Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (CA)
SENIOR DIRECTOR, VEHICLE ENGINEERING & ACQUISITION (RAIL VEHICLE ACQUISITION)
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (CA), Los Angeles, California, United States, 90079
Directs the activities for Rail Vehicle Engineering group in support of the State of Good Repair of all rail lines, which includes equipment specification development, contracts management and support, equipment testing and qualification, component design review, mainline support of new line activation, and support of new/replacement vehicle acquisitions and other capital projects in order to deliver safe, efficient, and reliable rail operations for the agency.
Recruitment Timeline Interviews are projected to be scheduled for the week of
November 10
2025. This date is subject to change. We encourage you to monitor your governmentjobs.com profile and emails for the latest updates.
Develops, implements, and directs policies, programs, and standards for rail vehicle engineering, component acquisition, and equipment overhaul
Ensures rail fleet safety and reliability
Leads teams of engineers in support of rail fleet maintenance
Proactively troubleshoots complex technical problems
Interfaces with other departments and vendors to resolve rail vehicle, equipment engineering, and other issues which impact rail operations
Designs and develops component overhaul programs
Develops technical component specifications
Supports Rail Fleet Services, MOW (Maintenance of Way), Construction Engineering, Vehicle Acquisitions, and other Metro groups
Manages various large, complex capital projects
Establishes and monitors long‑range goals, budgets, and strategies; directs resource allocations
Analyzes federal, state, and local regulations and legislation to determine impact on rail transportation services
Coordinated with rail construction staff on the planning, design, and startup of new rail systems; provides input on design and design criteria from an operations perspective
Represents department at Metro meetings and inter‑agency committees
Prepares and presents rail service and policy issues and recommendations to executive management and the Board of Directors; directs the preparation of supporting research
Introduces new technologies into running fleets
Responsible for new vendor qualification testing and validation
Manages assigned staff and teams
Supports and promotes training opportunities and diversity among team
May be required to perform other related job duties.
A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Additional experience, as outlined below, may be substituted for required education on a year‑for‑year basis. A typical combination includes:
Education
Bachelor's Degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline
Experience
Five years of relevant management‑level experience overseeing the procurement, overhaul, systems, maintenance operations, and rail vehicle and equipment engineering activities within a transit operations environment
Certifications/Licenses/Special Requirements
A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job‑related essential functions
Professional Engineer License preferred
Preferred Qualifications Preferred Qualifications (PQs) are used to identify relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities as determined by business necessity. These criteria are considered preferred qualifications and are not intended to serve as minimum requirements for the position. PQs will help support selection decisions throughout the recruitment. In addition, applicants who possess these PQs will not automatically be selected.
Experience collaborating on rail capital projects with external stakeholders
Experience preparing and presenting board reports
Experience soliciting and managing qualifying consulting staff & rail vehicle contractors
Experience developing and monitoring scopes of work, schedules, and budgets for rail vehicle projects
Experience managing rail vehicle contractors on new rail vehicle procurement or overhaul project
Knowledge of defined as a learned body of information that is required for and applied in the performance of job tasks
Theories, principles, and practices of electrical and mechanical engineering, maintenance, and component functions of rail vehicles, equipment, and systems
Rail car design, construction, testing, and commissioning
Propulsion, ATP/ATC (automatic train protection/automatic train control), friction brake, rail door, auxiliary power, and onboard car control systems design
Truck and rotating machinery design, such as traction motors, gear boxes, couplers, etc.
Rail operations and Right of Way (wayside) systems
Technical specifications development
Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations governing public transportation systems
Manufacturing and production techniques, processes, and methods, including quality control of rail vehicles, equipment, and systems
Theories, principles, and practices of project management, budgeting, contract administration, and planning
Computer software, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Modern management theory
Skill in defined as the proficient manual, verbal, or mental utilization of data, people, or things
Electrical and mechanical system control theory and principals
Propulsion systems design, automatic train control, automatic train protection, and friction brake systems interfaces
Analyzing complex data and situations, identifying problems, recommending solutions, and evaluating outcomes
Troubleshooting complex electrical and control problems that involve the vehicles and wayside systems
Communicating effectively orally and in writing
Interacting professionally with various levels of staff (internal and external) up to the COO (Chief Operations Officer) level
Exercising sound judgement and fiscal responsibility when making decisions under high impact situations
Ability to defined as a present competence to perform an observable behavior or produce an observable result
Meet precision, technical, and specification requirements
Understand how decisions will impact all Operations departments, other agency departments (e.g., Vendor‑Contract Management (VCM), OMB (Office of Management and Budget), etc.) and Metro stakeholders
Prepare accurate and comprehensive reports and correspondence
Determine strategies to achieve goals
Establish and implement policies and procedures
Understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, budgets, and labor/management agreements
Manage and mentor technical teams, manage consultants, assign work, and manage capital projects.
Maintain confidentiality at all times
Represent the agency at conferences and before the public
Mediate and negotiate
Work independently
Travel to vendor sites
Read, write, speak, and understand English
Special Conditions
This job specification is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements
The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job
Metro provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
This classification is at‑will and the incumbent serves at the pleasure of the hiring authority
Contributes to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and programs of Metro are carried out
Working Conditions
Typical office situation
Close exposure to computer monitors and video screen
Extensive safety training and/or use of protective devices and personal protective gear
Physical Effort Required
Sitting at a desk or table
Operate a telephone or other telecommunications device and communicate through the medium
Type and use a keyboard and mouse to perform necessary computer‑based functions
Communicating through speech in the English language required
Good distance vision and/or depth perception to judge distances
Color recognition (e.g., distinguishing wires, resistors, containers, light signals, etc.)
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Recruitment Timeline Interviews are projected to be scheduled for the week of
November 10
2025. This date is subject to change. We encourage you to monitor your governmentjobs.com profile and emails for the latest updates.
Develops, implements, and directs policies, programs, and standards for rail vehicle engineering, component acquisition, and equipment overhaul
Ensures rail fleet safety and reliability
Leads teams of engineers in support of rail fleet maintenance
Proactively troubleshoots complex technical problems
Interfaces with other departments and vendors to resolve rail vehicle, equipment engineering, and other issues which impact rail operations
Designs and develops component overhaul programs
Develops technical component specifications
Supports Rail Fleet Services, MOW (Maintenance of Way), Construction Engineering, Vehicle Acquisitions, and other Metro groups
Manages various large, complex capital projects
Establishes and monitors long‑range goals, budgets, and strategies; directs resource allocations
Analyzes federal, state, and local regulations and legislation to determine impact on rail transportation services
Coordinated with rail construction staff on the planning, design, and startup of new rail systems; provides input on design and design criteria from an operations perspective
Represents department at Metro meetings and inter‑agency committees
Prepares and presents rail service and policy issues and recommendations to executive management and the Board of Directors; directs the preparation of supporting research
Introduces new technologies into running fleets
Responsible for new vendor qualification testing and validation
Manages assigned staff and teams
Supports and promotes training opportunities and diversity among team
May be required to perform other related job duties.
A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Additional experience, as outlined below, may be substituted for required education on a year‑for‑year basis. A typical combination includes:
Education
Bachelor's Degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline
Experience
Five years of relevant management‑level experience overseeing the procurement, overhaul, systems, maintenance operations, and rail vehicle and equipment engineering activities within a transit operations environment
Certifications/Licenses/Special Requirements
A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job‑related essential functions
Professional Engineer License preferred
Preferred Qualifications Preferred Qualifications (PQs) are used to identify relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities as determined by business necessity. These criteria are considered preferred qualifications and are not intended to serve as minimum requirements for the position. PQs will help support selection decisions throughout the recruitment. In addition, applicants who possess these PQs will not automatically be selected.
Experience collaborating on rail capital projects with external stakeholders
Experience preparing and presenting board reports
Experience soliciting and managing qualifying consulting staff & rail vehicle contractors
Experience developing and monitoring scopes of work, schedules, and budgets for rail vehicle projects
Experience managing rail vehicle contractors on new rail vehicle procurement or overhaul project
Knowledge of defined as a learned body of information that is required for and applied in the performance of job tasks
Theories, principles, and practices of electrical and mechanical engineering, maintenance, and component functions of rail vehicles, equipment, and systems
Rail car design, construction, testing, and commissioning
Propulsion, ATP/ATC (automatic train protection/automatic train control), friction brake, rail door, auxiliary power, and onboard car control systems design
Truck and rotating machinery design, such as traction motors, gear boxes, couplers, etc.
Rail operations and Right of Way (wayside) systems
Technical specifications development
Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations governing public transportation systems
Manufacturing and production techniques, processes, and methods, including quality control of rail vehicles, equipment, and systems
Theories, principles, and practices of project management, budgeting, contract administration, and planning
Computer software, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Modern management theory
Skill in defined as the proficient manual, verbal, or mental utilization of data, people, or things
Electrical and mechanical system control theory and principals
Propulsion systems design, automatic train control, automatic train protection, and friction brake systems interfaces
Analyzing complex data and situations, identifying problems, recommending solutions, and evaluating outcomes
Troubleshooting complex electrical and control problems that involve the vehicles and wayside systems
Communicating effectively orally and in writing
Interacting professionally with various levels of staff (internal and external) up to the COO (Chief Operations Officer) level
Exercising sound judgement and fiscal responsibility when making decisions under high impact situations
Ability to defined as a present competence to perform an observable behavior or produce an observable result
Meet precision, technical, and specification requirements
Understand how decisions will impact all Operations departments, other agency departments (e.g., Vendor‑Contract Management (VCM), OMB (Office of Management and Budget), etc.) and Metro stakeholders
Prepare accurate and comprehensive reports and correspondence
Determine strategies to achieve goals
Establish and implement policies and procedures
Understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, budgets, and labor/management agreements
Manage and mentor technical teams, manage consultants, assign work, and manage capital projects.
Maintain confidentiality at all times
Represent the agency at conferences and before the public
Mediate and negotiate
Work independently
Travel to vendor sites
Read, write, speak, and understand English
Special Conditions
This job specification is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements
The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job
Metro provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
This classification is at‑will and the incumbent serves at the pleasure of the hiring authority
Contributes to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and programs of Metro are carried out
Working Conditions
Typical office situation
Close exposure to computer monitors and video screen
Extensive safety training and/or use of protective devices and personal protective gear
Physical Effort Required
Sitting at a desk or table
Operate a telephone or other telecommunications device and communicate through the medium
Type and use a keyboard and mouse to perform necessary computer‑based functions
Communicating through speech in the English language required
Good distance vision and/or depth perception to judge distances
Color recognition (e.g., distinguishing wires, resistors, containers, light signals, etc.)
#J-18808-Ljbffr