Electronic Specialist - 90411083 - Chicago

As we move America’s workforce toward the future, Amtrak connects businesses and communities across the country. We employ more than 20,000 diverse, energetic professionals in a variety of career fields throughout the United States. The safety of our passengers, our employees, the public, and our operating environment is our priority, and the success of our railroad is due to our employees.

About the role

This role is responsible for monitoring, maintaining, and troubleshooting Amtrak’s Centralized Traffic Control (CTC) system and associated technologies, including Train Dispatch Control Systems, PTC, SCADA, and EEPs. This role ensures the reliability of local and wide-area networks, workstation equipment, visual displays, and related electronics supporting computerized dispatching and corporate systems. The Electronic Specialist serves as the primary contact for emergency dispatch operations during telecommunications failures, coordinating system restoration with internal teams and third-party providers. Additional responsibilities include system update testing, verification of functionality, and providing desktop support for local dispatch systems while collaborating with internal departments and external rail partners.

Responsibilities

• Monitor all production systems and provide immediate onsite support for any problems, including but not limited to AMTEC, SCADA, PTC, and EEPS.
• Provide historical data to other departments and agencies for reporting as well as data for the development groups for troubleshooting purposes.
• Perform system administration and troubleshooting duties on the HP NonStop and Red Hat (RHEL 8) workstations.
• Install, configure, and troubleshoot Igel’s and HP Thin Clients, printers, cabling, and various computer and network hardware.
• Provide information, assistance, and support to various departments within Amtrak as well as working with employees of Metra Railroad and BNSF Railroad to determine areas of responsibility in the event of interruptions in data communications.
• Serve as the key contact point for preparing and providing emergency train dispatching operations in the event of a failure within the Amtrak telecommunications system and coordinate the restoration of the system and/or its outlying equipment in conjunction with other Amtrak employees and third-party telecommunications service providers.
• Assist with system update testing and verification of system and field functionality.
• Provide corporate desktop support for local dispatch systems.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or engineering or equivalent experience.
• 4+ years of related experience.
• This position requires medical examination, criminal background check, previous employment verification, initial drug and alcohol screening in accordance with Amtrak company policy and federal DOT regulations.
• Position is subject to mandatory random, reasonable suspicion/suspicious behavior, and post-accident drug and alcohol testing regulations as per FRA CFR Part 219.
• Successful completion of company-supplied, in-house roadway worker training class and Amtrak operating rules class to maintain employment as per FRA CFR Part 214 and Part 218.
• Applicants will be required to qualify for the position by passing a written Electronic Specialist examination.
• Experience with Red Hat Linux, Server, and Mainframe is a plus.
• Applicants who successfully pass the written examination will be required to complete an entrance interview.
• Possesses good communication and interpersonal skills, works well with others in an integrated team environment, and must be self-sufficient.
• Exposure to the ITIL Framework for Incident, Change, Problem, and Release Management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Electronic/electrical education or background.
• Microsoft, Linux, or Red Hat certification.
• Networking, computer hardware/software experience.
• Previous experience in Industrial Control System (ICS), SCADA, or CTC Dispatching Center.
• Previous experience using Linux/Unix operating system.
• Previous experience with Nonstop server-type systems.

Skills

• Technical Expertise: Background in electronics, electrical systems, networking, and computer hardware/software; experience with Industrial Control Systems (ICS), SCADA, or CTC Dispatching Centers preferred.
• Operating System and Server Knowledge: Familiarity with Linux/Unix environments and Nonstop server systems.
• Communication and Collaboration Skills: Strong interpersonal and communication abilities; able to work effectively in an integrated team environment while being self-sufficient.
• Adaptability and Problem-Solving: Ability to troubleshoot complex systems and coordinate solutions across multiple platforms and stakeholders.

Schedule

This role supports a 24/7 environment and is available for two shifts:

• Flow Shift: Sunday, 6am-2:30pm; Monday & Tuesday, 2pm-10:30pm; Wednesday & Thursday, 10pm – 6:30am (Off: Friday and Saturday).

Shift work and after-hours work is required and may be up to 16 hours per day. Requires on-call status.

Pay

The salary range is $65,500.00 – $84,888.00. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, and certifications. Depending on an employee’s assigned worksite or location, Amtrak may consider a geo-pay differential to be applied to the employee’s base salary. Amtrak may offer additional incentive and pay programs to recognize and reward employees, including a short-term incentive bonus based upon factors such as individual and company performance that is commensurate with the level of the position.

Benefits

• Health and Wellbeing: Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance; Wellness Programs; No-cost Personal Health Advocate; Medical Plan Opt-out Credit; Health Savings Account; Fertility and Family Building Benefits; Adoption and Surrogacy Assistance; Paid Caregiving Days and Backup Care.
• Financial and Retirement: 401K with Employer Match; Railroad Retirement Benefits; No-cost Financial Advisor Sessions; Commuter and Flexible Spending Accounts; Student Loan Assistance; Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness.
• Work and Family Life Support: Generous Paid Time Off; Paid Family Leave; Tuition and Education Reimbursement; Life Insurance; Short- and Long-term Disability Insurance; Employee Assistance Program.
• Additional Perks: Rail Pass Privileges.