Traction Power Engineer

STV • Bellevue, WA

5d • $143,435 - $163,926

About The Position

STV is seeking a Traction Power Engineer to join its Systems team in Bellevue, Washington. The role supports the planning, design, analysis, and delivery of traction power systems for rail and transit infrastructure projects. The engineer works with multidisciplinary teams to develop reliable, safe, and maintainable systems that support transit operations.

The position covers projects across conceptual, preliminary, and final design, as well as construction, testing, commissioning, and system integration. Work includes traction power substations, DC and AC distribution, protection, grounding, equipment selection, design documentation, and coordination of interfaces with other rail systems and project disciplines. The role may also involve field investigations, site assessments, construction support, technical proposals, and project documentation.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline.
• 10+ years of relevant electrical engineering experience, preferably involving traction power, rail/transit systems, substations, power distribution, or comparable electrical infrastructure.
• Working knowledge of electrical power distribution principles, equipment, protection, grounding, and electrical system design.
• Experience preparing or reviewing engineering calculations, drawings, specifications, and technical reports.
• Ability to interpret electrical single-line diagrams, schematics, wiring diagrams, equipment layouts, and construction documents.
• Experience coordinating electrical designs with multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Strong technical problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to effectively manage technical assignments, priorities, and deliverables in a multidisciplinary project environment.

Nice To Haves

• Direct experience designing traction power systems for light rail, heavy rail, commuter rail, or other electrified transportation systems.
• Experience with DC traction power systems, including traction power substations, rectifiers, DC switchgear, feeder systems, negative return systems, and grounding.
• Experience with AC traction power or utility power systems.
• Familiarity with traction power simulation, load flow, short-circuit, protection coordination, grounding, or power system analysis tools.
• Experience with ETAP, SKM PowerTools, EasyPower, or comparable electrical analysis platforms.
• Experience with AutoCAD or MicroStation drafting software.
• Familiarity with relevant IEEE, NFPA, NEC, NEMA, and transit/rail authority standards and requirements.
• Experience coordinating interfaces between traction power and OCS/catenary, vehicles, signals, communications, utilities, and other rail systems.
• Experience supporting construction, testing, commissioning, or acceptance of traction power equipment.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license or Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification.
• Previous experience working on large, multidisciplinary transportation infrastructure programs.

Responsibilities

• Support the design and engineering of traction power systems for light rail, heavy rail, commuter rail, and other transit applications.
• Develop and review designs for traction power substations, DC distribution systems, AC power distribution, switchgear, transformers, rectifiers, circuit breakers, protective devices, grounding, and associated equipment.
• Perform or support traction power load flow, voltage drop, short-circuit, grounding, and system performance analyses.
• Prepare engineering calculations, technical specifications, design criteria, reports, drawings, single-line diagrams, equipment layouts, site plans, and other design documentation.
• Support traction power design through conceptual, preliminary, and final design, construction, testing, and commissioning phases.
• Coordinate traction power requirements and interfaces with OCS/catenary, signals, communications, track, facilities, utilities, vehicles, and civil/structural disciplines.
• Review vendor and contractor submittals, shop drawings, technical data, and requests for information.
• Assist with equipment selection and technical evaluation of traction power equipment and components.
• Support system interface definition and resolution of multidisciplinary design issues.
• Participate in design reviews, technical meetings, constructability reviews, and project coordination meetings.
• Provide engineering support during construction, installation, testing, commissioning, and system integration as required.
• Perform field investigations, site assessments, and inspections of existing traction power facilities and equipment.
• Support preparation of technical proposals, scopes of work, schedules, estimates, and other project documentation.
• Ensure designs comply with applicable client requirements, project criteria, codes, standards, and industry practices.

Benefits

• Health insurance, including an option with a Health Savings Account
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts for healthcare, dependent care, and transit and parking where applicable
• Disability insurance
• Life insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment
• 401(k) plan
• Retirement counseling
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off
• Paid holidays
• Back-Up Dependent Care
• Parental leave
• Continuing Education Program
• Professional licensure and society memberships

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior