Associate Director - OCS Expert

Network Rail Consulting; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare insurance premiums (100%)+

Generous vacation leave 25 days

401K with employer matching

LifeMart employee discounts

Job summary

Network Rail Consulting (NRC) is the international consultancy arm of Network Rail, delivering advisory services for rail projects across the US with a focus on high‑speed systems. We are seeking an Associate Director – OCS based in Sacramento to lead Overhead Contact Systems design, compliance, and interface management alongside contract oversight for HV connections.

The role requires PE/Chartered status, international rail design experience, and a track record in leading multidisciplinary

Qualifications

• Strong background in Overhead Contact Systems for high-speed rail.
• Experience in project management, schedules and budgets.
• PE Qualified/Chartered Engineer and professional body membership.
• International rail system design and consultation experience.
• Contract and procurement experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical guidance on OCS specifications and equipment for project infrastructure.
• Lead technical support for product acceptance and interface with adjoining rail entities.
• Manage day-to-day contract management for high-voltage connections with utilities.
• Deliver content for OCS design criteria and standards within the project.
• Support development of RFPs and evaluation of proposals from contractors/subcontractors.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure safety, performance and compliance.
• Provide technical mentorship to engineers within the project team.

Skills

OCS expertise

Rail engineering

Contract management

Project leadership

Education

PE Chartered Engineer

Job description

Network Rail Consulting (NRC) is the international consultancy arm of Network Rail – the owner and operator of Britain’s mainline rail system. We have been active in the North American, Australian and the Middle East markets since 2013 and have successfully delivered more than 150 consultancy contracts for government, public and privately owned organizations.

Through our consulting services in the United States (US), we are assisting both public agencies and private clients in the transportation sector to accelerate transformation efforts, make step‑changes in major program delivery, and achieve leaps forward in areas such as asset management & maintenance, major projects, railway operations, strategic planning and advisory.

agile, always safe, care about people, collaborative, impartial and passionate.

The opportunity with NRC

We have already delivered several key advisory and infrastructure projects across the US and have consistently demonstrated exceptional value to our clients through deep integration with their teams, showing ourselves to be a true partner and peer.

Building on our continued success, we are looking for an experienced professional to join our team as an Associate Director – OCS based in Sacramento.

Work as part of the integrated High-Speed Rail Systems Engineering project team, providing technical specialist support for product specification, system design compliance and approval, construction, acceptance, maintenance and operation of the Overhead Contact Systems, grounding & bonding, connections to the traction power system, and all related interfaces and also provide project and day to day contract management for all high voltage connection contracts with utility providers.

Key Accountabilities

You’ll work as part of the integrated High-Speed Rail Systems Engineering project team to deliver a high‑speed rail system which meets the business requirements established by the California High-Speed Rail Authority, while interpreting business requirements and develop performance requirements for the Rail Systems specification in compliance with statute, system design, national and international standards, and best industry practice.

• Provide advice and guidance on development of new or modified Overhead Contact Systems, or equipment for use on project infrastructure so that the systems specification remains at the forefront of industry in terms of safety, technology, and performance.
• Provide specialist technical guidance and support to the product acceptance process for OCS equipment and components.
• As team lead you will provide technical support to other engineers within the High-Speed Rail Systems project team and to others within the wider project team to ensure that specialist advice is available as the need arises required.
• Establish technical content for OCS standards for the project.
• Review, as directed, the overall performance, safety and compatibility of project Overhead Contact Systems and provide structured feedback where required.
• Contribute to the development of project requests for proposal (RFPs) and to the evaluation of proposals from contractors/subcontractors.
• Update Design Criteria Manual chapters for OCS, for incorporation into future contracts
• Manage the Overhead Contact Systems interface with adjoining railroad entities.

Job Skills, Experience and Qualifications

• Strong background in Overhead Contact Systems – ideally within a high-speed railway environment.
• Plan and deliver appropriate systems to understand future demand, new technologies, and areas for improvement.
• Manage third parties so that service levels are met.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, industry, and company standards.
• Ability to work across a multidisciplinary team and establish relationships at all levels.
• Relevant engineering management experience involving technical and business risk assessment.
• Project Management experience involving schedule and budgets
• Contract and procurement experience
• International rail system design and consultation experienced
• PE Qualified/Chartered Engineer
• Membership of a professional body

For the right person, this role presents a fantastic opportunity to develop their career, joining an established and passionate team, with ambitious plans to grow.

We offer benefits such as:

• Competitive compensation packages
• Healthcare insurance premiums (100% paid for by us)
• Generous vacation leave entitlement (25 days)
• 401K with employer matching contributions
• Access to Employee Discount Program via LifeMart

NRC supports flexible working practices, and we understand that life balance is an important part of our employees' lives. We offer a wide range of flexible work/life balance options such as hybrid (home/office) working, flexible working hours where appropriate.

NRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of age, race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or veteran status.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.