Chief Specialist âAutomatic Fare Collection (Railways)

Virtua Advanced Solution; Dubai; On-site; AED 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Virtua Advanced Solution is seeking an experienced AFC System Architect to lead the design, development, testing, commissioning and handover of the AFC system in a complex rail project in Dubai. You will ensure seamless integration with other railway subsystems and compliance with international standards.

The role requires a Masters degree with 10 years of experience, strong analytical skills, and proven leadership to drive cross-disciplinary teams and deliver high-quality, secure, and compliant

Qualifications

• Masters Degree is required.
• 10 years of working experience.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven leadership and ability to drive complex projects.

Responsibilities

• Oversee design, development, testing, commissioning and handover of the AFC system.
• Ensure AFC system designs comply with project specs and international standards.
• Coordinate with designers, software developers and hardware engineers for design consistency.
• Ensure secure data handling, encryption and authentication in AFC solutions.
• Review and validate AFC designs for integration with other railway systems.
• Oversee installation of AFC devices and software deployment centrally.
• Coordinate testing, documentation, and submission of as-built drawings and manuals.
• Provide technical leadership and support across Operations and Maintenance post-implementation.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Software proficiency

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Problem-solving

Leadership

Planning & organization

Detail orientation

Education

Masters Degree

Job description

Job Purpose

The role is responsible for overseeing the design development testing commissioning and handover of the AFC system. This role ensures the AFC system is accurately designed integrated with other railway systems and compliant with international standards. The specialist provides technical leadership resolves system-related issues and ensures the project is delivered on time within budget and meets client expectations.

Key accountabilities

• Ensures the safety functionality and compliance of newly implemented or altered assets engineering processes procedures or systems.
• Provides technical development and implementation of low complexity engineering solutions through the application of defined engineering standards and governance.
• Provides internal stakeholders with appropriate professional advice to ensure the development or delivery of high quality tested engineering solutions.
• Undertakes on-site risk-based monitoring and surveillance of works as required resolving and or escalating risks and issues as appropriate.
• Evaluates selects and applies appropriate solutions to low risk/value/complexity engineering problems that improve efficiency or effectiveness while improving safety and reducing operating costs.
• Supports continuous improvement using best practice innovation cost optimization and effective root cause analysis.
• Review and validate AFC system designs ensuring compliance with project specifications and international standards.
• Ensure seamless integration of the AFC system with other railway systems (AFC devices gates ticket vending machines backend systems Communication and OCC).
• Collaborate with designers software developers and hardware engineers to ensure design consistency.
• Ensure AFC system designs incorporate robust security measures for data protection and fraud prevention.
• Verify that the AFC design meets local and international standards (EMV PCI-DSS).
• Review the AFC system design to handle peak passenger traffic efficiently.
• Define software requirements for AFC system functionalities including ticketing revenue management and data analytics.
• Review the configuration parameters (fare structure ticket types user interfaces).
• Ensure preparation of complete design documentation including system architecture data flow diagrams and interface specifications.
• Work with clients consultants and other stakeholders to align system design with their requirements.
• Oversee the implementation of the AFC system ensuring compliance with design specifications.
• Supervise the installation of AFC devices (ticket validators gates TVMs card readers).
• Software Deployment: Oversee the installation and configuration of AFC software (central server back-office systems).
• Ensure that data encryption user authentication and other security protocols are correctly implemented.
• Verify AFC system compatibility with other subsystems (Communication SCADA).
• Ensure seamless integration with external systems (banking networks third-party payment providers Core ABT system).
• Regularly update project management on development progress and challenges.
• Ensure development of a comprehensive testing plans for the AFC system covering functional performance and security aspects.
• Conduct inspections of installed AFC devices (gates validators vending machines).
• Supervise and ensuring the system meets client and user expectations.
• Perform penetration testing and vulnerability assessments to ensure data protection.
• Verify that the AFC system correctly handles all fare types discounts and payment methods.
• Identify and resolve any software or hardware issues encountered during testing.
• Ensure seamless operation of the entire AFC system from fare collection to revenue reporting.
• Test system response time transaction speed and reliability under various conditions.
• Review test reports including identified issues and corrective actions.
• Review of the AFC system ensuring full compliance with specifications.
• Ensure submission of complete AFC system documentation (as-built drawings manuals configuration files).
• Coordinate the resolution of any defects identified during the final inspection.
• Ensure formal handover of the AFC system to the client ensuring all acceptance criteria are met.
• Oversee the warranty period ensuring all warranty obligations are met.
• Provide technical support to the Operation and Maintenance departments during the initial operational period.
• Ensure the AFC system has all necessary certifications and approvals from relevant authorities.
• Verify that the AFC system accurately collects calculates and reports fare revenue.
• Facilitate the transition of the AFC system from the project team to the clients operations team.
• Review standard operating procedures (SOPs) for AFC design and implementation.
• Explore and implement new AFC technologies (mobile payments contactless cards QR code tickets).
• Continuously review and enhance AFC system security to prevent fraud and data breaches.
• Monitor AFC system costs ensuring they remain within the approved budget.
• Identify and mitigate AFC-related risks throughout the project lifecycle.
• Continuously review and optimize AFC system performance for speed and reliability.
• Document lessons learned during the project to improve future AFC designs and implementations.

Qualifications

Eligibility-

• Masters Degree
• 10 years of working experience
• Key skillsets:
• Highly analytical thinking with demonstrated talent for identifying scrutinizing improving and streamlining complex work processes.
• Computer-literate performer with extensive software proficiency covering wide variety of applications.
• Exceptional listener and communicator who effectively conveys information verbally and in writing.
• Resourceful team player who excels at building trusting relationships with customers and colleagues.
• Flexible team player who thrives in environments requiring ability to effectively prioritize and juggle multiple concurrent projects.
• Innovative problem-solver who can generate workable solutions and resolve complaints.
• Goal-driven leader who maintains a productive climate and confidently motivates mobilizes and coaches employees to meet high performance standards.
• Results-driven achiever with exemplary planning and organizational skills along with a high degree of detail orientation.

Remote Work

No

Employment Type

Full-time