Engineer I - III (1021) - Automotive

About the role

SEPTA is seeking candidates for Engineer roles within the Automotive department at three experience levels:

• Engineer I – Entry Level: Responsible for engineering/quality assurance assignments of basic complexity while receiving on-the-job training. Provides technical support aligned with SEPTA’s mission and goals.
• Engineer II – Mid-Level: Utilizes prior engineering experience to handle assignments of moderate complexity, contributing to SEPTA’s infrastructure and system enhancements.
• Engineer III – Experienced Level: Handles engineering/quality assurance assignments of moderate to significant complexity, including design coordination, inspection plans, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Salaries:

• Engineer I: $72,072
• Engineer II: $78,702
• Engineer III: $87,854

An additional $5,000 is provided for candidates holding a Pennsylvania PE/RA license.

Responsibilities

• Consult with managerial and senior staff to define projects.
• Apply engineering and quality assurance principles with sound judgment.
• Assist in preparing budgets for proposed projects and third-party work.
• Demonstrate strong technical writing skills for reports, scopes of work, audits, and memoranda.
• Interface with governmental agencies and transit authorities on pertinent matters.
• Collaborate in team efforts to resolve complex issues.
• Interact with shop customers to provide project updates, assess satisfaction, and receive new work requests.
• Support quality control objectives to maximize product reliability and minimize costs.
• Assist Senior Project Engineers and Vehicle Technical Managers as needed.

Discipline-Specific Responsibilities (New Automotive Vehicle Engineering)

• Provide technical assistance to vehicle maintenance personnel.
• Write engineering scopes of work, standard operating procedures, bulletins, and specifications.
• Coordinate with maintenance management to develop and implement Preventive Maintenance and Inspection Programs.
• Review and update drawings, specifications, and engineering documents.
• Define, implement, and document maintenance procedures for assigned vehicle fleets.
• Use computerized maintenance records to resolve vehicle system faults or malfunctions.
• Provide statistical process control (SPC) support for New Vehicle Maintenance and other SEPTA divisions.
• Summarize and present statistical data on vehicles, materials, and operating characteristics.
• Create file maintenance inputs to ensure proper designation of repair/renewal materials.
• Monitor vehicle and material quality activities, applying findings to improve quality, productivity, safety, and reliability.
• Analyze problem areas and recommend corrective actions for defects in materials, procedures, or equipment.
• Recommend revisions to maintenance procedures to enhance vehicle performance.
• Ensure proper interpretation of material or service specifications for rebuild/overhaul processes.
• Participate in audits of New Vehicle Maintenance inspection activities.
• Conduct vehicle incident investigations to determine root causes.
• Monitor project progress and communicate concerns or delays to management and stakeholders.
• Comply with all SEPTA and departmental safety and security policies.
• Report safety concerns or hazards affecting operations, the public, or employees.
• Make independent decisions regarding engineering problems and maintenance procedures.
• Travel requirement: up to 50% annually.

Requirements

• B.S. Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Mechatronics Engineering from an accredited university (required for all levels).
• Experience requirements:
  • Engineer I: No prior experience required.
  • Engineer II: 1 year of relevant work experience.
  • Engineer III: 3 years of relevant work experience.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Adobe Acrobat and MS Office applications (Excel, Access, Outlook, Word).
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD or similar software programs.
• Valid Driver’s License.
• Previous transit experience within the engineering discipline (preferred).

Benefits

• Comprehensive Healthcare Coverage: Medical, prescription, dental, and vision plans with little to no employee premiums.
• Retirement Security: Defined Benefit Pension Plan and 457B Deferred Compensation Plan.
• Work-Life Balance: Paid parental leave, generous vacation time, and paid holidays.
• Employee Wellness: Access to wellness programs and resources for physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
• Invest in Your Growth: Tuition reimbursement for education and career advancement.
• Student Loan Assistance: Eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
• Free Travel Perks: Unlimited access to all SEPTA services with a FREE SEPTA Transportation Pass.