Light Rail Systems Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary range is $21.63/hour to $64.42/hour with a midpoint of $42.31/hour. 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.
• 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.

This posting may be used to fill multiple positions.

GENERAL PURPOSE: 

The responsibility of this classification includes independently performing - under general supervision - skilled electrical/electronic and mechanical work to diagnose, maintain, repair, rebuild, overhaul, service, inspect light rail vehicles (LRVs) and equipment and their electronic systems; he/she also performs testing and repair of communications systems, surveillance equipment, and other related equipment. 

The Light Rail Systems Maintenance Technician will have ability to comprehend the skilled technical duties involved in performing inspections, preventative and corrective maintenance, and troubleshooting on all mechanical systems for the wayside and LRVs in area of assignment; ensures all LRVs and related equipment on the right-of-way are safe and ready at all times; responsible for all repairs, modifications, and rebuilding of LRV systems and components, inspection, maintenance, and repair including making repairs to light rail vehicles and their systems; adjusts motors, generators, brake systems, and related components; inspects, diagnoses, and repairs a variety of systems associated with light rail vehicles including LRV signals, tracks and switch machines, overhead contact system, traction power substations, and a variety of shop tools and equipment. Services and performs preventive maintenance duties on equipment. Install, troubleshoot, repair, maintain and perform scheduled maintenance on the LRVs and subsystems to include but not limited to the overhead contact system, traction power substations, signals and switches, tracks and right-of-way, Operations and Maintenance (O&M) facilities, and other various infrastructures.

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 listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Experience in the application of mechanical and electrical principles, repair methods, standards and practices found in a journey level skilled trades position.
• Performs light rail vehicle preventative maintenance as scheduled or required on a regular basis; performs daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual maintenance on all systems including 3-phase inverters, battery chargers, closed-circuit television (CCTV) system, high-speed circuit breakers, doors, brakes, carbody, lights and warning systems, bridge plates, propulsion systems, hydraulics, and locomotion.
• Inspects and/or performs corrective maintenance and troubleshooting daily on all systems pertaining to Skoda & Brookville light rail vehicles.  Documents maintenance and repairs/adjustments for tracking and compliance purposes.
• Skill in AC/DC systems, operating principles of analog and digital electronics, electronic control circuitry and associated mechanical systems, Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system, lighting, motors, brakes, and related systems.
• Skill in the use of operating portable test equipment, bench type workstations, tools, parts, and supply manuals needed in the repair, maintenance, and installation of electrical, electronic, and mechanical systems and equipment.
• Skill in reading and interpreting schematics, maintenance manuals, technical information in repair manuals, service change bulletins, parts and supply manuals, and specifications.
• Heavy overhaul includes traction motors, gearboxes, control groups, trucks, door mechanisms, brake actuators, air compressors, and HVAC systems.
• Maintains Overhead Contact System (OCS); maintain light rail overhead lines and associated components, underground feeders, switches, electrical wiring, including a variety of single phase, three phase and DC systems.
• Performs routine inspection, maintenance, repair, and upgrades to OCS components such as messenger wire, contact wire, section insulators, pole and enclosure mounted switches, air gaps, insulated and un-insulated overlaps, poles, and associated equipment.
• Performs inspections, maintenance and upgrades of substations and their components such as switches, transformers, rectifiers, fuses, relays, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), batteries, chargers, and associated equipment (including the LRV shop stinger system).
• Ability to safely use multiple electrical test equipment including digital multimeter, digital low-resistance ohm meter, insulation tester, high-pot tester, and safely grounding out electrical equipment.
• Performs high voltage hot-line work; maintain and repair low voltage systems such as fire and security alarms; transfer switches and uninterruptible power supplies; perform high voltage tests on power cables and equipment; splice, maintain and terminate all types of low and high voltage cable; pull, rack and secure high and low voltage cables in manholes, conduits, tunnels, and vaults.
• Reads and understands blueprints, schematics and drawings for maintenance and troubleshooting.
• Programs and troubleshoots PC, PLC, and micro-processor-based control systems.
• Manually operates power switches and breakers under the direction of the Operations Control Center.
• Ability to wear personal protective equipment including required fire-retardant clothing and working in arc flash protection suits.
• Trims trees and other vegetation which may interfere with train movement or electrical installations.
• Sets up work zone traffic control areas; flag trackway to provide safe rail work zones.
• Conducts component and system fault diagnosis, inspection, testing, modification, maintenance and repair of assigned equipment and systems. Inspect, repair, and maintain equipment and components such as track, track boot, concrete panels, track switches, track fixation, crossovers, track frogs, drainage structures, fencing, and associated equipment and components.
• Responds to emergency situations. Prioritize and determine work priorities for emergency maintenance tasks in the absence of on-site supervision.
• Operates switch machines under revenue and non-revenue conditions.
• Operates common and specialized tools and equipment to perform inspection, maintenance, and repair tasks.
• Performs welding repair of track components to the AWS 15.2 standard
• Knowledge of codes and compliance requirements for light rail or streetcar track
• Conducts oversight and inspection of contractor repair.
• Conducts fault diagnosis; inspects, tests, modifies, maintains, and repairs signal and communications equipment.
• Inspects, repairs, and maintains electrical, electronic, mechanical, and hydraulic equipment including switch machines, spring switches, correspondence signals, multiplexers, microprocessor controlled interlocking, vital relays, standalone PCs, power supplies, battery systems, variable message signs, Train to Wayside Communication devices, display systems and other complex machinery and equipment.
• Reads and understands blueprints, schematics and drawings for maintenance and troubleshooting.
• Operates switch machines by hand and by Local Control Panels under revenue and non-revenue conditions.
• Fabricates tools, parts, components, and systems for LRV, Traction Power Sub-stations (TPSS), Overhead Contact System (OCS), Right of Way (ROW), Train Wayside Control (TWC), signals, signage, safety equipment, security and fire alarm equipment; maintains equipment as needed; performs regular inspections of the equipment and systems used and takes appropriate action as needed; audits and tracks inventory of parts through the MMIS, researches and contacts manufacturer’s and vendors to ensure low costs for replacement parts and provides the bid information to the Contracts Department as necessary; audits and ensures all chemicals that enter the maintenance facility are documented and have the required records on file. 
• Supports coordination of emergency response and accident investigations for vehicles, LRVs, crane, forklift, and work-related injuries; investigates and generates reports and documents pertaining to injuries involving the safety/security of the public; acts as a liaison to police and fire departments; performs/ coordinates hazardous material spill clean-up work pertaining to environmental issues. 
• Responds to and performs unscheduled repairs/replacement of damaged fixtures and roadway surfaces on the right-of-way including drain grates, concrete defects, damaged electrical vault covers, damaged stand-alone wayside signs, switch machine covers, and signal lighting.
• Performs re-railing of equipment, LRV recovery techniques.
• Accident and Incident response and support.
• Provides support to the division/department and others on matters as directed; serves as staff on a variety of committees as assigned; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence; attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the fields related to area of assignment; incorporates new developments as appropriate; ensures processes, policies, and practices are followed and applied consistently and effectively; ensures accountability and compliance with all current and applicable state and federal laws, Agency policies and procedures, rules and regulations.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions 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 Electronics, Electrical, Mechanical Maintenance and Repair, or closely related field. Four years of experience in performing repair and maintenance of light/heavy equipment, troubleshooting electrical systems, and performing equipment inspections, preferably with light rail vehicles and equipment; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Additional Demands/Requirements:
This position is considered safety sensitive. It requires a DOT physical that meets standard to qualify for at least a one-year certification under 49 CFR 391.4, and recertification as needed, and a negative drug test.  Following is a description of the circumstances for testing as required by Federal regulations 49 CFR Part 655: random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, return to duty and follow-up drug and alcohol testing in compliance with Federal Transit Authority DOT alcohol and controlled substances testing program protocols.

Required Licenses or Certifications:

• Valid state driver's license (with no more than 1 violation in the past 12 months, exclusive of DUI and reckless driving). This position is required to have DOT clearance.
• Valid Washington State CDL class B commercial license or the ability to obtain one within 6 months of hire.
• Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) or Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Certification.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Work independently and unsupervised for extended periods of time.
• Operations, services, and activities of a light rail vehicle maintenance and repair program.
• Current methods, equipment, tools, and materials used in the repair, maintenance, and adjustment of light rail vehicles and associated systems, such as shop tools, power tools, lathes, milling machines, presses, diagnostic and test equipment, forklift trucks, non-revenue vehicles, specialty vehicles to include lifting platforms and buckets.
• Methods and techniques of performing preventive maintenance including preventive maintenance inspections, performing diagnostic troubleshooting services.
• Principles of electrical, mechanical, and electronic theory.
• Methods, materials, equipment, and tools used in fabrication work.
• Basic shop mathematics.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.
• Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipme...