Manager-Transit Systems Engineering

Salary range is $107k to $213k, with a midpoint of $160k. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Benefits

• Health Benefits: Two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retirement Plans:
  • 401a – 10% employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit.
  • 457b – up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: 25 days annually with increases at four, eight, and twelve years of service. Additional days for director level and above. 12 paid holidays, up to 2 paid floating holidays, and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks for new parents.
• Pet Insurance discount.
• ORCA Card: Free for all full-time employees.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Inclusive Reproductive Health Support Services.

About the role

This is a technical engineering management role supervising the Transit Systems Engineering (TSE) unit of the Transit Systems Technology (TST) team. Transit Systems Engineering refers to the engineering work performed to support facilities, light rail, heavy rail, access control, CCTV, streetcar systems, and equipment in their entirety during the life of the system/asset while under the control of the Service Delivery department (i.e., post-construction). Systems supported include, but are not limited to, vehicle systems, intrusion detection, passenger information management systems, radio communications, vertical conveyance, access control, fare collection, and support for the design, development, and implementation of new innovative systems.

The purpose of TSE is to provide expert engineering judgment and manage work teams providing technical support for vehicles, communications, control systems, and automated control systems for Sound Transit operations technology, non-expansion projects, and operations support. TSE also provides technical review of systems in expansion programs as well as performing systems integration testing for supported systems on expansion projects. This position relies upon knowledge and experience of systems integration, engineering, management, and leadership to ensure that the work performed by assigned technical teams is completed efficiently, on-time, and to a continuously improving level of quality. The TSE team ensures that all communication and assigned control systems of transit passenger stations, vehicles, and maintenance facilities are properly maintained in a good state of repair.

Responsibilities

• Plans, directs, coordinates, and reviews the work of assigned staff; assigns work activities and coordinates schedules, projects, and programs; provides constructive feedback; reviews and evaluates work and makes effective suggestions and recommendations in support of operations.
• Provides engineering support to expansion projects as necessary. Supports the development and execution of systems integration testing as required.
• In collaboration with interfacing system owners and stakeholders, approves deviations from established agency standards and criteria in assigned engineering discipline.
• Reviews, provides input to, and accepts formal contract deliverables and submittals to provide assurance of project compliance with established agency technical criteria, policies, and procedures for design development, systems interface coordination and integration, construction, and testing and commissioning. May be required to review engineering drawings and specifications.
• In support of long-term transit growth plans, recommends process and system improvements to increase Department efficiency; and assesses new technologies to generate improvements in operational efficiency.
• Recruits, coaches, trains, and motivates staff and manages employee relations. Prepares developmental work plans for staff, recommends and implements corrective actions and disciplinary procedures as appropriate.
• Provides other support to the department/division as directed, including serving on committees and review boards for cross-functional work.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency. Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit’s Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• Follows Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• Integrates sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field; five years of technical systems engineering experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Three years of leadership, budgetary, planning, and workforce management experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer License or Professional Architect license issued by the State of Washington.

Skills

• Engineering principles, methods, and techniques relevant to the assigned technical discipline applied during design, construction, testing and commissioning, operations, and maintenance of transportation infrastructure projects.
• Methods and techniques involved in designing, installing, and maintaining multi-vendor systems and connectivity.
• Codes and related regulations applicable to area of practice.
• Recent developments, current literature, and sources of information related to emerging trends and innovation in area of practice.
• Troubleshooting, diagnostic, and root cause analysis – ability to systematically investigate equipment failures in complex systems, determine the root cause, and recommend corrective action.
• Time management – ability to manage a large workload, prioritize effort, delegate effectively, and manage commitments.
• Collaboration – Excellent ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other agency staff, consultants, contractors, authorities having jurisdiction, and other stakeholder groups. Is able to consistently reach consensus with diverse groups of stakeholders.
• Communication – Excellent skill in communicating clear and accurate technical information to technical and non-technical audiences in verbal and written form.
• Meeting management – Advanced skill in planning, conducting, and recording effective meetings.
• Budget development and management.
• Systems thinking – Advanced skill in understanding the whole problem, seeking different perspectives, understanding interdependencies, and decomposing complex problems into solvable elements.
• Technical road mapping with emphasis on forward planning system upgrades for state of good repair.
• Conflict resolution – ability to respectfully reconcile different points of view held by diverse stakeholders on matters pertaining to area of practice.
• Performance management – Ability to develop well-defined goals and evaluate performance objectively.
• Coaching – Ability to foster a relationship with employees focused on continually developing technical and interpersonal skills.

Work Environment

Work is performed in a standard hybrid office environment, with the expectation of working in the office at least 3 days per week. The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.