Technical Services Assistant Manager (Section Manager II)

OCTA is seeking a Transit Technical Services Manager to lead the planning, procurement, refurbishment, deployment, and performance management of the agency’s bus fleet and related technologies.

About the role

This role oversees multimillion-dollar rolling stock projects, manages budgets and schedules, ensures technical compliance, mentors project managers, and resolves complex engineering issues across the lifecycle of OCTA vehicles.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering planning, technical development, and execution of multimillion-dollar rolling stock procurements, fleet modernization initiatives, vehicle refurbishments, repowers, mid-life overhauls, and engineering campaigns.
• Develop technical specifications, engineering requirements, project schedules, lifecycle cost analyses, budgets, and funding recommendations aligned with operational, regulatory, and performance objectives.
• Manage engineering resources, project budgets, schedules, performance metrics, and communicate engineering risks and recommendations to executive management and committees.
• Coordinate with Contract and Materials Management (CAMM) to support procurement, contract administration, and communication.
• Ensure revenue vehicles are specified, procured, accepted, and deployed in compliance with contract requirements while supporting new technologies.
• Direct preventive and predictive maintenance strategies, reliability improvement initiatives, and fleet performance recommendations.
• Prepare and present the Section budget, establish engineering performance measures, and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Mentor staff, supervise career development, perform engineering and financial analyses, and develop engineering-based asset and inventory management strategies.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Minimum of five years of experience in engineering, transportation maintenance, operations, planning, vehicle manufacturing, or related field.
• At least three years of senior-level project management experience.
• At least two years of management experience.
• Experience in rolling stock procurement preferred.

Skills

• Strong technical, analytical, budgeting, scheduling, and leadership skills.
• Ability to resolve complex technical issues where no clear procedures exist.
• Excellent communication and mentoring skills; ability to lead teams and influence cross-departmental collaboration.

Benefits

• Shape the future of OCTA’s bus fleet, including emerging technologies and major capital procurements.
• Lead high-impact engineering projects that enhance safety, service reliability, and operational efficiency.
• Work in a collaborative environment where innovation and technical expertise drive meaningful results.
• Join a team where innovation, integrity, and strategic thinking are valued.

Pay

This is an exempt position in Salary Grade 220: Min $117,228.80 – Mid $139,276.80 – Max $161,304.00/year. The starting salary will be within this range based on qualifications.