Job Description
As a Technical Director, Transit & Rail Systems Engineer, you will play a critical role in supporting the planning, design, integration, and delivery of complex rail and transit systems. You will work collaboratively across engineering disciplines to ensure technical excellence, effective system integration, and reliable system performance. This is a dynamic position that requires work within many aspects of rail systems and signaling. This position will sit within the Northwest Pacific Major Projects Team and supports active projects and ongoing pursuits in the Seattle and larger regional transit and transportation market. This individual will work closely with our Transportation & Infrastructure Team and contribute to a growing organization that helps clients advance complex transit initiatives and solve their most pressing mobility challenges.
This position will require co-location working to one of the three Puget Sound WSP offices (Seattle, Tacoma or Redmond) and the client facilities in the Seattle area.
Responsibilities
Systems Engineering & Integration
- Lead and support systems engineering activities including requirements development, traceability, system architecture, and interface management.
- Contribute to system integration planning, testing, verification, and validation activities.
- Participate in and support technical and design reviews across project phases.
- Coordinate system integration activities with project milestones and delivery stage gates.
Technical Coordination & Quality
- Collaborate with subject matter experts across engineering disciplines to ensure coordinated technical support for client programs.
- Ensure compliance with system performance requirements, applicable codes, standards, and client expectations.
- Review manufacturer proposals and technical submittals and provide recommendations.
- Support client systems programs through supplier site visits and the development and execution of inspection plans.
Stakeholder & Client Engagement
- Communicate complex technical topics clearly with clients, stakeholders, and project teams.
- Coordinate with internal WSP teams to align systems requirements for procurements and delivery.
- Participate in technical engagements with suppliers and industry partners to remain informed on emerging technologies.
- Collaborate across WSP’s Transit and Infrastructure teams to develop requirements for upcoming procurements.
- Work closely with subject matter experts (SMEs) across engineering disciplines to ensure effective coordination of technical support for client programs.
Leadership, Mentorship, and Project Management
- Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior staff.
- Assist with project planning and delivery activities, including scope, schedule, and budget management.
- Ensure regular project reporting and updates are provided to clients, technical areas, and business unit managers, identifying any emergent issues with scope, risk, and/or budget.
- Demonstrate flexibility and leadership in fast-paced environments with tight deadlines.
- Foster effective and proactive strategies to engage project stakeholders at all levels, maintain effective relationships, and report on project progress.
- Participate in the technical aspects of contract negotiation, presentations, and meetings.
- Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
Business Development
- Advance client goals and industry innovation through leadership in transit rail systems design, and delivery.
- Collaborate with local offices and national transit experts to provide clients with forward-looking, integrated solutions.
- Provide proactive transit rail business development efforts, strategy development, client engagement, and pursuits across Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Alaska, Hawaii, and Washington.
- Provide guidance and leadership with pursuit/initiation activities for projects meeting defined criteria or risk profile; including “Go / No-Go” decisions, contract reviews, risk mitigation strategies, pricing reviews, etc.
- Serve as key staff on pursuits in roles such as project manager, deputy project manager, Systems design lead, advisor, or subject matter expert.
- Assist in procuring contracts with preferred sub-consultants and contractors for transit and multimodal transportation projects.
- Engage with clients to develop new business leads and project opportunities.
- Build strategic alliances and partnerships to secure new transit rail work.
- Represent WSP in the market through participation in client and industry forums, committees, and associations.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical, Mechanical or related engineering discipline (or equivalent experience)
- 12+ years of relevant post education experience in rail systems, transit systems, or related infrastructure projects. Preference for experience