Signals Discipline Lead

AECOM•Pittsburgh, PA

4d•$160,000 - $200,000•Hybrid

About The Position

AECOM is seeking a motivated, detail-oriented Signals Discipline Lead with rail and transit signal systems experience. The role supports the design, development, and implementation of signal engineering solutions for rail and transit infrastructure, including preparation of design drawings and technical specifications and performance of field investigations. The position leads signal design and delivery across conceptual, preliminary, final design, and construction support phases for light rail, commuter rail, heavy rail, and freight rail projects. The Signals Discipline Lead provides technical leadership and oversight to engineers, designers, and CAD staff; develops signal design packages and supporting technical documents; coordinates signal interfaces with other rail and infrastructure disciplines; and supports integration, testing, commissioning, cutovers, and revenue service implementation. The role also contributes to project planning and execution, client and stakeholder coordination, practice growth, proposals, business development, and the development of engineering standards and best practices. The position requires a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field and at least eight years of relevant rail signal experience, or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education. A Professional Engineer license is required or must be obtained within two years of hire. The role is hybrid and based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Relocation assistance may be available.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field plus 8 years of relevant experience in rail signal design, testing, or construction, or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education.
Professional Engineer (PE) licensure, or ability and willingness to obtain it within two years of hire.
Experience with AREMA guidelines, FRA regulations, and signal design practices.
Experience with CAD software such as AutoCAD or MicroStation.
Experience reading and programming logic and vital logic equations.
Experience with microprocessor-based vital logic controllers such as ElectroLogIXS and Microlock II.
Experience with the working principles of DC and AC track circuits.
Experience with CAB signaling design and coded track circuits, audio frequency track circuits, and phase shift overlay circuits.

Nice To Haves

12 years of relevant experience in rail signal design, testing, or construction.
Working knowledge of legacy and modern interlocking systems.
Familiarity with signal vendors such as Siemens, Alstom, Hitachi, and Wabtec.
Knowledge of relay- or microprocessor-based interlocking systems.
Field or construction support experience, including signal cutover or testing.
Professional Engineer (PE) license.
Project Management Professional (PMP) license.
Strong problem-solving, written communication, and documentation skills.
Ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

Lead planning, design, and delivery of rail and transit signal systems through conceptual, preliminary, final design, and construction support phases for light rail, commuter rail, heavy rail, and freight rail projects.
Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and engineering oversight to mid-level and junior engineers, designers, and CAD staff, including QA/QC reviews and staff development.
Develop signal design packages, including signal layouts, interlocking plans, control line diagrams, route and aspect charts, cable routing plans, signal house layouts, equipment location plans, and construction documents.
Design and analyze wayside signal systems, interlockings, switch machine systems, train detection systems, vital and non-vital logic, and highway-rail grade crossing warning systems.
Prepare engineering calculations, technical specifications, bills of materials, cost estimates, design reports, and other technical documentation.
Coordinate signal interfaces with traction power, communications, SCADA, OCS, train control, track, civil, roadway, station, and utility systems.
Support design, integration, testing, and commissioning of conventional signaling, PTC, CBTC, ATP, and ATC systems.
Support project planning and execution, including scope development, resource forecasting, schedule management, technical risk assessment, proposal preparation, fee development, and business development.
Conduct field investigations, site inspections, diagnostic reviews, testing, commissioning, cutovers, and construction support; respond to RFIs, review submittals, and support revenue service implementation.
Interface with clients, railroads, contractors, regulatory agencies, and project stakeholders, ensuring compliance with applicable standards and safety, quality, and environmental requirements.
Lead FAT, SAT, commissioning, cutover planning, and revenue service implementation for signal, train control, and grade crossing systems.
Develop signal design criteria, standards, specifications, engineer’s cost estimates, and evaluate alternative solutions and value engineering opportunities.
Support and coordinate highway-rail grade crossings, traffic signal preemption, and transit signal priority systems with relevant agencies, owners, and stakeholders.
Assist in growing and developing the Signals practice through recruiting, staff development, succession planning, resource management, and technical capability enhancement.
Serve as the technical point of contact for signal engineering projects and support multidisciplinary coordination.
Support proposal development, technical presentations, client engagement, and strategic business development.
Develop and maintain signal engineering standards, specifications, design criteria, lessons learned, and best practices.
Provide technical leadership for major corridor modernization, expansion, and state-of-good-repair programs, with attention to quality, constructability, maintainability, and lifecycle performance.