Commuter Rail Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary range is $81k to $180k with a midpoint of $129k. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retirement Plans: 401a – 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b – up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• Pet Insurance discount.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Inclusive Reproductive Health Support Services.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you’ll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

General Purpose

Under the direction of the Commuter Rail Mechanical Manager, the Commuter Rail Mechanical Superintendent engages in mechanical operations of the Sounder system, positioned between the Manager of Commuter Rail Mechanical and the Commuter Rail Mechanical Specialist. The Superintendent supports fleet reliability, maintenance quality, mechanical performance improvement, and contractor oversight across the Sounder system, ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient operations. This role provides advanced mechanical expertise, leads technical assessments, and ensures compliance with Federal Railroad Administration, Association of American Railroads, American Public Transportation Authority, and other applicable state and local regulations. The Superintendent is responsible for performing all duties of the Mechanical Specialist in their absence and for supporting operational, contractual, and technical decision-making on behalf of the Manager when delegated or when the Manager is unavailable. 

Essential Functions

The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties as listed and may be required to perform additional, position specific duties.

• Conducts advanced inspections and audits of rolling stock, equipment, and maintenance activities to evaluate mechanical condition and ensure compliance with FRA, AAR, APTA, OEM, and contract requirements.
• Reviews contractor adherence to preventive maintenance, capital maintenance, warranty processes, quality control programs, and all regulations applicable to rolling stock.
• Oversees the identification, documentation, and resolution of mechanical defects, failures, and systemic trends.
• Assesses mechanical reliability issues and recommends corrective actions or equipment modifications.
• Performs all duties of the Commuter Rail Mechanical Specialist during absences, including inspections, audits, documentation, and contractor interface. 
• Serves as delegated lead for the Manager during absences or when assigned, providing operational guidance and technical decisionmaking.
• Supports review of mechanical projects, procurements, warranty cases, and modification programs. 
• Provides daytoday technical oversight of contracted equipment maintenance services, reviewing reports, sampling maintenance records, and verifying compliance with standards.
• Coordinates with the Manager on enforcement of contract performance requirements and warranty processes.
• Monitors contractor execution of maintenance plans, training programs, and corrective actions.
• Participates in planning, execution, and monitoring of mechanical projects, including modifications, overhauls, component upgrades, and system enhancements.
• Conducts technical analyses of mechanical failures, evaluates diagnostic trends, and supports reliabilitycentered maintenance.
• Recommends system improvements, maintenance changes, and engineering support needs.
• Prepares detailed audit findings, inspection reports, technical memoranda, and mechanical performance summaries.
• Monitors vehicle and facility maintenance records to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Supports FRA, APTA, and internal audits and safety reviews.
• Works closely with the Manager, Mechanical Specialist, Sounder Operations, contractors, and manufacturers on mechanical issues and maintenance planning.
• Coordinates with other Sounder disciplines as appropriate, including signals, track, and facilities.
• Required to be on call beyond a standard work day to support reliability of revenue operations.
• In the absence of the manager, performs duties of the Sounder Commuter Rail Duty officer; resolves problems regarding a variety of operational issues from weather to accidents and incidents; is on-call 24/7; serves as a first responder to any situation with Sounder such as a major derailment, vehicle accident, and serious injury. Responsible for securing event recorder download for Sounder rail incidents.
• Embraces agency values and prioritizes internal and cross-departmental collaboration to achieve successful outcomes for the assigned project and other agency initiatives.
• Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, priorities, and budgets for assigned projects, services, and functional area within the Division; and makes recommendations and forecasts for future funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies.
• Provides departmental support on assigned matters; may serve on working groups and committees; prepares and presents reports and correspondence; participates in professional and industry groups; monitors and integrates relevant trends and developments; and ensures consistent and effective application of policies and compliance with laws and regulations.
• Takes full accountability for ensuring compliance with Sound Transit policies and procedures and for delivering the project as a safe, secure, and reliable high-capacity transit system to ST Operations.
• Champions and models Sound Transit’s core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit’s Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree In Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial Engineering, Transportation Planning, or closely related field. Five years of experience in transportation industry standards and practices, performing safety inspections, contract administration and compliance, and project management experience in a rail setting; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Licenses and Certifications:

• Valid Washington state driver’s license. This role will support active stations and facilities. Driving an agency vehicle will be necessary to monitor the project and respond to emergent situations at any time of day, within assigned projects and project corridors.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Principles and practices regarding railroad operations including scheduling, train control, communications, capacity, and signalization.
• All applicable rules and regulations in the Railroad Section 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (49CFR), the General Code of Operating Rules (GCOR), and the Federal Railroad Administration Track Safety Standards Compliance Manual.
• Requirements and standards of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), APTA, the National Incident Management System (NIMS), BNSF Railway safety, and other pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as they apply to commuter rail operations.
• All aspects of railroad operations, locomotive engineer qualifications, locomotive operations and maintenance, passenger car operations and maintenance, and design skills for track and yard layout, and shop design and operation.
• Project and program management techniques, principles, development, and administration.
• Policy and procedure development.
• Positive customer service orientation with both internal and external clients.
• Principles and practices of governmental budget preparation and administration.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.
• Knowledge of track and signal and bridge maintenance inspection rules.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Techniques to work effectively under pressure, meet deadlines, and adjust to changing priorities.
• Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.
• Utilizing personal computer software programs affecting assigned work and in compiling and preparing spreadsheets and reports.
• Utilizing proper procedures and maintenance of records and files.
• Understanding and managing commuter rail operations, services, and maintenance in accordance with applicable requirements and laws.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups, and the general public.
• Interpreting and administering policies and procedures sufficient to administer, discuss, resolve, and explain them to staff and other constituencies.
• Responding to inquiries and in effective oral and written communication.
• Working cooperatively with other departments, agency officials, and outside agencie

Physical Demands / Work Environment  

• Work is performed in a standard office, field, shop, warehouse, and transit vehicles environments.
• Positions working in field may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, physical harm, hazardous chemicals, and/or extreme noise.
• Position includes 24-hour on call program and weekend/night shifts; position is responsible for providing executive operational decision making and incident support outside normal business hours.
• Position is required to inspect, handle and operate routine equipment, materials, and supplies on the field. May be subkect to bending, climbing, crawling, eye/hand coordination, grasping, hearing, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, repetitive motion, sitting, standing, talking, seeing, walking, and carrying and lifting up to 50 pounds.
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required. 

  
Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.