Signals Discipline Lead

AECOM•Philadelphia, PA

13h•$160,000 - $200,000•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Signals Discipline Lead with experience in rail and transit signal systems. The successful candidate will support the design, development, and implementation of signal engineering solutions for rail and transit infrastructure projects. The role includes preparing design drawings, technical specifications, and performing field investigations under the guidance of senior engineering staff or project managers.

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 within two years of hire.
Experience with AREMA guidelines, FRA regulations, and signal design practices.
Experience with CAD software (e.g., AutoCAD, MicroStation)
Experience with reading and programming logic and vital logic equations.
Experience working 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 (e.g., Siemens, Alstom, Hitachi, 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 the 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 performing QA/QC reviews and supporting 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 associated 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 in accordance with industry standards and client requirements.
Prepare engineering calculations, technical specifications, bills of materials, cost estimates, design reports, and other technical documentation required to support project delivery.
Coordinate signal system interfaces with traction power, communications, SCADA, OCS, train control, track, civil, roadway, station, and utility systems to ensure successful multidisciplinary integration.
Support the design, integration, testing, and commissioning of conventional signaling, Positive Train Control (PTC), Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC), Automatic Train Protection (ATP), and Automatic Train Control (ATC) systems.
Support project planning and execution activities, including scope development, resource forecasting, schedule management, technical risk assessment, proposal preparation, fee development, and business development efforts.
Conduct field investigations, site inspections, diagnostic reviews, testing, commissioning, cutovers, and construction support activities, including responding to RFIs, reviewing submittals, and supporting revenue service implementation.
Interface with clients, railroads, contractors, regulatory agencies, and project stakeholders while ensuring compliance with FRA, FTA, AREMA, MUTCD, railroad owner standards, and applicable safety, quality, and environmental requirements.
Lead factory acceptance testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT), commissioning, cutover planning, and revenue service implementation activities for signal, train control, and grade crossing systems.
Develop signal design criteria, standards, specifications, engineer’s cost estimates, and evaluate alternative technical solutions and value engineering opportunities to improve safety, reliability, constructability, and lifecycle costs.
Support and coordinate highway-rail grade crossings, traffic signal preemption and transit signal priority (TSP) systems, while interfacing with FRA, railroads, transit agencies, roadway authorities, utility owners, and other project stakeholders throughout project development and implementation.
Assist in leading the growth and development of the Signals practice, including 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 across traction power, communications, systems integration, and other rail disciplines.
Support proposal development, technical presentations, client engagement, and strategic business development efforts to expand the Signals practice and strengthen client relationships.
Develop and maintain signal engineering standards, specifications, design criteria, lessons learned, and best practices to promote consistency and technical excellence across projects.
Provide technical leadership for major corridor modernization, expansion, and state-of-good-repair programs while ensuring quality, constructability, maintainability, and lifecycle performance.