Director of Design Quality Assurance

The Director of Design Quality Assurance (QA) serves as the MBTA's senior authority for design quality management across the Capital Investment Program and is responsible for establishing, implementing, and continuously improving design quality assurance policies, standards, procedures, and governance practices for planning, design, and construction phase service activities. The Director provides strategic leadership for design quality management initiatives supporting the Authority's multi-billion-dollar capital program and ensures compliance with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) requirements, MBTA standards, industry best practices, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations. The Director partners with executive leadership, engineering disciplines, project delivery teams, operations, maintenance, safety, consultants, contractors, and external regulatory agencies to promote a culture of quality, reduce project risk, improve project delivery performance, and ensure the successful delivery of safe, reliable, and sustainable transit infrastructure. The position is accountable for quality governance, design quality performance, organizational development, consultant quality oversight, lessons learned programs, quality audits, risk management, and continuous improvement initiatives throughout the project lifecycle. The role also includes attending and contributing to local safety committee meetings as needed.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership, oversight, and continuous improvement of the MBTA's Design Quality Assurance Program in support of the Authority's Capital Investment Program.
• Establish, implement, and maintain quality assurance policies, procedures, standards, and governance frameworks for planning, design, and construction phase service activities.
• Direct the execution and ongoing enhancement of the MBTA Quality Management Plan (QMP) and related quality management systems.
• Develop and implement quality objectives, performance measures, key performance indicators (KPIs), and reporting tools to monitor design quality performance across the Capital Program.
• Lead quality assurance audits, surveillances, assessments, and compliance reviews to ensure adherence to MBTA standards, Federal Transit Administration (FTA) requirements, applicable codes, and industry best practices.
• Oversee the review and approval of consultant project specific Project Quality Plans and ensure consistent implementation across all capital projects.
• Serve as the executive lead for the identification, evaluation, mitigation, and reporting of design quality risks affecting project cost, schedule, safety, operability, and maintainability.
• Direct the development, implementation, and monitoring of corrective and preventive action programs to address design quality deficiencies and improve project delivery outcomes.
• Lead the MBTA Designer Errors and Omissions (E&O) Program, including participation in the E&O Committee, trend analysis, cost recovery efforts, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Serve as a standing and voting member of Designer Selection Committees and provide quality-related recommendations regarding consultant procurement and selection.
• Establish and maintain consultant performance management programs, including oversight of Consultant Performance Evaluation Reports (CPERs) and quality-related performance metrics.
• Develop and maintain standard design and construction scope templates, technical requirements, and quality provisions for consultant contracts and procurements.
• Oversee the Capital Program Project Development Group (PDG) process and monitor compliance with project governance, quality standards, and stage-gate requirements.
• Analyze quality data, audit findings, lessons learned, and performance trends to identify systemic issues and implement process improvements.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Capital Delivery, Operations, Maintenance, Safety, Environmental, and other Authority departments to ensure quality requirements are integrated throughout the project lifecycle.
• Represent the MBTA in design quality-related matters involving regulatory agencies, external auditors, consultants, contractors, industry organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Provide executive-level guidance and recommendations to senior leadership regarding design quality performance, project risks, policy development, and organizational improvement opportunities.
• Direct, mentor, and develop a multidisciplinary team of quality managers, auditors, engineers, and technical professionals while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Manage departmental staffing, resource planning, succession planning, and workforce development initiatives to ensure organizational effectiveness.
• Develop, administer, and monitor departmental budgets, consultant resources, and operational expenditures to ensure efficient utilization of Authority resources.
• Support procurement activities, contract negotiations, and consultant selection processes to ensure quality requirements are appropriately incorporated into contracts and scopes of work.
• Drive a company or personal vehicle to attend job meetings as required and visit job sites and field offices to obtain first-hand knowledge of projects.
• Respond to each inquiry, whether from a customer, vendor or coworker in a courteous and professional manner which is consistent with the MBTA's customer service quality standard.
• Respond to emergencies, either directly or through subordinates, on a twenty-four (24) hour, seven (7) day per week basis.
• Work in the office at least three days per week, and up to five days per week as directed.
• Uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining an effective relationship with employees.
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned. Additional responsibilities may include a focus on one or more departments or locations; see applicable addendum for department or location-specific functions.

Supervision

• Supervise, directly and/or indirectly through managers, a technical and administrative staff comprised of QA Managers and QA auditors.

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Engineering, Architecture, or a related field.
• Seven (7) years of progressive experience in the design of major projects.
• Five (5) years of supervisory, manager, or leader experience managing professional, technical staff.
• Strong oral, written, and interpersonal skills; effective organizational, analytical, and multitasking abilities.
• Strong people-management and leadership skills, with the ability to foster collaboration and drive employee engagement.
• Ability to use the MS Office suite of applications as well as database applications.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately.
• Effectively communicate with customers, employees, contractors, and vendors.
• Excellent customer service, conflict resolution, time management, communication, presentation, and speaking skills.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.
• Ability to work any shifts and/or locations as assigned or directed and be available to work twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week.
• Ability to supervise and work effectively with a diverse workforce.

Substitutions

• A master's degree in a related subject substitutes for two (2) years of general experience.
• A nationally recognized certification, or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes for one year of experience.

Preferred Experience & Skills

• A Master's degree from an accredited institution in Engineering, Architecture, or a related field.
• Twelve (12) years of related experience.
• Three (3) years of experience as a QA/QC Engineer, QA/QC specialist, or similar role.
• Experience within a public transit or transportation agency or large public/private-sector infrastructure organization.
• Experience with alternative project delivery methods including Design-Build and/or CMAR.
• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), or Six Sigma Black Belt certification.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license or Registered Architect (RA) designation in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Working Conditions

• Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, and inquiries in English.
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship/co-op program.
• Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
• Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required).
• Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
• Ability to adhere to the rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA.
• Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting, including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records.
• Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and/or medical clinic screening, potentially including physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
• Ability to work all shifts and/or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit/operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
• Intern/co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship/co-op. Interns/co-ops must also have valid work authorization and a U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting pre-employment screenings/pre-boarding, working in their positions, and throughout the duration of their program.