Project Engineer - Overhead Contact System

Jaquith Consulting Group Inc•Sacramento, CA

14h•$120,000 - $200,000•Onsite

About The Position

Jaquith Consulting Group is seeking a Project Overhead Contact System (OCS) Engineer to provide engineering leadership for 25kV AC railway electrification systems on the California High-Speed Rail Program. The role covers catenary systems, 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 engineer leads reviews of OCS designs, wiring plans, structure layouts, electrification studies, interface documentation, and construction packages. Reviews include catenary layouts, structural interfaces, grounding and bonding requirements, electrical clearances, geometry requirements, system performance criteria, and dynamic interaction criteria. The role coordinates interfaces across OCS, traction power, SCADA, trackwork, structures, signaling, communications, stations, maintenance facilities, operations, and rolling stock, and provides engineering support during installation, testing, commissioning, and energization. Reporting to the Project Manager, Overhead Contact System, the Project OCS Engineer serves as a technical liaison among designers, contractors, suppliers, and operations stakeholders. The position provides the program with verified electrification engineering deliverables and technical evidence required for energization and system acceptance. The role is based on-site in Sacramento, California, with travel of 25 to 50 percent along the alignment.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Railway Engineering, Systems Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a related discipline.
Minimum of ten years of railway electrification or OCS engineering experience.
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.
Availability for travel of 25 to 50 percent along the alignment.

Nice To Haves

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 systems, catenary systems, contact wire systems, 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.