Vehicle Engineer (Rail)

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority•College Park, MD

6d•Onsite

About The Position

If you are interested in designing test systems, testing & troubleshooting railcars and working as the technical project lead in a dynamic environment, you must consider joining the Railcar Vehicle Engineering team at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. You will be responsible for resolving complex issues, while contributing day & night to the building of a technologically advanced, world class transportation system. Our ideal candidates must have experience with testing and troubleshooting various railcar/vehicle sub-systems. Experience analyzing Vehicle Monitoring System (VMS), Vehicle Monitoring Diagnostic System (VMDS), Event Recorder (ER) and sub-system data is also required. Experience with the design, test and/or troubleshooting of Automatic Train Control (ATC) and Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) sub-systems is preferred. The Vehicle Engineering candidate must have effective communication skills, as well as competence with the creation and review of technical documentation (i.e. procedures, reports, etc.). In addition, our ideal candidate must have practical knowledge of engineering design principles, troubleshooting techniques and the ability to read and interpret electrical/mechanical schematics/drawings. Successful candidates for this role will work from Metro's Greenbelt Rail Yard and will be required to work various locations, shifts, and start times and weekends, when needed. SUMMARY The Vehicle Engineer is responsible for ensuring the design and maintenance integrity of rail car and maintenance vehicles, vehicle systems, subsystems and support equipment or transit bus, or non-revenue service vehicles and support equipment responsible for evaluating railcar or transit buses, or non-revenue service vehicles system performance, condition, and characteristics and, where appropriate, initiating and implementing modifications. Also responsible for integrating broadly stated policies or objectives into preventative or corrective maintenance programs.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in mechanical, Electrical or a related Engineering field
In lieu of a bachelor's degree, a High School Diploma and four (4) years of experience performing vehicle engineering tasks (i.e. troubleshooting, vehicle/sub-system testing, component/sub-system design, development & review of technical documentation) may be considered.
Three (3) years of progressively responsible engineering experience performing rail/maintenance of way vehicle engineering tasks (i.e. troubleshooting, vehicle/sub- system testing, component/sub-system design, development & review of technical documentation).
Experience analyzing Vehicle Monitoring System (VMS), Vehicle Monitoring Diagnostic System (VMDS), Event Recorder (ER) and sub-system data is also required.
The Vehicle Engineering candidate must have effective communication skills, as well as competence with the creation and review of technical documentation (i.e. procedures, reports, etc.).
Our ideal candidate must have practical knowledge of engineering design principles, troubleshooting techniques and the ability to read and interpret electrical/mechanical schematics/drawings.
Successful candidates for this role will work from Metro's Greenbelt Rail Yard and will be required to work various locations, shifts, and start times and weekends, when needed.

Nice To Haves

Experience with the design, test and/or troubleshooting of Automatic Train Control (ATC) and Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) sub-systems is preferred.
Experience in developing equipment specifications is desired.

Responsibilities

Tests vehicles using various test and data acquisition systems to evaluate operational performance parameters.
Ensures that the requirements for new rapid transit cars, maintenance vehicles, or transit buses, or non-revenue service vehicles and their related systems, subsystems, and support equipment are included in WMATA specifications.
Serves as project engineer for procurement of equipment or services related to rail cars and maintenance vehicles or transit buses or non-revenue service vehicles.
Evaluates the performance of transit rail car and maintenance vehicle systems, subsystems and components or transit buses, or non-revenue service vehicles to determine the nature and cause of problems that develop in the course of their operation and recommends corrective actions or special maintenance procedures that will eliminate future failures.
Investigates and prepares reports on technical studies relating to design, compatibility, maintenance and testing requirements of rail car/track equipment systems and subsystems or transit buses, or non-revenue service vehicles.
Evaluates technical proposals, cost estimates, specifications, and designs for compliance with WMATAs operational needs.
Develops technical specifications and designs for new vehicles and/or replacement equipment, develops implementation schedules and coordinates installation, monitors progress and schedules to ensure adherence to timetables, budgets, and contract completion.
Develops effective standards for equipment and system testing, determining cause and effect of maintenance failures.
Directs the operational tests of rapid transit car systems and subsystems or transit buses, or non-revenue service vehicles in coordination with maintenance or engineering personnel.
Reviews equipment condition and reliability and recommends systems or subsystems for replacement or rehabilitation under the Capital Improvement Program.
Performs life cycle cost analysis to determine effectiveness of current systems and equipment in meeting service requirements.
Performs engineering and technical evaluation of new vehicles and newly installed, modified, or existing equipment to ensure conformity with WMATAs installation, performance, and maintenance standards.
Analyzes the above-mentioned modifications for potential effects in the area of rail car/track equipment or transit buses, or non-revenue service vehicles cost, time requirements and reliability.
Reviews contractor submittals, evaluate test procedures, maintenance manuals and inspection schedules for new equipment and recommend improvements to enhance reliability objectives.
Develops preventive maintenance procedures for equipment and recommends adjustments to maintenance schedules as necessary to improve reliability or respond to changing operating conditions.
Respond to incidents, conducts incident investigations, and writes formal report of findings.
Performs duties of the Roadway Worker in Charge as assigned in support of rail vehicle/maintenance of way equipment track testing.
Performs engineering and design work to assist with maintaining Engineering documentation within the EPDM system, for the Configuration Control Management process.
Ensures configuration control for technical documentation, maintenance manuals and drawings.
Maintains and promotes awareness and accountability with safety policies and procedures while performing job functions.
Promotes a positive safety culture and encourages reporting of safety concerns consistent with our Agency Safety Plan, other regulatory requirements within the Safety Management System and just culture principles.