Light Rail Systems Maintenance Technician

Sound Transit•Tacoma, WA

2d•$22 - $66•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, and electronic systems. The role also maintains and repairs communications systems, surveillance equipment, and related infrastructure. Technicians perform preventive and corrective maintenance and troubleshooting on mechanical systems for wayside equipment and LRVs, helping ensure vehicles and right-of-way equipment remain safe and ready for service. Work covers LRVs and subsystems as well as overhead contact systems, traction power substations, signals and switches, tracks and right-of-way, Operations and Maintenance facilities, and other infrastructure. The technician may perform heavy overhauls, high-voltage work and testing, track and signal maintenance, welding and fabrication, emergency response, accident support, and contractor oversight. The position is safety-sensitive and requires DOT clearance, a qualifying physical, and drug and alcohol testing under applicable federal transit regulations. The work environment is described as hybrid, with at least three days per week in the office. Field work may involve dangerous machinery, extreme weather, physical hazards, hazardous chemicals, and extreme noise. The role requires on-call availability, including nights and weekends, as events arise unexpectedly. The position may involve carrying and lifting up to 50 pounds and a range of physical activities. Sound Transit provides required safety and equipment training.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electronics, Electrical, Mechanical Maintenance and Repair, or a closely related field, and four years of experience repairing and maintaining light or heavy equipment, troubleshooting electrical systems, and performing equipment inspections, preferably involving light rail vehicles and equipment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Valid state driver’s license, with no more than one violation in the past 12 months, excluding DUI and reckless driving.
Valid Washington State CDL Class B commercial license, or ability to obtain one within six months of hire.
HVAC or Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certification.
DOT clearance and ability to meet the required DOT physical standard for at least a one-year certification, with recertification as needed; compliance with required drug and alcohol testing.
Ability to work independently and unsupervised for extended periods.
Knowledge of light rail vehicle maintenance and repair operations, methods, equipment, tools, and materials, including diagnostic and test equipment and specialty vehicles.
Knowledge of preventive maintenance methods, electrical, mechanical, and electronic theory, fabrication materials and methods, basic shop mathematics, occupational hazards, safety practices, and recordkeeping.
Ability to read and interpret schematics, blueprints, drawings, operating and repair manuals, technical information, specifications, and service change bulletins.
Ability to diagnose and repair mechanical and electrical systems, safely operate mechanical equipment, perform fabrication and welding, inspect for safety hazards, and investigate accidents and incidents.
Knowledge of shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), flux cored arc welding (FCAW), gas metal arc welding (GMAW), and tungsten inert gas (TIG) processes.
Ability to interpret and apply applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations and maintain repair and maintenance records.
Ability to use computers and applications including word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases to prepare reports and compile information.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, respond to inquiries, prepare basic reports and business correspondence, and establish effective working relationships with staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups, and the public.
Ability to apply project management techniques and principles and work cooperatively with other departments, agency officials, and outside agencies.
Ability to wear required personal protective equipment, including fire-retardant clothing and arc-flash protection suits.
Ability to perform the physical activities of the role, including bending, climbing, crawling, grasping, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, repetitive motion, sitting, standing, 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 repairing and maintaining light rail vehicles and equipment.
Knowledge of codes and compliance requirements for light rail or streetcar track.

Responsibilities

Perform scheduled preventive maintenance on LRVs and their systems, including daily through annual maintenance tasks.
Inspect, troubleshoot, diagnose, document, and perform corrective maintenance and repairs on Skoda and Brookville LRVs and related systems.
Repair, modify, rebuild, and overhaul LRV systems and components, including traction motors, gearboxes, control groups, trucks, door mechanisms, brake actuators, air compressors, and HVAC systems.
Maintain overhead contact systems, overhead lines, underground feeders, switches, wiring, and associated components.
Inspect, maintain, repair, and upgrade traction power substations and components, including switches, transformers, rectifiers, fuses, relays, PLCs, batteries, and chargers.
Perform high-voltage hot-line work and tests; maintain low-voltage systems; splice, terminate, pull, rack, and secure high- and low-voltage cables.
Use electrical test equipment safely, including multimeters, low-resistance ohm meters, insulation testers, and high-pot testers, and safely ground electrical equipment.
Program and troubleshoot PC-, PLC-, and microprocessor-based control systems; operate power switches and breakers under direction of the Operations Control Center.
Inspect, repair, and maintain track, track boot, concrete panels, track switches, track fixation, crossovers, frogs, drainage structures, fencing, and related components.
Set up traffic-control work zones and flag trackways to provide safe rail work zones; trim vegetation that may interfere with train movement or electrical installations.
Perform welding repairs to track components to AWS 15.2 standard and conduct contractor repair oversight and inspection.
Diagnose, inspect, test, modify, maintain, and repair signal and communications equipment and associated electrical, electronic, mechanical, and hydraulic systems.
Operate switch machines by hand and through Local Control Panels under revenue and non-revenue conditions.
Fabricate tools, parts, components, and systems for LRVs, traction power substations, overhead contact systems, right-of-way, train wayside control, signals, signage, safety equipment, and fire and security alarm equipment.
Inspect equipment and systems, maintain parts inventory records through MMIS, research replacement parts with manufacturers and vendors, and provide bid information to the Contracts Department as needed.
Maintain required records for chemicals entering the maintenance facility.
Support emergency response and accident investigations involving vehicles, LRVs, cranes, forklifts, and work-related injuries; prepare reports, liaise with police and fire departments, and coordinate hazardous-material spill cleanup as needed.
Respond to unscheduled right-of-way repairs, including damaged fixtures and roadway surfaces, and perform equipment re-railing and LRV recovery.
Prioritize emergency maintenance tasks in the absence of on-site supervision and support accident and incident response.
Follow applicable safety rules, laws, agency policies, procedures, and regulations; contribute to diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability practices; model Sound Transit’s core values; and perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision plans, with employee coverage at no cost and coverage options for eligible dependents.
Long-term disability and life insurance.
Employee Assistance Program.
Retirement plans: 401a with a 12% Sound Transit match on a 10% employee contribution, and 457b employee contributions up to the IRS maximum.
25 days of paid time off accrued annually, with increases after four, eight, and twelve years of service.
12 paid holidays and up to two paid floating holidays annually.
Up to two paid volunteer days per year.
12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
Pet insurance discount.
Free ORCA card for full-time employees.
Tuition reimbursement of up to $5,000 annually for approved expenses.
Inclusive Reproductive Health Support Services.
Work-life balance, professional development opportunities, and recognition from colleagues.
Required safety and equipment training.