Light Rail Maintenance Superintendent Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $180,048.44 - $218,870.86 Annually
Location : San Jose, CA 95134-1927, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2026-MLJ-20252
Division: Operations
Department: Transit Operations Administration
Opening Date: 09/02/2026
Closing Date: 9/9/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Job Description
VTA is looking for a Transportation Manager. The ideal candidate is a strategic, collaborative, forward-thinking leader with extensive experience overseeing public transit operations, including bus, light rail, service management, and field operations. The candidate should also possess a deep expertise in the areas of federal, state, and local laws pertaining to light rail and bus operations and communications. Bring your strategic leadership, transit expertise, and vision. Apply now!
The Division:
Under the direction of Naunihal Singh, Chief Operating Officer, the Operations Division operates, analyzes, maintains, and manages VTA's bus and rail transit system and facilities. It also oversees contracted shuttle and ADA paratransit services.
Operations consists of the Chief Operating Officer's Administrative unit - Operations Administration - as well as Bus & Rail Transit Operations, Bus & Rail Transit Maintenance, Operations Development, Special Event Service, Facilities Maintenance, Operations Analysis Reporting & Systems, and Regional Transportation Services.
Together, Operations comprises 14 functional units - Operations Administration; Bus & Rail Transit Operations; Service Management; Rail Maintenance; Bus Maintenance; Way, Power & Signal Maintenance; Facilities Maintenance; Maintenance Engineering; Warranty & Quality Assurance; Operations Development; Regional Transportation Services; and Operations Analysis, Reporting and Systems.
What you will be doing:
Definition
Under general direction, the Transportation Manager plans, organizes, directs and coordinates, and monitors assigned transportation operations programs and functions.
Distinguishing Characteristics
This classification is responsible for managing assigned transportation operations programs and functions across multiple operational areas, including service management and bus and rail transportation.
The incumbent provides operational leadership through the supervision of assigned staff and coordination across multiple operational areas and performs related duties as required.
Ideal Candidate:
The ideal candidate is a strategic, collaborative, forward-thinking leader with extensive experience overseeing public transit operations, including bus, light rail, service management, and field operations. The candidate should also possess a deep expertise in the areas of federal, state, and local laws pertaining to light rail and bus operations and communications.
The candidate must be comfortable working in fast-paced environments where collaboration, sound judgment, and strategic thinking are essential to successful service delivery. Should possess a proven track record of analyzing complex operational challenges and implementing innovative solutions in dynamic transit environments. Expertise in budget preparation, fiscal oversight, and resource allocation, ensuring cost effective operations while meeting organizational goals is also highly desirable.
They should be skilled in managing unionized workforces with documented success in supervising, training, motivating, and developing supervisory staff at multiple levels. They must also be able to navigate complex projects, competing priorities, and sensitive issues while maintaining productive partnerships with stakeholders across multiple departments.
About VTA
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority employs more than 2,000 people dedicated to providing solutions that move Silicon Valley. Unique among transportation organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area, VTA is Santa Clara County's authority for transit development and operations (light rail and bus), congestion management, transportation-related funding, highway design and construction, real estate and transit-oriented development, and bicycle and pedestrian planning. With local, state, and federal partners, VTA works to innovate the way Silicon Valley moves and provide mobility solutions for all.
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district that provides sustainable, accessible, community-focused transportation options that are innovative, environmentally responsible, and promote the vitality of our region.
VTA provides bus, light rail, and paratransit services, as well as participates as a funding partner in regional rail service including Caltrain, Capitol Corridor, and the Altamont Corridor Express.
As the county's , VTA is responsible for countywide transportation planning, including congestion management, design and construction of specific highway, pedestrian, and bicycle improvement projects, as well as promotion of transit oriented development.
VTA provides these services throughout the county, including Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga and Sunnyvale. VTA continually builds partnerships to deliver transportation solutions that meet the evolving mobility needs of Santa Clara County.
As we continue to implement our , we aim to strengthen and increase our workforce to take on future opportunities and challenges by elevating our people and our services.
For more information about our VTA Forward Plan, visit:
Family-Friendly Workplace Certification Program (FFWCP)
The County of Santa Clara FFWCP recognizes VTA as a business that creates supportive workplaces for employees and their families.
Family-friendly workplaces improve health outcomes and job satisfaction for employees and increase work productivity and retention for employers. Employers can create a family-friendly workplace by meeting and exceeding state and federal employment laws relating to parental leave, lactation accommodation, and work/family balance.
Essential Job Functions
Typical Tasks

• Plans, directs, coordinates, monitors assigned transportation operations programs and functions;
• Selects, supervises, trains, motivates, assigns, evaluates, counsels and disciplines staff;
• Develops and implements staffing plans to optimize the performance of each work unit within assigned areas of responsibility;
• Analyzes operations to improve productivity within work units;
• Develops, monitors, and manages the budget for area of responsibility;
• Assists with strategic planning; develops and implements long and short-term goals for assigned areas;
• Interprets and applies the provisions of labor agreements in accordance with VTA guidelines; may serve as a hearing officer;
• May oversee and manage the operations and maintenance training functions, including the development of new training programs and course content;
• Reviews, recommends, implements, and evaluates policies and procedures to ensure that unit activities are in accordance with VTA goals;
• Assures adherence to safety programs and performs ongoing evaluation of existing programs;
• May participate in the design review of engineering plans and specifications for VTA bus and rail transit construction projects;
• Prepares reports, correspondence, and other documents; reviews documents prepared by others;
• Ensures compliance with all VTA policies and procedures, including those regarding equal employment opportunity, discrimination, and harassment prevention;
• May represent VTA on transit industry boards and commissions;
• Performs related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Employment Standards
Sufficient education and increasingly responsible experience to demonstrate possession of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Development of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is typically obtained through a combination of training and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a four-year degree including major coursework in a technical, engineering, administrative, or related field, and, increasingly responsible supervisory and management experience managing a transit operations or maintenance program for a large mass transit organization.
Supplemental Information
Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of organization, administration, supervision, budgeting, and personnel management of a public transportation agency;
• Applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations governing public transportation systems;
• The goals, organization, and management practices of a large public transportation agency;
• Typical provisions found in public transit collective bargaining agreements;
• Industrial safety and general safety rules and regulations as applied to a public transportation system;
• Transportation activities and operations;
• Organizational development techniques and methods as related to curriculum development and training programs for all aspects of bus and light rail operators and maintenance personnel;
• Comprehensive, specific technical knowledge of the major functions within assigned areas of responsibility.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, coordinate, direct, control, and manage the assigned areas of responsibility;
• Oversee subordinate managers and supervisors and delegate and/or monitor activities to ensure smooth operations;
• Supervise, train, evaluate, counsel, discipline, and motivate staff in a collective bargaining environment;
• Prepare and control a budget;
• Interpret and apply laws, rules, regulations, and labor contract provisions;
• Oversee and manage bus and light rail operations and maintenance training programs;
• Plan for near and long-term bus and/or rail expansion and system modifications;
• Manage the development of service and operating plans;
• Plan, organize, direct, implement, and evaluate vehicle maintenance programs;
• Prepare, interpret, and effectively utilize management information reports;
• Analyze problems and recommend and/or implement effective solutions to difficult and politically sensitive problems;
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Working Environment/Conditions and Physical Demands
Exposure to weather, mechanical, electrical, high voltage, and other physical hazards often. Tasks may be performed in nighttime conditions as assigned
May process safety or security event scenes
Outdoor environment - Occasionally
Work Environment and Physical Effort:
Good Conditions
Primarily Medium Work
Work Locations:
Office or similar indoor environment - Frequently
Outdoor environment - Occasionally
Vehicle and field locations - Occasionally
Exposures:
Minimal exposure to environmental factors
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Pro Disabled and Veteran Employer. We welcome differences in the form of gender, race, ethnicity, disability, geography, socioeconomic status, age, politics, religion, philosophy, sexual orientation, or gender identity. All applicants who share this goal are encouraged to apply.
General Application Instructions
Please read this job announcement in its entirety before applying. We recommend printing or saving a copy for future reference.
To be considered, applications must be submitted online through the Human Resources department by the posted deadline. If the job posting is listed as "continuous," we encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as the posting may close without prior notice. Once your application is submitted, you will receive an immediate email confirmation.
Personalized responses to Supplemental Questions that connect your past experiences to this specific role are the most effective. AI-generated content may lack the specificity required to address the key criteria outlined in the job description. While we encourage the use of AI as a tool to enhance your work, we want to evaluate your non-AI-assisted communication skills. You may use AI to generate ideas, but please ensure your final responses are in your own voice and reflect your unique experience. Overreliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish your chances of success.
Important:Only online applications will be accepted for this recruitment. We do not accept paper applications, resumes, Job Interest Notification Cards, or incomplete/unsubmitted applications in place of a fully completed application.
Communication & Contact Information
All updates regarding your application-including notices for testing and interviews-will be sent via email. Be sure to select email as your preferred method of communication and maintain a valid, up-to-date email address. Applicants are also responsible for keeping their phone numbers and mailing addresses current in their online profiles.
Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to provide individual updates. Please check your application status through your online account. For technical support, contact NEOGOV at (855) 524-5627, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (PST), excluding holidays.
Application Review & Processing
Allcurrent and prior relevant work experience-including experience with VTA-must be fully detailedin the Work Experience section of your application. Entries such as "see resume" are not acceptable. Incomplete or improperly completed applications may be rejected, even if you meet the minimum qualifications.
While you are welcome to upload a resume, it doesnot substitutefor completing the online application in full.