Project Engineer, Overhead Contact System
About The Position
AECOM is seeking a Project Engineer, Overhead Contact System (OCS), for an on-site role in Sacramento, Fresno, or Bakersfield, California. The position provides engineering leadership for 25kV AC railway electrification systems on a major transportation infrastructure project. It covers catenary, contact and messenger wire systems, cantilever assemblies, registration equipment, auto-tensioning systems, sectioning facilities, switching stations, neutral sections, overlap zones, grounding and bonding systems, traction return systems, and OCS monitoring systems. The Project Engineer reviews OCS designs, wiring plans, structure layouts, electrification studies, interface documentation, and construction packages. The role coordinates interfaces with traction power, SCADA, trackwork, structures, signaling, communications, stations, maintenance facilities, operations, and rolling stock. Reporting to the Project Manager, OCS, the position provides technical support through installation, testing, commissioning, and energization, and involves approximately 25–50% travel along the alignment.
Requirements
- BA/BS degree and 6 years of relevant experience, or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education.
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Railway Engineering, Systems Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Demonstrated experience supporting OCS systems from design through testing, commissioning, and final acceptance.
- Experience reviewing engineering deliverables on large transportation infrastructure projects.
- Strong working knowledge of railway electrification interfaces and operational requirements.
- Experience reviewing catenary layouts, structure layouts, wiring plans, and electrification studies.
- Working knowledge of grounding and bonding, traction return systems, and electrical clearance requirements.
- Experience coordinating OCS interfaces with traction power, trackwork, structures, signaling, and rolling stock.
- Experience developing and reviewing testing procedures, commissioning documentation, and energization programs.
- Experience participating in Factory Acceptance Testing, Site Acceptance Testing, and integrated testing programs.
- Strong technical writing, coordination, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Professional Engineer (PE) licensure; additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of licensure.
- High-speed rail project experience.
- Experience delivering 25kV AC OCS systems.
- Experience with high-speed catenary systems and electrification infrastructure.
- Familiarity with EN standards, FRA requirements, and AREMA guidance.
- Experience supporting dynamic testing and pantograph-catenary interaction assessment.
- Experience supporting operational readiness activities and system certification.
- Experience supporting entry into revenue service on an electrified passenger railway.
Responsibilities
- Develop and review OCS engineering deliverables, construction packages, technical specifications, interface documentation, design changes, and technical submissions.
- Lead reviews of OCS designs, wiring plans, structure layouts, electrification studies, and construction packages.
- Review catenary layouts, structural interfaces, grounding and bonding requirements, and electrical clearances.
- Review geometry requirements, system performance requirements, and dynamic interaction criteria.
- Coordinate interfaces between OCS, traction power, trackwork, structures, signaling, communications, and rolling stock.
- Coordinate OCS interfaces with traction power substations, SCADA systems, stations, maintenance facilities, and operations.
- Provide engineering support for 25kV AC OCS, catenary, contact wire, and messenger wire systems.
- Provide engineering support for cantilever assemblies, registration equipment, and auto-tensioning systems.
- Provide engineering support for sectioning facilities, switching stations, neutral sections, and overlap zones.
- Provide engineering support for grounding and bonding systems, traction return systems, and OCS monitoring systems.
- Provide engineering support during installation, testing, commissioning, and energization activities.
- Support technical issue resolution, field design clarifications, and implementation challenges.
- Review contractor technical submissions and turnover documentation.
- Develop and review testing procedures, commissioning documentation, and energization programs.
- Participate in Factory Acceptance Testing, Site Acceptance Testing, integrated testing, dynamic testing, and operational readiness activities; review test results supporting system acceptance.
Benefits
- Relocation is provided for this role.
- Sponsorship is provided for this role.
- Depending on employment status, benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability benefits; paid time off; leaves of absence; voluntary benefits; perks; flexible work options; well-being resources; employee assistance program; business travel insurance; service recognition awards; retirement savings plan; and employee stock purchase plan.
- Award-winning training and development programs.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
