HDR
Traction Power and Overhead Contact Systems (TPS/OCS) Practice Leader
HDR, Houston, Texas, United States, 77246
Traction Power and Overhead Contact Systems (TPS/OCS) Practice Leader
At HDR, our employee‑owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world? Watch Our Story: https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story
Position Description The primary duties of the Traction Power and Overhead Contact Systems (TPS/OCS) Practice Leader involve technical leadership for rail systems projects pertaining to traction electrification and overhead contact systems (OCS) and other distribution systems. Specific responsibilities include technical leadership, design management, design production, lead on specific design packages, and coordination of plans and specifications with construction support. This role supports various rail and transit projects throughout North America to meet client needs.
The successful candidate will have experience developing technical specifications, criteria, and drawings for AC and DC traction power systems and the interfaces to train control, communications, rolling stock, operations control centers, and other rail system elements. The candidate will proactively lead tasks between technical groups and demonstrate innovative problem‑solving for complex challenges.
Responsibilities
Project work includes electrification distribution design for Streetcar, Electrified Bus, Light Rail, Heavy Rail, Commuter Rail, and High Speed Rail projects operating on Overhead Contact or Third Rail systems.
Design work includes OCS design, sectionalizing, equipment sizing and protection, SCADA and control center interface, system feeders and returns, traction power distribution systems, bonding and grounding, etc.
Mentoring and development of staff in traction power and OCS design practices.
Project management work: client needs coordination, scoping, fee preparation, scheduling, budget tracking, and delivery of work products.
Project pursuits, client development, opportunity tracking, and proposal work.
Work location includes both Home Office and short‑term travel to cities installing or planning electrified transit systems. Long‑term field assignments may also be available.
Skills and Attributes
Technically competent with recognized rail specialization that resolves significant scope and complexity.
Industry standing in technical committees in the electrification field, with established relationships with rail and transit clients throughout North America.
Experience designing AC and DC traction power and distribution systems for trolley, streetcar, light rail, metro rail, commuter, and high‑speed rail systems.
Lead planning, organization, and coordination of tasks and assignments for a group of professionals across multiple projects.
Past experience leading teams with direct client interface and complete project life‑cycle (design, installation, testing, and commissioning).
Experience as a group leader or Department Head for TPS/OCS work for an agency or consultant is desirable.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field (Civil or Mechanical Engineering).
Advanced degree preferred.
PE license required.
15+ years of 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.
AC/DC traction electrification, overhead contact and distribution system design and implementation required.
Experience with CAD tools and ability to complete designs individually.
Excellent organizational and communication skills.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
10 years of related experience.
Minimum 5 years of project management experience.
Professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position.
MS Office and MS Project experience (Access experience is a plus).
Demonstrated leadership, business development, and strategic planning skills.
Commitment to being an active participant of HDR’s employee‑owned culture.
Benefits HDR provides a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, health, performance, and success. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, short‑ and long‑term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus, and tuition reimbursement.
Locations 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.
Position Details Industry: Transit Schedule: Full‑time Employee Status: Regular Business Class: Rail and Transit Systems Job Posting Date: Oct 17, 2025
Equal Opportunity Statement 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 history, arrest, or conviction records.
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Position Description The primary duties of the Traction Power and Overhead Contact Systems (TPS/OCS) Practice Leader involve technical leadership for rail systems projects pertaining to traction electrification and overhead contact systems (OCS) and other distribution systems. Specific responsibilities include technical leadership, design management, design production, lead on specific design packages, and coordination of plans and specifications with construction support. This role supports various rail and transit projects throughout North America to meet client needs.
The successful candidate will have experience developing technical specifications, criteria, and drawings for AC and DC traction power systems and the interfaces to train control, communications, rolling stock, operations control centers, and other rail system elements. The candidate will proactively lead tasks between technical groups and demonstrate innovative problem‑solving for complex challenges.
Responsibilities
Project work includes electrification distribution design for Streetcar, Electrified Bus, Light Rail, Heavy Rail, Commuter Rail, and High Speed Rail projects operating on Overhead Contact or Third Rail systems.
Design work includes OCS design, sectionalizing, equipment sizing and protection, SCADA and control center interface, system feeders and returns, traction power distribution systems, bonding and grounding, etc.
Mentoring and development of staff in traction power and OCS design practices.
Project management work: client needs coordination, scoping, fee preparation, scheduling, budget tracking, and delivery of work products.
Project pursuits, client development, opportunity tracking, and proposal work.
Work location includes both Home Office and short‑term travel to cities installing or planning electrified transit systems. Long‑term field assignments may also be available.
Skills and Attributes
Technically competent with recognized rail specialization that resolves significant scope and complexity.
Industry standing in technical committees in the electrification field, with established relationships with rail and transit clients throughout North America.
Experience designing AC and DC traction power and distribution systems for trolley, streetcar, light rail, metro rail, commuter, and high‑speed rail systems.
Lead planning, organization, and coordination of tasks and assignments for a group of professionals across multiple projects.
Past experience leading teams with direct client interface and complete project life‑cycle (design, installation, testing, and commissioning).
Experience as a group leader or Department Head for TPS/OCS work for an agency or consultant is desirable.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field (Civil or Mechanical Engineering).
Advanced degree preferred.
PE license required.
15+ years of 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.
AC/DC traction electrification, overhead contact and distribution system design and implementation required.
Experience with CAD tools and ability to complete designs individually.
Excellent organizational and communication skills.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
10 years of related experience.
Minimum 5 years of project management experience.
Professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position.
MS Office and MS Project experience (Access experience is a plus).
Demonstrated leadership, business development, and strategic planning skills.
Commitment to being an active participant of HDR’s employee‑owned culture.
Benefits HDR provides a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, health, performance, and success. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, short‑ and long‑term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus, and tuition reimbursement.
Locations 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.
Position Details Industry: Transit Schedule: Full‑time Employee Status: Regular Business Class: Rail and Transit Systems Job Posting Date: Oct 17, 2025
Equal Opportunity Statement 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 history, arrest, or conviction records.
#J-18808-Ljbffr