Principal Mechanical Engineer

BART•BART Headquarters, CA

16h•Onsite

About The Position

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) is seeking a forward-thinking Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead critical infrastructure initiatives that directly impact the reliability, safety, and modernization of one of the nation’s most complex transit systems. The Principal Engineer is a supervisory level of Engineering responsible for technical and project leadership. Registration as a professional mechanical engineer is required. The scope of the Mechanical Engineering Division includes planning, design, procurement, and engineering support during construction, commissioning, operations, and maintenance of assets such as: Facilities (HVAC, plumbing, pumps). Fire protection includes wet standpipe, fire water sprinklers, under car deluge, and chemical fire suppression. Tunnel ventilation. Shop equipment includes cranes, hydraulic lifts, hydraulic presses, and lathes. Train washers. Water treatment plants. Vertical circulation equipment (escalators, hydraulic and traction elevators, wheelchair lifts). Principal Engineers in the Mechanical Division serve as technical leaders on complex projects, with combined field and office experience. They oversee contractors and consultants, and supervise, review, and approve mechanical designs, drawings, and specifications while coordinating closely across departments. They evaluate and implement design and field changes during construction, provide expert guidance to management, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to support informed decisions. Additionally, they mentor junior engineers, conduct performance evaluations, support professional development, and lead project budgeting and scheduling. They may also prepare Executive Decision Documents and present at Board meetings.

Requirements

Registration as a professional mechanical engineer is required.
A Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.
Four (4) years of (full-time equivalent) verifiable professional mechanical engineering project design and construction experience, which must have included at least one (1) year of administrative or supervisory experience.
Must be physically able to conduct field inspections and testing as assigned.
Knowledge of Operations, services and activities of a comprehensive mechanical engineering program.
Knowledge of Principles and practices of mechanical engineering design and construction.
Knowledge of Principles and practices of project scheduling and management.
Knowledge of Methods and techniques of field measuring and testing equipment.
Knowledge of Methods and techniques of conducting construction site inspection and investigation.
Knowledge of Principles and practices of contract administration and management.
Knowledge of Principles and practices of cost engineering estimating.
Knowledge of Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.
Knowledge of Current office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers.
Knowledge of Specialized computer programs or systems utilized in mechanical engineering design and construction including CADD.
Knowledge of Related building codes, regulations and provisions.
Knowledge of Related Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations.
Skill in Selecting, supervising, training and evaluating staff.
Skill in Analyzing complex engineering problems, evaluating alternatives and recommending solutions.
Skill in Interpreting and explaining District policies and procedures.
Skill in Directing and coordinating mechanical engineering projects.
Skill in Negotiating consultant design and engineering project contracts.
Skill in Managing and administering consultant engineering contracts.
Skill in Interpreting and preparing revisions to engineering plans, drawings, and specifications.
Skill in Conducting and overseeing field inspections, investigations, measurements, and testing.
Skill in Preparing clear and concise reports.
Skill in Communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Skill in Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including District officials and the general public.

Nice To Haves

A Bachelor’s degree is preferred.
Applying critical path method scheduling.
Applying of the different approaches to mechanical equipment maintenance.
Willingness to be on call 24 hours a day, 7 days at a time (in rotation with others), to work occasionally during overnight and weekend maintenance windows, and to work occasionally in noisy and dirty environments or in foul weather and near moving trains.
An understanding of electrical, mechanical, physical, and mathematical principles applicable to BART train control, traction power, ventilation, HVAC, and other miscellaneous support systems and a keen interest in keeping up to date with emerging technology, developments, and trends in these areas.
Substitution: Additional professional experience as outlined above may be substituted for the education on a year-for-year basis.

Responsibilities

Assumes responsibility for planning, budgeting, overseeing, and implementing the most complex and/or large scale mechanical engineering projects in the development and maintenance of District mechanical systems and equipment; may serve as the Resident Engineer on assigned mechanical engineering projects.
Plans, prioritizes, assigns, supervises, reviews and participates in the work of staff responsible for the design and construction of mechanical systems and equipment including air conditioning, ventilation, fire protection, plumbing, escalators, elevators, automatic fare collection, and related systems and equipment.
Establishes schedules and methods for providing mechanical engineering project services; ensures adherence to specifications; identifies resource needs; monitors the progress of large scale mechanical design projects; reviews needs with appropriate management staff; allocates resources accordingly.
Administers consultant contracts; reviews work to ensure compliance with specifications; recommends change orders; maintains records and processes expenditures.
Provides project management oversight to ensure compliance with project schedule and budget; oversees the work of outside contractors and contracted engineering staff.
Participates in the development of policies and procedures; monitors work activities to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures; makes recommendations for changes and improvements to existing standards and procedures.
Recommends and assists in the implementation of goals and objectives; implements approved policies and procedures.
Oversees, reviews, and approves the preparation of engineering designs, drawings, and specifications; coordinates work with other divisions and department; signs and stamps design drawings; monitors the activities of engineering design staff.
Coordinates work with other divisions, departments and outside agencies; administers control of required documentation for contracts; identifies technical engineering issues and ensures compliance with District and industry engineering standards.
Participates in the review of consultant proposals and designs and recommends awards; conducts or participates in the pre-bid conferences prior to construction contract awards.
Initiates and evaluates design and field engineering changes during construction; recommends approval of and submits contractor's progress payments; recommends retention levels as appropriate; participates in intermediate and final inspections.
Prepares or reviews a variety of reports and correspondence on assigned mechanical engineering projects including Inspector's Daily Reports, monthly and final completion reports, contract negotiations and modifications; and field and design engineering changes.
Participates in the selection of District or contracted engineering staff; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline procedures.
Participates in the preparation and administration of the mechanical engineering construction program budget; submits budget recommendations; monitors expenditures.
Prepares analytical and statistical reports on assigned mechanical engineering operations and activities.
Represents the District in public meetings and hearings on proposed projects.
Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of mechanical engineering.
May conduct intermediate and final inspections on assigned projects.