Mechanical Engineer, Rolling Stock

RTD • Fond du Lac, WI

5d • $92,003 - $129,955 • Onsite

About The Position

The Mechanical Engineer is responsible for ensuring the safety, reliability, regulatory compliance, and lifecycle performance of all rolling stock, including buses, rail vehicles, and paratransit equipment, serving as a technical Subject Matter Expert (SME) providing professional engineering support in the evaluation, design, maintenance, modification, and repair of passenger vehicles in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements. This role leads and supports rolling stock engineering activities related to system design, procurement, and asset management, including reviewing technical specifications, assessing system feasibility, approving engineering plans, overseeing modifications, conducting inspections, coordinating with internal stakeholders, consultants, and vendors, and ensuring compliance with FTA, CDOT, internal engineering standards, and transit safety regulations. The position also supports data-driven maintenance strategies by establishing performance metrics, assisting with testing and commissioning of new vehicles, recommending engineering solutions to improve service reliability, and collaborating across departments to reduce service disruptions and advance a safe, reliable, and sustainable transit system. This role requires strong leadership, collaboration, and decision-making skills to guide teams, sustain passenger vehicle maintenance efficiency, and uphold the principles of RTD.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Five (5) years of progressive experience in rolling stock maintenance. This includes developing and aligning maintenance processes for consistency and efficiency, leading initiatives to enhance vehicle reliability and availability, overseeing rolling stock maintenance strategies, and working directly with regulatory agencies.
• Three (3) years of technical leadership experience in a rolling stock maintenance environment, including experience with overseeing and integrating maintenance processes across multiple modes and service areas (e.g., bus, rail, and paratransit vehicles), delivering strategic initiatives, managing cross-functional teams, and coordinating complex rolling stock maintenance activities.
• Certified professional engineering license required.
• Experience with budget development, performance measurement, labor relations, and contract management.
• Demonstrated experience working with Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), American Public Transportation Association (APTA), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), and other applicable regulatory agencies in a maintenance capacity related to rolling stock.
• 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.
• Knowledge of mechanical and electrical engineering principles applicable to rolling stock systems, equipment, and operations for bus, rail, and paratransit vehicles.
• Knowledge of rolling stock maintenance practices, reliability engineering, preventive and predictive maintenance methodologies, and industry standards.
• Knowledge of applicable regulatory requirements and standards, including FTA, NFPA, and APTA.
• Proficiency in diagnosing and resolving complex mechanical and electrical system issues affecting rolling stock.
• Proficiency in developing and implementing reliability-centered maintenance (RCM) strategies, engineering standards, procedures, and compliance manuals.
• Proficiency in conducting feasibility studies, engineering evaluations, cost-benefit analyses, and system performance assessments.
• Proficiency in preparing engineering specifications, technical reports, procurement documents, and project proposals.
• Proficiency in managing contracts, monitoring vendor performance, and ensuring quality, safety, and regulatory compliance.
• Proficiency in performing field inspections, measurements, quality reviews, and safety assessments.
• Proficiency in using data analytics to improve maintenance programs and optimize workflows.
• Proficiency in communicating technical information clearly and effectively to leadership, stakeholders, and field personnel.
• Ability to plan, coordinate, and execute rolling stock maintenance and reliability strategies.
• Ability to evaluate and approve engineering decisions related to system modifications, maintenance programs, and capital upgrades.
• Ability to lead root cause investigations and implement corrective actions to improve vehicle reliability and reduce downtime.
• Ability to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations governing transit vehicle systems.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and respond effectively to emerging operational challenges.
• Ability to develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure maintenance effectiveness and system performance.
• Ability to train, mentor, and support technical staff in engineering and maintenance best practices.
• Ability to foster cross-functional collaboration and build productive relationships with internal teams, vendors, and regulatory agencies.
• Ability to make sound, data-driven decisions using professional judgment and technical expertise.
• Ability to manage time and workload effectively, including planning, organizing, prioritizing tasks, and maintaining accurate documentation.
• Ability to drive continuous improvement, innovation, and long-term sustainability in rolling stock maintenance programs.
• 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

• Plan, coordinate, and support maintenance activities for all rolling stock, including buses, rail vehicles, and paratransit vehicles, to ensure safety, reliability, performance, and regulatory compliance.
• Develop, implement, and maintain engineering standards, policies, procedures, work instructions, and compliance manuals related to rolling stock maintenance and operations.
• Provide technical engineering expertise on mechanical and electrical rolling stock systems, including conducting design reviews, system evaluations, inspections, and root cause analyses of failures to improve vehicle reliability.
• Support rolling stock capital and infrastructure projects, including feasibility studies, engineering evaluations, system modifications, testing, commissioning, and post-delivery acceptance.
• Evaluate the functional feasibility, mechanical and electrical design, and system reliability of new and existing rolling stock systems, components, and equipment.
• Coordinate with internal departments, consultants, contractors, and vendors to ensure compatible designs, resolve technical issues, and optimize vehicle performance.
• Approve engineering plans, specifications, cost estimates, engineering change orders, and design modifications related to rolling stock systems and upgrades.
• Assist with procurement activities for rolling stock equipment, including specification development, design review, first article inspections, quality assurance and quality control, safety certification, reliability testing, and warranty support.
• Administer and manage contracts related to rolling stock maintenance and capital projects, including monitoring compliance, reviewing invoices, maintaining records, and overseeing deliverables and service quality.
• Develop and implement data-driven reliability-centered maintenance programs, including performance metrics, fault analysis, downtime reporting, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Analyze maintenance and reliability data, prepare technical and engineering reports, and present findings, risks, and recommendations to leadership and stakeholders.
• Support budgeting and resource planning for rolling stock maintenance programs, including forecasting expenditures and evaluating cost-effectiveness.
• Coordinate with technical training teams to support workforce development in the diagnosis, repair, and maintenance of advanced rolling stock systems.
• Monitor and evaluate service delivery methods, staffing models, and maintenance strategies to improve operational efficiency and long-term asset sustainability.
• Participate in cross-functional committees, working groups, and strategic initiatives related to rolling stock maintenance and transit system performance.
• Stay current on industry best practices, regulatory requirements, and emerging technologies related to mechanical and electrical rolling stock systems.
• Perform field inspections, measurements, and quality reviews to verify compliance with engineering standards, project requirements, and safety regulations.
• Perform related duties across operational environments, including bus, rail, regional operations centers, and service delivery functions, as required by business needs.
• 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: Senior