Senior Principal Signals & Communications Engineering Specialist - RR&T

Burns Engineering•Philadelphia, PA

About The Position

Burns Engineering is seeking a licensed Senior Systems Engineering Specialist to join its Signals, Communications & Train Control team in Pittsburgh or Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The role provides technical leadership for the development, integration, and verification of complex train control and signaling systems across the project lifecycle, with a focus on requirements management, system architecture, interface coordination, and system integration. The specialist leads technical work on assigned projects, serves as a subject matter expert for clients and external partners, and supports project planning, resource allocation, risk management, and system safety efforts. The role also mentors early- and mid-career employees and may help develop and deliver training content. Work must comply with Burns and applicable client standards, policies, procedures, and engineering codes and be completed accurately, efficiently, and within project hours and deadlines.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering.
At least 10 years of progressive, discipline-specific engineering experience in the railroad industry, including at least 6 years in systems engineering.

Nice To Haves

Professional Engineer (PE) license or similar credential.
Experience with Positive Train Control systems, including ACSES and/or I-ETMS.
Experience with modern train control systems such as ATC and/or CBTC.
Experience on large-scale train control projects, especially projects within the Northeast Corridor.
Experience testing and commissioning complex, large-scale systems.
Proficiency with systems engineering software and requirements management tools such as DevOps or DOORS.
Proficient knowledge of railroad operations and maintenance practices.
Proficient knowledge of federal regulations related to train control systems.
Experience developing and maintaining client relationships, especially in the rail industry.
Experience providing technical guidance, training, and feedback to early-career employees.

Responsibilities

Lead systems engineering activities for complex rail train control and signaling projects, including requirements development, system design, system verification, and integration.
Develop and manage system requirements throughout the project lifecycle, including traceability, change control, and stakeholder alignment.
Develop system architecture and define functional allocations for train control solutions.
Author technical papers documenting potential system functionality enhancements while balancing railroad operational objectives with safety-critical requirements.
Lead interface identification, definition, and coordination across subsystems, disciplines, and stakeholders.
Develop and maintain interface control documentation and coordinate resolution of interface issues.
Coordinate system integration activities with internal teams, contractors, suppliers, and clients.
Support development of verification and validation plans, procedures, and reports to demonstrate requirements compliance and adherence to safety-critical design principles.
Provide technical leadership on assigned projects, determine discipline work tasks and workflow, and delegate design elements while retaining complex, high-value tasks as appropriate.
Serve as a primary technical resource for clients and external partners, participating in technical workshops, design reviews, and coordination meetings.
Support Project Managers with technical input to project planning, resource allocation, and risk management.
Support system safety work by evaluating designs against fail-safe and safety-critical principles and assisting with hazard identification and resolution.
Mentor early- and mid-career employees through on-the-job training and, when requested, partner with a Learning & Development Lead to create and deliver training content.
Perform work in compliance with Burns and applicable client standards, policies, procedures, and engineering codes, and complete assignments accurately, efficiently, within allotted project hours, and by their due dates.