HDR
Traction Power and Overhead Contact Systems (TPS/OCS) Practice Leader
HDR, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States, 27601
Traction Power and Overhead Contact Systems (TPS/OCS) Practice Leader
Join to apply for the
Traction Power and Overhead Contact Systems (TPS/OCS)
role at
HDR .
Position Description As the technical leader for rail systems projects, you will focus on traction electrification and overhead contact systems (OCS) across a range of transit modes. Your role encompasses technical leadership, design management, and production. You will coordinate design packages, assemble plans and specifications, and provide construction support. The position supports projects throughout North America, ensuring client needs and contract requirements are met.
You will develop technical specifications, criteria, and drawings for AC and DC traction power systems, interfacing with train control, communications, rolling stock, and operations control centers. You will proactively lead tasks across technical groups and innovate solutions for complex challenges.
Responsibilities
Design electrification distribution for streetcar, electrified bus, light rail, heavy rail, commuter rail, and high‑speed rail projects operating on overhead contact or third rail systems.
Produce OCS design elements such as sectionalizing, equipment sizing, protection, SCADA and control‑center interface, system feeders and returns, traction power distribution, bonding, and grounding.
Mentor and develop staff in traction power and OCS design practices.
Manage client coordination, scoping, fee preparation, scheduling, budget tracking, and delivery of work products.
Lead project pursuits, client development, opportunity tracking, and proposal work.
Work from a home office with short‑term travel to cities where electrified transit systems are being installed or planned; long‑term field assignments may be required.
Skills and Additional Attributes
Technical competence with recognized rail specialization, solving problems of significant scope and complexity.
Established relationships with rail and transit clients across North America and active participation in technical committees in the electrification field.
Experience designing AC and DC traction power and distribution systems for streetcar, light rail, metro rail, commuter, and high‑speed rail.
Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate tasks and assignments for a group of professionals and technicians across multiple projects.
Past experience leading teams with direct client interface and complete project life‑cycle (design, installation, testing, and commissioning).
Leadership experience as a group leader or department head for TPS/OCS work is desirable.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field (Civil or Mechanical accepted).
Advanced degree preferred.
PE license required.
15+ years experience in railway electrification systems.
Industry standing and involvement in AREMA, APTA, IEEE technical committees.
Solid experience with electrification systems for intercity, commuter, heavy rail, light rail, streetcar, and electrified bus operations.
Experience designing and implementing AC/DC traction electrification and overhead contact and distribution systems.
Proficiency with CAD tools and ability to complete designs individually.
Excellent organizational and communication skills.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
10 years related experience.
Minimum 5 years project management experience.
Professional Engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the position location.
MS Office and MS Project experience (Access experience preferred).
Demonstrated leadership, business development, and strategic planning skills.
Commitment to HDR’s employee‑owned culture.
Primary Location United States – Pennsylvania – Philadelphia
Other Locations United States – Ohio – Cincinnati, United States – North Carolina – Charlotte, United States – Texas – Austin, United States – Washington – Bellevue, United States – Missouri – Kansas City, United States – Florida – Miami, United States – Massachusetts – Boston, United States – Colorado – Denver, United States – Minnesota – Saint Louis Park, United States – California – Sacramento, United States – Florida – Fort Lauderdale, United States – Tennessee – Nashville, United States – New Jersey – Newark, United States – New York – New York, United States – Maryland – Baltimore, United States – Utah – Salt Lake City, United States – District of Columbia – Washington DC, United States – Texas – Houston, United States – California – Irvine, Canada – Ontario – Toronto, United States – Hawaii – Honolulu, United States – Arizona – Phoenix, United States – California – San Francisco, United States – Georgia – Atlanta, United States – South Carolina – Charleston, United States – Virginia – Vienna, United States – Oregon – Portland, United States – Illinois – Chicago, United States – California – Los Angeles, United States – Minnesota – Minneapolis, United States – North Carolina – Raleigh, United States – Washington – Seattle, United States – Ohio – Cleveland, United States – Pennsylvania – Pittsburgh, United States – Texas – Dallas, United States – California – San Diego.
Industry Transit
Schedule Full‑time
Employee Status Regular
Business Class Rail and Transit Systems
Job Posting Date October 17, 2025
At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an affirmative action and equal‑opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.
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Traction Power and Overhead Contact Systems (TPS/OCS)
role at
HDR .
Position Description As the technical leader for rail systems projects, you will focus on traction electrification and overhead contact systems (OCS) across a range of transit modes. Your role encompasses technical leadership, design management, and production. You will coordinate design packages, assemble plans and specifications, and provide construction support. The position supports projects throughout North America, ensuring client needs and contract requirements are met.
You will develop technical specifications, criteria, and drawings for AC and DC traction power systems, interfacing with train control, communications, rolling stock, and operations control centers. You will proactively lead tasks across technical groups and innovate solutions for complex challenges.
Responsibilities
Design electrification distribution for streetcar, electrified bus, light rail, heavy rail, commuter rail, and high‑speed rail projects operating on overhead contact or third rail systems.
Produce OCS design elements such as sectionalizing, equipment sizing, protection, SCADA and control‑center interface, system feeders and returns, traction power distribution, bonding, and grounding.
Mentor and develop staff in traction power and OCS design practices.
Manage client coordination, scoping, fee preparation, scheduling, budget tracking, and delivery of work products.
Lead project pursuits, client development, opportunity tracking, and proposal work.
Work from a home office with short‑term travel to cities where electrified transit systems are being installed or planned; long‑term field assignments may be required.
Skills and Additional Attributes
Technical competence with recognized rail specialization, solving problems of significant scope and complexity.
Established relationships with rail and transit clients across North America and active participation in technical committees in the electrification field.
Experience designing AC and DC traction power and distribution systems for streetcar, light rail, metro rail, commuter, and high‑speed rail.
Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate tasks and assignments for a group of professionals and technicians across multiple projects.
Past experience leading teams with direct client interface and complete project life‑cycle (design, installation, testing, and commissioning).
Leadership experience as a group leader or department head for TPS/OCS work is desirable.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field (Civil or Mechanical accepted).
Advanced degree preferred.
PE license required.
15+ years experience in railway electrification systems.
Industry standing and involvement in AREMA, APTA, IEEE technical committees.
Solid experience with electrification systems for intercity, commuter, heavy rail, light rail, streetcar, and electrified bus operations.
Experience designing and implementing AC/DC traction electrification and overhead contact and distribution systems.
Proficiency with CAD tools and ability to complete designs individually.
Excellent organizational and communication skills.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
10 years related experience.
Minimum 5 years project management experience.
Professional Engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the position location.
MS Office and MS Project experience (Access experience preferred).
Demonstrated leadership, business development, and strategic planning skills.
Commitment to HDR’s employee‑owned culture.
Primary Location United States – Pennsylvania – Philadelphia
Other Locations United States – Ohio – Cincinnati, United States – North Carolina – Charlotte, United States – Texas – Austin, United States – Washington – Bellevue, United States – Missouri – Kansas City, United States – Florida – Miami, United States – Massachusetts – Boston, United States – Colorado – Denver, United States – Minnesota – Saint Louis Park, United States – California – Sacramento, United States – Florida – Fort Lauderdale, United States – Tennessee – Nashville, United States – New Jersey – Newark, United States – New York – New York, United States – Maryland – Baltimore, United States – Utah – Salt Lake City, United States – District of Columbia – Washington DC, United States – Texas – Houston, United States – California – Irvine, Canada – Ontario – Toronto, United States – Hawaii – Honolulu, United States – Arizona – Phoenix, United States – California – San Francisco, United States – Georgia – Atlanta, United States – South Carolina – Charleston, United States – Virginia – Vienna, United States – Oregon – Portland, United States – Illinois – Chicago, United States – California – Los Angeles, United States – Minnesota – Minneapolis, United States – North Carolina – Raleigh, United States – Washington – Seattle, United States – Ohio – Cleveland, United States – Pennsylvania – Pittsburgh, United States – Texas – Dallas, United States – California – San Diego.
Industry Transit
Schedule Full‑time
Employee Status Regular
Business Class Rail and Transit Systems
Job Posting Date October 17, 2025
At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an affirmative action and equal‑opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.
#J-18808-Ljbffr