Engineering System Operator

Metropolitan Transportation Authority; Hempfield Township (Westmoreland County); On-site; USD 107,100 - 130,900; Full time

Job summary

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority seeks candidates for the Engineer Systems Operator training position aimed at familiarizing candidates with railroad power distribution and other operations critical for safety and efficiency. This role includes managing emergency responses and maintaining accurate operational logs while ensuring compliance with safety policies.

Candidates must have strong electrical knowledge, excellent communication skills, and a background in electrical engineering or related experience.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years experience in LIRR Power department or two years in traction power.
• Must possess ability to learn and retain knowledge of Substation Equipment and Third-Rail Equipment.
• Concise oral communication skills to express accurate and safe directions.

Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate Engineering Department decisions on the Power system.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive database for reports.
• Ensure a safe working environment and adherence to safety policies.

Skills

Electrical knowledge

Concise communication

Troubleshooting skills

Ability to learn and retain

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering

Associate's Degree in Electrical Technology

Tools

Supervisory Control System

Data Ease

Windows

Job description

Pay Rate: $57.47* (See Wage Progression Chart)

Regulated/Safety Sensitive: Safety Sensitive

Union Affiliation: Brotherhood of Railroad Signalman (BRS-241)

Shift (if applicable): Various

Chartered in 1834, the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) is the largest, busiest, and oldest continuously operating commuter railroad in the United States. In 2024, this 24/7/365 operation served 75.5 million riders on a system that stretches nearly 120 miles – from Penn Station and Grand Central Madison in Manhattan to Montauk on the eastern tip of Long Island.

JOB SUMMARY

This is a training position established to qualify a candidate to assume the position of Engineer Systems Operator. This program will train the candidate to become familiar with all railroad and utility power distribution, MW Operations, and physical characteristics. Assist in providing a safe and efficient transportation system for the Railroad including Power, Communications, Track and Structures Systems while maintaining on-time performance. Keep the Chief Engineer, Asst. Chief Engineers, and Principal Engineers abreast of emergencies/operational issues and status. Assist in ensuring continuous around the clock, seven days a week coverage to immediately respond to all MW related emergencies, derailments, washouts, flooding, fires, vandalism, accidents, injuries, track and structures incident. Handle 35,000 power operations yearly.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBLITIES:

• Assist in Managing and coordinating all Engineering Department decisions and operations made concerning the distribution of the entire Power system for the Long Island Rail Road. Control the equipment associated with the Third Rail System and Signal and Speed Control System.
• Assist in Coordinating and implementing an effective Engineering Department response to all off-hour emergencies and problems (i.e., derailments, flooding, fires, vandalism, loss of power, etc.). Dispatch proper personnel to answer and expedite repairs involving Track, Structures and Power (Substations, High Tension and Electric Light & Power) disciplines. Coordinate trouble calls for Substation, Third Rail, High Tension, EL&P, Structures and Maintenance of Way areas. Assist in redirecting Signal and Communication calls to the proper Trouble Desk. Assist in Dispatching Maintenance of Way and Electric Traction emergency and night crews, managing all Maintenance of Way emergency call outs on a timely basis, have proper knowledge and understanding of all Call-Out agreements.
• Assist in Developing and maintaining a comprehensive computer Data Base for failure reports, daily production reports, and trouble calls. Assist in Maintaining accurate records and logs of all Maintenance of Way and Power area activities and operations. Assist in Providing necessary daily reports and documentation; these activities will be kept on memory on a P.C. utilizing the most current software application.
• Assist in developing and maintaining recording and processing of only Maintenance of Way staff Sick, Personal Day and Bereavement requests made during off hours. Assist in coordinating and filing all required forms, maintaining an accurate Data Base of such requests and submitting proper documentation. Assist in the Maintenance of accurate logs relative to non-power operations such as Accident Reports and safety statistics concerning the Power Discipline (Substations, High Tension & EL&P).
• Assist in the coordination of programmed power outages with Movement Bureau, Amtrak, Con Ed, LIPA, and Engineering Disciplines (Signal, Track, ET, Structures) and Capital Department.
• Assist in Monitoring weather station, 24 hours, round the clock using the WDN Weather Consultant and DTN Datalite Weather Station, Platform Video Cameras, COMPUWEATHER and Brookhaven Lab Data in order to supply Railroad Management with the information necessary to make Operation decisions as consistent with emergency conditions.
• Ensure a safe working environment and adherence to guidelines of company safety policies and procedures. Lead by example.
• Perform other assignments as requested by Senior Management.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Minimum experience as agreed between the Long Island Rail Road Company and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union Contract Agreement- Appendix F. If promotion cannot be reached by agreement, a candidate not covered by the IBEW agreement, must possess one of the following criteria:

• A minimum of five years demonstrated electrical/ LIRR Power department experience.
• A minimum of two years’ experience in the traction power or utility field.
• Previous experience as a Power Operator.
• An Associate’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Technology or related field with two years electrical experience.
• A Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Technology or related field with related technical knowledge in the field.
• Must possess the ability to learn and retain the knowledge of Substation Equipment, (CRT BKRS [circuit breakers], Motor Generator, AC Switchgear, Relay Protection), Third-Rail Equipment (Rail, Board, Meg, Return, etc.), High Tension (Pole Lines, CRT [circuit] identification, Switches) and Electric Light & Power Facilities (Building, Elevators, Emergency Generators, Platform Lighting).
• Must possess the ability to learn and retain the knowledge of Track and Structures (M of W Switches, bridges, grade crossings, etc..) work maintenance procedures and materials.
• Must possess the ability to learn and retain the knowledge of LIRR physical characteristics (ROW (right of way) and facility locations, road charts, etc.) and to keep abreast of system.
• Must possess the ability to learn and retain the knowledge of proper Radio Communications procedures.
• Must possess the ability to learn and retain an accurate knowledge of Union Work Rules to ensure applicable agreements are followed.
• Must possess concise oral communications skills to express accurate and safe directions to managers, peers and subordinates.
• Must possess ability to recognize, classify problems, and take proper action to remove power while under pressure in a precise and orderly fashion.
• Must possess the ability to control the entire power plant from the supervisory control system.
• Must possess knowledge of software programs (Data Ease, Word, Windows, etc.).
• Must possess electrical & mechanical knowledge of power distribution equipment which is essential for trouble shooting skills via the Supervisory Control.
• Must possess the ability to learn and retain the knowledge of applicable call-out rules based on contractual agreements.
• Must possess the ability to learn and retain the knowledge of Sick Leave and Benefits Administration policies and procedures.
• Must possess ability to read and understand third rail drawings, Track charts, and signal and speed control diagrams.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering

Wage Progression after completion of training:

• 80% - $45.97
• 90% - $51.72
• 100% - $57.47

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY/ADA DISCLAIMER

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers and encourage qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.

If you seek a reasonable accommodation for a medical condition or disability, or for a religious practice or observance, to participate in the job application or interview process, please notify your MTA representative once you have been contacted regarding the role.