Assistant/Associate System Design Engineer

VTA is seeking a skilled electrical or systems engineer with project management expertise and a passion for powering transit systemsfrom concept to construction. Experience with tools like AutoCAD, SKM, and ETAP is a big plus!

The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will have a strong background in electrical or systems engineering, with experience managing projects from design through construction. Familiarity with industry tools such as AutoCAD, Visual Lighting ( or other lighting software), SKM, or ETAP is desirable. Experience with transit systemsincluding overhead catenary, traction power, and facility electrical systemsis a strong plus. Strong project management skills and the ability to coordinate across technical teams and stakeholders are essential.
This position may be filled at different levels depending on the candidates qualifications, experience, and business needs. Title and compensation will be commensurate with the selected candidates background.

Desired Skills:

• Proficiency in performing electrical engineering calculations, including: Short-circuit analysis, Voltage drop calculations, Breaker coordination studies.
• Working knowledge of relevant electrical codes and industry standards, such as: NEC (National Electrical Code), NFPA 70e (National Fire Protection Association),NETA (Inter National Electrical Testing Association),IEEE standards
• Ability to prepare comprehensive electrical design drawings, including conduit and panel schedules, riser diagrams, single-line diagrams, and related construction documentation.

Selected candidates with a Professional Engineer License will receive an additional 4%.
Associate Systems Design Engineer
Salary: $135,696.00 - $164, 882.00/ annually Definition Under direction, the Associate Systems Design Engineer performs responsible professional engineering work in the planning, design, and construction of a specialty area of rail systems, and performs associated contract management for the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA). Distinguishing Characteristics This is the journey-level class in the professional systems design engineer series. Associate Systems Design Engineers typically perform more difficult or complex engineering work, using independent judgment, and typically serve as the project lead. Incumbents in this position provide lead supervision to lower level engineering and technical staff on a project basis. The Associate Systems Design Engineer is distinguished from the next higher level of Senior Systems Design Engineer that the letter class has full supervisory responsibility over staff and consultants of a major unit or program. Assistant Systems Design Engineer Salary: $116,602.00 - $141,792.00/ annually Definition Under general supervision, the Assistant Systems Design Engineer performs professional engineering duties in connection with the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of transportation and facility systems. Distinguishing Characteristics This is the second level within the Systems Design Engineer series. Incumbents typically perform moderately complex engineering work and exercise some latitude of independent judgment. Incumbents at this level may be assigned specific projects with minimal supervision. An incumbent may direct the work of lower level engineers, technicians, and others assisting with specific project assignments. The Assistant Systems Design Engineer may occasionally lead smaller, short-term projects or studies of limited scope. This class is distinguished from the entry level class of Junior Systems Design Engineer in that incumbents in the latter class perform entry-level professional engineering duties under close supervision. This class is distinguished from the next higher class of Associate Systems Design Engineer in that the latter class is the journey-level in the series and incumbents typically serve as a project lead.
Application Details:
Classification Bargaining Unit: TAEA
Tentative Interview Dates: Week of July 7th, 2025.

Associate Systems Design Engineer
Typical Tasks

Performs professional engineering activities related to planning, design, and construction of one or more aspects of bus and rail systems, including traction power and overhead contact systems, signal systems, communication systems, trackwork, fare collection, security systems ,and other related systems;
Provides engineering and other technical expertise in the areas of specialty in development of conceptual design of rail systems;
Administers system aspects of procurement/construction contracts.
Monitors system construction activities to ensure compliance with contract, and assesses pricing issues with the contractors;
Prepares or directs the preparation of plans, specifications, reports, cost estimates, request for proposals and bid documents, and reviews bids for contract awards ;
Reviews documents prepared by subordinates, consultants, and other parties plans, specifications, and;
Makes preliminary designs and estimates for determining budgetary needs for construction and maintenance activities;
Prepares a variety of reports, technical papers, correspondence, other documents and materials required for assigned projects;
Represents VTA at technical meetings and before local citizens in public meetings and hearings; Reviews technical reports on system design submittals, reviews design submittals from contractors for contract compliance and recommends changes to existing planning and design criteria;
Reviews issues raised by operations and maintenance staff, evaluates associated data, analyzes all aspects, and recommends solutions;
Performs related duties as required.

Assistant Systems Design Engineer

Typical Tasks
Duties performed may vary depending on the area of assignment and within the working level.

• Performs drafting, engineering computations, and review of plans for transportation and facility systems and related projects, including traction power and overhead contact systems, signal systems, communications systems, track work, fare collection, security systems, and other related systems;
• Directs or coordinates field operations involved in gathering and compiling data for the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of transportation and facility systems;
• Assists in the review of design plans and contract specifications, engineering cost estimates, construction schedules, and engineering studies prepared by others;
• Prepares plans under supervision; provides engineering calculations to support planning and design of new transportation and facility systems or improvements to existing systems;
• Inspects construction projects or assists in inspections; conducts field tests; gathers samples of materials for laboratory testing;
• Writes engineering specifications;
• Makes cost and quantity estimates;
• Collects, computes, and compiles engineering data;
• Conducts research and prepares detailed engineering reports and other documents;
• Prepares and reviews Requests for Proposal (RFPs), contract compliance reports, and other reports and documents;
• Makes project presentations to technical staff;
• Performs related work as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Associate Systems Design Engineer
Employment Standards
Development of the required skills, knowledge and abilities is typically obtained through training and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with major work in engineering, plus four years of experience in the performance of professional engineering work in design, estimating, construction, and contract administration, with a strong emphasis in design, construction, and testing of rail transit and/or railroad systems.

Assistant Systems Design Engineer

Employment Standards Sufficient training, education, and public or private sector experience to demonstrate the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Development of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is typically obtained through a combination of training and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with major work in transportation engineering or electrical engineering; and two years of relevant engineering experience. Selected candidates with a Professional Engineer License will receive an additional 4%.

Associate Systems Design Engineer
Knowledge of:
Principles of one or more of the following bus and rail system aspects: traction power transmission, rectification, and distribution; overhead contact system; signal system logic and controls; communications (CTS, telephone, public address, SCADA), trackwork, security systems, and other related systems;
Principles and practices of scheduling and coordinating engineering work and project control;
Materials, methods, and principles used in the design and construction of rail systems;
Applicable local, State, and Federal codes and regulations governing transit-related design and construction;
Knowledge of C.P.U.C., NEMA, NEC, AREMA and similar codes governing transit systems design and construction;
Engineering theory and practical application of operating transit systems;
Specifications writing and estimating for rail systems projects;
Principles and practices of contract administration and construction management, construction inspection, and materials testing;
Software tools common to the field of engineering;
Safety practices in the construction industry.
Ability to:
Design traction power distribution, signals, communication systems, trackwork, or security systems;
Supervise systems tests for areas of specialty;
Design, check, sign, and stamp drawing and specification;
Assist in inspections to achieve compliance with contracts, construction plans, and specifications;
Prepare cost estimates for projects;
Review and prepare clear and concise correspondence, reports, specifications, and other documents;
Effectively represent VTA at technical meetings, and before local citizens in public meetings and hearing;
Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing;
Take initiative, reason logically, and be creative in developing and introducing new ideas;
Define problem areas and evaluate, recommend, and implement alternative solutions to issues and problems;
Establish cooperative relations with staff, contractors, community organizations, representatives of Federal, State, regional, and city agencies, and the general public.

Assistant Systems Design Engineer

Knowledge of:

• Communication, signal, contact, and other systems related to transportation system design and engineering;
• Principles and practices of engineering design of transportation systems and projects;
• Engineering mathematics;
• Engineering economics;
• Preparation and interpretation of contracts and technical specifications;
• Common engineering and drafting software tools (e.g. AutoCAD);
• Principles and practices of engineering drafting and mapping;
• Principles and practices of scheduling and coordinating engineering work;
• Basic principles of project management, construction inspection, and materials testing;
• Engineering theory and practical application to rail transit and related systems.

Ability to:

• Apply engineering principles and practices to independently solve engineering problems;
• Perform engineering work of average complexity in the planning and design of transportation facilities and projects;
• Interpret and prepare engineering drawings and specifications;
• Read and interpret real property descriptions;
• Conduct engineering studies and evaluations; write clear and concise technical reports;
• Make difficult engineering calculations quickly, neatly, and accurately;
• Maintain complete and accurate records;
• Operate personal computers and use common computer-aided drafting hardware and software;
• Analyze technical problems and make recommendations;
• Prepare RFPs and related documents;
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Whats in it for You?

Health: VTA participates in a CalPERS-sponsored medical plan with VTA contribution to employee and dependent premium health insurance premiums. Employees pay a monthly contribution of any amount in excess of the Kaiser Bay Area Family rate.

Flex Spending Account : $300 employer-funded Health FSA for eligible employees

Vision: VSP full premium for employees and eligible dependents

Dental: Delta Dental full premium for employees and eligible dependents

Leave : 17 days of vacation (accrued), 8 0 Hours of sick time (accrued) , 1 2 paid holidays per year, and 1 floating holiday per year.

Retirement:

- Participation in CalPERS

• Classic Members: 2%@ 55

• PEPRA Members: 2%@ 62

- 457 Deferred Compensation Plan (voluntary)

• 457 pre-tax

• 457 Roth

• Self-directed brokerage account option for qualifying employees

- Retiree medical coverage for eligible employees with VTA contributions to the retirees medical premium

Additional P erks :

- All active full-time employees and their eligible dependents are eligible for transit passes for use over VTA lines, including VTA Paratransit services.

- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available to each employee, eligible dependent, and household member, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

- Tuition Reimbursement

- Professional Development Fund

- Wellness Programs

As we continue to implement our VTA Forward Plan , we aim to strengthen and increase our workforce to take on future opportunities and challenges by elevating our people and our services.

For more information about our VTA Forward Plan, visit: style="color: inherit; font-style: normal; text-indent: 0"> General Instructions

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All related current and past work experience (including VTA experience) must be listed and fully described in the Work Experience section of the application ("See Resume" is not acceptable). Incomplete or improperly completed online applications may be rejected even if you are qualified for the position for which you are applying. It is your responsibility to ensure that the online application reflects the work experience and education needed to meet the requirements for the position you are applying for. Although your resume may have all your experience and education details, please make sure to complete each section of the online application to ensure that your information is accurately captured during our screening process.

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