Power Engineer, Power Systems (O&M)

RTD • Fond du Lac, WI

6d • $92,003 - $129,955 • Onsite

About The Position

This position ensures the reliability, safety, and regulatory compliance of electric bus charging systems, traction power substations, and overhead catenary systems (OCS) supporting rail. Serving as a technical Subject Matter Expert (SME), this role provides engineering leadership in system evaluation, design, maintenance, procurement, and lifecycle management while collaborating with Maintenance, Engineering, and Operations teams to improve system performance and reduce service disruptions. This position reviews technical specifications, supports project implementation, oversees engineering modifications, assists with testing and commissioning, and ensures compliance with FTA, CDOT, and applicable safety and electrical standards. This role also supports data-driven maintenance strategies, performance metrics, workforce training, and continuous improvement initiatives to deliver a safe, efficient, and sustainable transit power infrastructure. This role requires strong leadership, collaboration, and decision-making skills to guide teams, sustain passenger rail vehicle maintenance efficiency, and uphold the principles of RTD.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a related discipline.
• Certified professional engineering license required.
• Five (5) years of progressive experience in traction power, catenary, or electrical infrastructure maintenance. This can include developing and aligning maintenance processes for consistency and efficiency, leading initiatives to enhance power system reliability and availability, overseeing traction power and electrical infrastructure maintenance strategies, and working directly with regulatory agencies.
• Three (3) years of technical leadership experience in a power systems maintenance environment, including experience with overseeing and integrating maintenance processes across multiple modes and service areas (e.g., traction power, electric bus charging infrastructure, substations, and distribution systems), delivering strategic initiatives, managing cross-functional teams, and coordinating complex power system maintenance activities.
• Experience with budget development, performance measurement, labor relations, and contract management.
• Demonstrated experience working with Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), or other applicable regulatory agencies in a maintenance capacity.
• 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.
• This job requires regular and predictable attendance.

Nice To Haves

• Experience creating and implementing key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure maintenance effectiveness.
• Experience in creating and implementing maintenance procedures, policies, and compliance manuals.
• Ability to create, maintain and operate electric bus charging systems and traction power infrastructure.
• Experience coordinating with internal teams, contractors, and regulatory agencies for system maintenance and upgrades.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and oversee maintenance activities for traction power substations, overhead catenary systems (OCS), and electric bus charging infrastructure to ensure system reliability, safety, and regulatory compliance.
• Create, implement, and maintain policies, procedures, maintenance standards, work instructions, and compliance manuals aligned with federal, state, local, and industry requirements.
• Serve as a technical Subject Matter Expert (SME) for power distribution systems, providing engineering guidance on evaluation, design, maintenance, repair, and system modernization initiatives.
• Support power system capital and maintenance projects by conducting system assessments, design reviews, feasibility studies, and engineering evaluations; initiate and evaluate design and field engineering changes during construction.
• Participate in the design, development, and approval of electric bus charging, traction power, and catenary projects, including approving final plans, specifications, cost estimates, and engineering change orders.
• Perform field inspections, measurements, and calculations to verify quantities, quality, and compliance at substantial and final completion stages; inspect equipment and facilities and recommend engineering solutions.
• Collaborate across departments, contractors, consultants, and external agencies to resolve technical issues, ensure compatible designs, and optimize system performance.
• Assist with procurement activities for power system equipment and services, including specification development, bid documents, prototyping, design review, inspections, testing, commissioning, acceptance, warranty support, and quality assurance/control.
• Administer and manage contracts related to electric bus charging systems and traction power maintenance, including scope development, compliance monitoring, invoice review, documentation tracking, and performance oversight.
• Create and support a data-driven, reliability-centered maintenance program; analyze fault data and system downtime, conduct root cause analysis, and prepare technical and reliability reports.
• Establish, monitor, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) related to system reliability, power distribution uptime, substation performance, and preventive maintenance compliance.
• Prepare and present technical reports, engineering documents, manuals, specifications, drawings, and recommendations to leadership, stakeholders, and governing bodies.
• Assist in developing and administering annual operating and capital budgets, including forecasting staffing, materials, equipment, and resource needs.
• Coordinate with technical training teams to support workforce development, training, and knowledge transfer related to advanced power system technologies.
• Lead or participate in committees, working groups, outreach efforts, and strategic initiatives to enhance power system reliability, maintenance efficiency, and long-term sustainability.
• Stay current on industry best practices, emerging technologies, regulatory changes, and advancements in predictive, preventive, and reliability-centered maintenance.
• Perform duties across bus, rail, operations centers, service delivery, or special services functions as required by operational needs or professional development.
• 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