Senior Vehicle Systems Engineer

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Ride BART to a satisfying career that lets you both: 1) make a difference to Bay Area residents, and 2) enjoy excellent pay, benefits, and employment stability. BART is looking for people who like to be challenged, work in a fast-paced environment, and have a passion for connecting riders to work, school and other places they need to go. BART offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, paid time off, and the CalPERS retirement program.

Conditions of Employment

All San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. You will be required to show proof of your completed COVID-19 vaccination prior to receiving a final offer, unless you receive a COVID-19 Vaccination reasonable accommodation due to a medical condition or a religious exemption due to an approved sincerely held religious belief that prohibits you from receiving a vaccine. BART will review requests for a reasonable accommodation or religious exemption on a case-by-case basis. Documentation may be required.

Pay Rate

$113,621.00 / annually (Minimum) to $172,136.00 / annually (Maximum) - (Non-Represented Pay Band 7) The initial salary offer will be between $113,621.00 - $156,622.86, to commensurate with experience.

Closing Date

Reports To

Manager of Vehicle Systems Engineer or designee.

Days Off

Saturday and Sunday.

Who May Apply

All current BART employees and qualified individuals who are not yet BART employees.

Current Assignment

This announcement will be used to establish a pool of eligible candidates for vacancies that may occur within the next twelve (12) months.

The Senior Vehicle Systems Engineer (SVSE) will be responsible for solving more complex and difficult engineering problems. They will participate in the repair, overhaul, testing and evaluation of transit vehicles’ electrical, mechanical, electromechanical systems, software-controlled systems, TCMS, VATC, HVAC, friction brake, propulsion, diagnostic and special testing tools, and other components. Positions at this level possess a specialized, technical, or functional expertise and may exercise independent judgment in the performance of all duties. The incumbent may perform other duties such as witness testing, documentation review, supporting shops as assigned by their manager.

The selected candidates could be assigned to positions in the Vehicle Systems Engineering group or the Communications-Based Train Control group.

Ideal candidate for the Vehicle Systems Engineering (VSE) group:

The ideal candidate would have a degree in Electrical, Electronics or Computer-related Engineering with 3 years’ experience in systems engineering. They will demonstrate high competency in writing reports and technical procedures. They will be comfortable working in a shop environment. The ideal candidate will have the ability to express ideas and suggestions, influence without authority, and can seek solutions to challenges. In addition, he or she will have experience with time-sensitive projects, the ability to express ideas and suggestions, influence without authority, and strong problem-solving skills.

Ideal candidate for the Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) group:

The ideal candidate would have a degree in Electrical, Electronics or Computer-related Engineering with 3 years’ experience in systems engineering including train control modernization project experience. The BART Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) makes use of the telecommunications between the train and trackside equipment for traffic management and infrastructure control. They will be comfortable working in a shop environment. The ideal candidate will have the ability to express ideas and suggestions, influence without authority, and can seek solutions to challenges. In addition, he or she will have experience with time-sensitive projects, the ability to express ideas and suggestions, influence without authority, and strong problem-solving skills.

Essential Job Functions:

• Responsible for the more difficult and complex repair, overhaul, evaluation, and reliability of District transit vehicles including electrical, mechanical and electro-mechanical systems and components; investigates and determines the cause of major transit vehicle equipment failures.
• Develops and prepares technical specifications for new and rebuilt transit vehicles and components; oversees the testing and quality assurance of supplier materials.
• Provides technical support to the shops to ensure that the District’s revenue fleet’s HVAC systems are operational.
• Designs and specifies special testing and servicing equipment to troubleshoot and maintain various transit vehicle subsystems.
• Reviews assigned engineering drawings and documents; ensures contract compliance, the use of proper engineering methods and compatibility with other systems.
• Attends design review meetings and presents the District's position on new and rebuilt transit vehicle issues.
• Defines quality assurance criteria and inspection procedures for maintenance and repair of transit vehicles; audits maintenance staff to ensure compliance with standards.
• Determines District requirements for electrical and electro-mechanical subsystems; researches industry standards and incorporates into specifications as applicable.
• Analyzes complex vehicle equipment failures; develops, implements and documents resulting maintenance procedures and equipment design changes.
• Identifies and resolves transit vehicle project issues; resolves or refers to appropriate division.
• Trains assigned employees in their areas of work including vehicle systems engineering methods, procedures and techniques.
• Operates a variety of mechanical equipment in a safe and effective manner including electrical, mechanical and electro-mechanical test equipment.
• Reviews and approves/rejects drawings and other technical submittals from car builder for new D and E-car trains.
• Prepares a variety of analytical and statistical reports on program operations and activities.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Three (3) years of (full-time equivalent) professional verifiable experience in electromechanical engineering, maintenance or related experience.

Other Requirements: Successful completion of the Engineer-In-Training exam for California is desirable.

Substitution: Additional experience as outlined above may be substituted for the education on a year-for-year basis. A college degree is preferred.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Operations, services and activities of a comprehensive transit vehicle engineering program
• Key suppliers and sub-suppliers to the rail and transit industries
• Design principles and practices for rail and transit vehicles
• Principles of leadership and training
• Advanced principles and practices of mechanical or electrical engineering as may relate to transit vehicles
• Transit vehicle electrical and mechanical equipment and subsystems
• Operational characteristics of transit vehicles, systems and components
• Design and repair specifications for new and rebuilt transit vehicles and components
• Advanced principles and practices of engineering specification preparation and review
• Computers and applications utilized in transit vehicle diagnostics
• Operational characteristics of various mechanical testing equipment and tools
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices
• Related Federal, State and local codes, laws and regulations

Skill/Ability in:

• Independently performing the most difficult transit vehicle inspection, maintenance and repair engineering duties
• Interpreting, explaining and enforcing department policies and procedures
• Preparing design and maintenance specifications and drawings
• Operating a variety of mechanical, electrical and electronic testing equipment in a safe and effective manner
• Analyzing complex vehicle equipment failures and developing equipment design changes
• Reviewing engineering drawings and ensuring compliance with contract guidelines
• Evaluating and resolving complex transit vehicle engineering problems
• Preparing a variety of complex engineering drawings, specifications and reports
• Defining quality assurance criteria and inspection procedures for maintenance and repair of transit vehicles
• Organization and time management
• Understanding and following oral and written instructions
• Communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work

Working Conditions

Environmental Conditions: Shop environment; high voltage noise, dust, grease, smoke, fumes, gases; office environment.

Physical Conditions: May require maintaining physical condition necessary for walking, standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time; operating motorized equipment and vehicles; working or inspecting in confined spaces; working around heavy construction equipment; must be physically able to conduct field inspections and testing as assigned.

Selection Process

Applications will be screened to assure that minimum qualifications are met. Those applicants who meet minimum qualifications will then be referred to the hiring department for the completion of further selection processes. The selection process for this position may include a skills/performance demonstration, a written examination, and a panel and/or individual interview. The successful candidate must have an employment history demonstrating reliability and dependability; provide copies of certificates, diplomas or other documents as required by law, including those establishing his/her right to work in the U.S.; pass a pre-employment medical examination which may include a drug and alcohol screen, and which is specific to the essential job functions and requirements. Pre-employment processing will also include a background check. (Does not apply to current full-time District employees unless specific job requires additional evaluations).

Application Process

External applicants may only apply online, at Applicants needing assistance with the online application process may receive additional information by calling (510) 464-6112. Current employees are strongly encouraged to apply online, either at or on WebBART. All applicants are asked to complete the application in full, indicating dates of employment, all positions held, hours worked, and a full description of duties. Online applicants are invited to electronically attach a resume to the application form to provide supplemental information, but should not consider the resume a substitute for the application form itself. Applications must be complete by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement.

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age(40 and above), religion, national origin (including language use restrictions), disability (mental and physical, including HIV and AIDS), ancestry, marital status, military status, veteran status, medical condition(cancer/genetic characteristics and information), or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws. The BART Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities or for religious reasons. Please advise the Human Resources Department of any special needs in advance of the examination by emailing at least 5 days before your examination date at

Qualified veterans may be eligible to obtain