergency maintenance tasks when on-site supervision is absent, and perform unscheduled repairs to damaged fixtures and roadway surfaces on the right-of-way.
Perform re-railing and LRV recovery work and provide accident and incident response and support.
Support emergency response coordination and accident investigations involving vehicles, LRVs, cranes, forklifts, and work-related injuries; prepare reports and documents and liaise with police and fire departments as needed.
Perform or coordinate hazardous-material spill cleanup related to environmental issues.
Set up work-zone traffic control, flag trackway to establish safe rail work zones, and trim vegetation that may interfere with train movement or electrical installations.
Follow applicable safety rules, regulations, procedures, laws, agency policies, and environmental requirements.
Provide support to the division and department, participate in committees and professional meetings as assigned, prepare reports and correspondence, and maintain awareness of relevant developments.
Model Sound Transit core values, contribute to a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision plans at no cost for employee coverage, with comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents.
Long-term disability and life insurance.
Employee Assistance Program.
401a retirement plan with a 10% employee contribution and a 12% Sound Transit match.
457b retirement plan with employee contributions up to the IRS maximum.
25 days of paid time off annually, with increases at four, eight, and twelve years of service.
12 paid holidays, up to two paid floating holidays, and up to two paid volunteer days per year.
12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
Pet insurance discount.
ORCA card at no cost for full-time employees.
Tuition reimbursement of up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
Inclusive reproductive health support services.
Opportunities for professional development and recognition.
Work-life balance.