Train Control Design Manager

AtkinsRéalis•Lynnwood, WA

11h

About The Position

AtkinsRéalis is seeking a Train Control Design Manager in Lynnwood, Washington. Under general direction, the role serves as Train Control Discipline Lead and the primary technical authority for train control and signalling systems. It provides strategic and technical direction and people leadership across the organization, with line management responsibility for the Train Control team, including staffing, performance management, professional development, and resource planning. The position applies recognized expertise to diverse engineering activities and upholds engineering ethics and standards of conduct. The manager leads design, integration, and commissioning of train control systems, including automatic train protection (ATP), automatic train operation (ATO), and communications-based train control (CBTC). The role ensures systems meet operational requirements, safety standards, and regulatory requirements for passenger and freight rail. It coordinates multidisciplinary teams; oversees system architectures, interface specifications, and test procedures; and provides technical leadership for hazard analysis, failure mode and effects analysis, and safety certification. The position acts as the primary technical liaison with clients, regulatory agencies, and third-party vendors. It defines project scope, organizes and executes assignments, develops solutions to technical challenges, reviews design work for quality and completeness, inspects installations, and conducts or oversees remedial design work. It monitors developments in train control and signalling and recommends improvements to plans and programs. The manager may also serve as project manager for routine to semi-complex projects, with responsibilities that may include marketing, contract negotiation, budgeting, financial management, schedule coordination, and resource allocation. The work involves coordination, research, and problem solving on engineering projects with unique or controversial problems that can affect major organizational programs. Supervision is primarily administrative, with assignments set by broad objectives and limits; the manager acts independently on technical matters. The position supervises or coordinates senior professionals and support staff, interfaces with technical and administrative leaders, and represents the organization at conferences with clients, prospective clients, and regulatory agencies.

Requirements

B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field.
Professional Engineer (P.E.) license required.
At least 10 years of rail/transit experience focused on train control.
Demonstrated expertise in train control, signalling, and related safety-critical systems.
Familiarity with industry standards such as AREMA, IEEE, FRA, and FTA, and with safety certification processes.
Strong technical writing and communication skills, demonstrated through technical presentations, technical papers, and/or participation in technical committees.
Ability to process paper and electronic documents and use computer equipment.
Ability to communicate clearly orally and in writing.
Ability to visit project sites when necessary.
Ability to plan, prioritize, and review project plans and documents, evaluate alternatives, and select appropriate solutions.

Nice To Haves

M.S. degree or graduate-level technical coursework preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as Train Control Discipline Lead and primary technical authority for train control and signalling systems.
Provide strategic direction and people leadership for the Train Control team, including staffing, performance management, professional development, and resource planning.
Lead the design, integration, and commissioning of ATP, ATO, CBTC, and other train control systems.
Ensure systems meet operational requirements, safety standards, and regulatory requirements for passenger and freight rail environments.
Coordinate multidisciplinary teams, including signalling engineers, software developers, systems integrators, and operations staff.
Oversee system architectures, interface specifications, and test procedures to support interoperability between train control subsystems and legacy infrastructure.
Provide technical leadership during hazard analysis, FMEA, and safety certification processes.
Serve as the primary technical liaison with clients, regulatory agencies, and third-party vendors on train control matters.
Define project scope and organize and execute assignments relating to signalling and train control systems.
Select technical problems for investigation and develop novel approaches and solutions.
Conduct quality control reviews of calculations, designs, evaluations, and specifications produced by design staff.
Perform on-site inspections and reviews of train control installations and conduct or oversee remedial design work.
Keep abreast of developments in train control, signalling, and CBTC systems.
Recommend improvements to train control plans and programs and ensure compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements, including FRA and FTA requirements.
May manage routine to semi-complex projects, including marketing, contract negotiations, budgeting, financial management, schedule coordination, and resource allocation.
Perform other duties assigned by the supervisor related to train control and signalling systems.
Supervise or coordinate with senior professionals and support staff and represent the organization in conferences with clients, prospective clients, and regulatory agencies.