DIRECTOR, ENGINEERING (RAIL COMMUNICATIONS SYTEMS)

Metro’s mission is to provide a world-class transportation system that enhances the quality of life for all who live, work, and play within LA County.

About the role

Oversees technical staff and consultants performing engineering and architectural design services related to large-scale transportation projects. Oversees technical staff and consultants performing engineering design for rail communications systems, including Cable Transmission System (CTS), Transit Passenger Information System (TPIS), Closed Circuit Television (CCTV), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Facility and Emergency Management (F&EM) System, Telephone, Radio, Microwave, Seismic and Gas Detection, and Fire Alarm Systems.

Interviews are projected to be scheduled for the week of 9/1/2026. These dates are subject to change.

Responsibilities

• Oversees and manages large-scale engineering and architectural activities for major rail and bus projects to ensure compliance with Metro, federal, state, and local regulatory requirements.
• Oversees and administers the design, procurement, construction, and installation of major bus and rail facilities.
• Oversees the management of consultant contracts for design, construction, or procurement of facilities and systems equipment.
• Negotiates consultant and equipment contracts, including contract changes; oversees change control process.
• Participates in the preparation of contract front-end documents.
• Directs preparation of feasibility and trade-off studies, engineering reports, and economic analyses.
• Administers and monitors work and contracts for compliance with budget, schedule, standards, and objectives.
• Reviews consultants' plans and specifications for technical adequacy and completeness.
• Facilitates resolution of design, construction, third-party, and operations problems.
• Recommends design activity improvements for efficiency, compliance, and cost-effectiveness.
• Interfaces with the various divisions of Metro.
• Plans budget and staffing needs and assists in preparing department and project budgets.
• Represents Metro before outside agencies.
• Prepares and presents reports to management, staff, the Board of Directors, community groups, and government officials.
• Serves as chairperson for design reviews and other technical meetings.
• Directs, supervises, trains, mentors, and motivates assigned staff.
• Communicates and implements safety rules, policies, and procedures in support of the agency's safety vision and goals; and maintains accountability for the safety performance of all assigned employees.

Requirements

A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Additional experience, as outlined below, may be substituted for required education on a year-for-year basis. A typical combination includes:

• Education: Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Architecture, or a related field.
• Experience: Five years of relevant management-level experience as an engineer, architect, or Project Manager on major transit or public works projects with at least two years of experience in specialized area of assignment.
• Certifications/Licenses/Special Requirements:
  • A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
  • California license as a Professional Engineer (PE) or Architect is preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

The following are preferred qualifications and are not intended to serve as minimum requirements for the position:

• Experience overseeing the design, construction, test, and commission of the Cable Transmission System (CTS) configured with Ethernet Ring Protection Switching (ERPS) for a transit agency.
• Experience designing communications systems for underground rail transit applications including stations and tunnels on major capital transit projects.
• Experience developing technical scope of work and preliminary engineering design of the communications systems for heavy rail transit projects.
• Experience designing, constructing, testing, and commissioning the SCADA system for underground rail transit projects.
• California Electrical Professional Engineer (PE) License.

Skills

• Knowledge of:
  • Theories, principles, and practices of applicable disciplines in architectural, civil, mechanical, structural, electrical, or environmental engineering, hazardous waste regulations, and environmental laws.
  • Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations governing environmental, engineering, equipment, construction standards, and rail transit operations.
  • Project management and control practices.
  • Financial, analytical, and statistical research and mathematical processes and procedures.
  • Metro policies and procedures.
  • Principles of supervision.
  • Applicable business software applications.
• Skill in:
  • Planning, organizing, and managing large-scale design and construction projects.
  • Reading, analyzing, and interpreting engineering plans and specifications for large-scale engineering projects.
  • Preparing complex comprehensive reports and correspondence.
  • Analyzing data and situations, identifying problems, developing and recommending solutions, and evaluating outcomes.
  • Exercising sound judgment and creativity in making decisions.
  • Communicating effectively orally and in writing.
  • Interacting professionally with various levels of Metro employees and outside representatives.
  • Negotiating.
• Ability to:
  • Manage projects from start-up to completion.
  • Think and act independently.
  • Prioritize and multi-task.
  • Make financial decisions within a budget.
  • Understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, budgets, and contracts.
  • Supervise, train, mentor, and motivate assigned staff.
  • Read, write, speak, and understand English.

Working Conditions

• Typical office situation with close exposure to computer monitors and video screens.
• Physical effort required includes:
  • Sitting at a desk or table.
  • Operating a telephone or other telecommunications device and communicating through the medium.
  • Typing and using a keyboard and mouse to perform necessary computer-based functions.
  • Communicating through speech in the English language.