Chief of Structures

About the Role

The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) is recruiting for Chief, Track & Structures. This senior position is responsible for managing a team of professional engineers, project managers, and support staff in delivering high-quality, compliant, and efficient structural design solutions across the organization's capital program.

Responsibilities

• Providing management oversight for all staff operating within the track and structures division, including supervising the performance, work quality, and activities of MTA staff and external consultant engineers and designers.
• Sharing strategic direction on complex management and technical decisions.
• Overseeing and/or directly administering design and engineering work for core capacity, strategic capital projects, system enhancements, expansions, improvements, and State of Good Repair projects for Metro, Light Rail Transit, Freight, and MARC.
• Developing and managing schedules, budgets, cost estimates, and negotiations for assigned projects, ensuring completeness, accuracy, and alignment with transportation priorities.
• Serving as a skilled collaborator with the Office of Procurement by developing technical proposals, including scopes of work, and sitting on selection committees for engineering contract solicitations.
• Leading multidisciplinary technical project reviews and recommending design solutions in coordination with MTA departments and other state and local agency partners.
• Developing and managing internal and/or consultant-based resources providing engineering support and guidance to the Departments of Operations and Maintenance of Way including technical specifications, maintenance and inspection programs, emergency and incident response and safety risk assessment and mitigation.
• Streamlining and facilitating the QA/QC process, including coordination with MTA operational divisions such as construction, systems, operations, and maintenance.
• Overseeing comprehensive MTA inspection programs encompassing tunnels, bridges, elevated structures, culverts, and other auxiliary structures situated along the transit system, and performing field site inspections as required.
• Maintaining involvement throughout the project lifecycle from planning and initiation to construction, commissioning, and closeout phases.
• Reviewing RFIs, contract deliverables, submittals, change order requests, and contractor invoices, recommending corrective actions as necessary.
• Participating in Risk Management Assessments and implementing risk mitigation strategies.
• Developing and leading a team of technical subject matter experts in the review and resolution of contractor claims, including preparation of technical position papers and recommended outcomes. Tasks will also include contract review, coordinating with MTA legal, and negotiating with contractors.
• Coordinating with Procurement, Capital Programming, and Project Managers for fund certifications, annual task fund lists, calls for projects, presentations, executive summaries, State of Good Repair reports, and executive memorandums related to construction projects.
• Providing project support to other MTA departments including reviewing budgets and financial plans and performing special analyses as requested by MTA senior management.
• Providing oversight and management of budget planning and reporting related to the Track and Structural Engineering components of the MTA Capital program and Consolidated Transportation Program.
• Working closely with project teams and fund managers to evaluate changes, resolve issues, and align budget allocations with transportation priorities.
• In-depth knowledge of structural engineering principles, codes, and standards and practices in broad areas related to bridge design; geotechnical/foundation design, substructure design, superstructure design, and retaining and noise walls.
• Familiarity with structural design and analysis, materials, and construction techniques for making informed decisions and ensuring compliance with regulations.
• The ability to identify and analyze problems, propose solutions, and make informed decisions, which includes critical thinking skills and the ability to troubleshoot and resolve issues that arise during the construction process.
• Conduct preliminary and detailed structural analysis and design, ensuring compliance with local and national building codes and standards. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of structural engineering principles and effectively communicate technical ideas and solutions to team members and clients.
• Design, analyze, and specify structural systems including steel, reinforced concrete, masonry, and timber for both new buildings and renovations/additions to existing structures.
• Lead or support an engineering team in evaluating, selecting, specifying, and engineering all structural systems for the project.
• Provide construction administration services and collaborate with contractors to address any construction issues that arise during the construction phase.
• Prepare detailed condition assessment reports on the condition of existing structures and systems.
• Coordinate with other divisions to ensure integrated design and functionality.
• Mentor and guide junior engineers within the Structural department, fostering a culture of growth and knowledge-sharing.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Possession of a Maryland Professional Engineer License, in the appropriate option, is required. Evidence of license must be presented at the time of appointment.
• Two (2) years of experience managing engineering projects as a licensed, professional engineer.
• Selective Qualification: One (1) year of experience in Structural Engineering or Trackwork Engineering.

Substitution Information: U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as defined under the Experience Requirement of the Minimum Qualifications may be substituted for the required education and experience on a year-for-year basis.

Ideal Candidate: The ideal candidate will possess twelve (12) years of experience in Professional Engineering and one (1) year of supervisory or consultant management experience.

Special Requirements:

• Employees may be subject to emergency recall 24 hours a day and may be required to maintain a reliable communication link (telephone or pager) for the purpose of emergency call back requirements.
• Eligible applicants may be subject to a background investigation under Federal or State laws and regulations.

Additional Information: Employees should adhere to all safety rules, policies, regulations, and personal protective equipment requirements to support a safe and healthy working environment. Employees may attend and participate in safety meetings and should report hazards, unsafe acts, near misses, injuries, and accidents immediately to the Office of Safety and supervision.