LRT/Transit Vehicle Oversight Engineer (Rolling Stock)

Lea+Elliott, Inc.; New York (NY); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Lea+Elliott, Inc. seeks an experienced LRT/Transit Vehicle Oversight Engineer to act as the owner's rep, providing technical and contractual oversight of the Light Rail Transit Vehicle supplier.

You will ensure LRVs meet contract specs, safety standards, and performance requirements while coordinating with the supplier, subcontractors, and internal agencies to resolve issues and integrate new vehicles into the network.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering.
• 12+ years in rail vehicle engineering, maintenance, or procurement.
• Knowledge of propulsion, braking, and electronic control systems.
• Experience in design review, troubleshooting, and QA auditing.
• Proficient in MS Office and engineering software.

Responsibilities

• Design review and technical oversight of vehicle subsystems and supplier submittals.
• Manufacturing and quality surveillance at supplier facilities; perform QA/QC audits and inspections.
• Testing and commissioning oversight; review FAT/SAT procedures and data.
• Contract management and documentation; monitor progress, assess changes, maintain records.

Skills

Rail vehicle design

Design review

Troubleshooting

QA auditing

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Engineering software

Job description

Lea+Elliott is seeking a highly skilled a LRT/Transit Vehicle Oversight Engineer who will act as the owner’s representative in providing technical and contractual oversight of the Light Rail Transit Vehicle supplier. This role ensures the design, manufacturing, testing, and delivery of new LRVs meet contract specifications, safety standards, and performance requirements. The engineer will work closely with the supplier, subcontractors, and internal agency departments to resolve technical issues, monitor quality, and facilitate seamless integration of new vehicles into the transit network.

The successful candidate will work closely with contractors, system suppliers, and client stakeholders by monitoring progress, verifying compliance, and facilitating issue resolution, ensuring the system is delivered safely, efficiently, and in accordance with project requirements. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a high-profile, complex transportation project within a multidisciplinary consulting environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Design Review and Technical Oversight

• Review and approve supplier design submittals, drawings, schematics, and specifications to ensure compliance with the contract, regulatory standards, and safety requirements (FRA/FTA/APTA/NFPA).
• Participate in Design Review Meetings (PDR, CDR) and lead technical discussions regarding vehicle subsystems (car body and truck structure, crash energy management, power collection/distribution/protection, vehicle controls, traction, braking, suspension, door operators, HVAC, communications, vehicle fire hardening).
• Evaluate electrical and mechanical designs for reliability, maintainability, and performance.

2. Manufacturing and Quality Surveillance (Vendor Oversight)

• Perform inspections and audit quality assurance (QA/QC) processes at the supplier’s manufacturing facility.
• Conduct First Article Inspections (FAI) and Witness Point Inspections to verify component compliance before installation.
• Issue and manage Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs), tracking them to resolution.

3. Testing and Commissioning Oversight

• Witness, review, and approve factory and field testing procedures (FAT/SAT), including functional, performance, and safety tests.
• Analyze test data to identify issues, ensuring the vehicles meet performance criteria before acceptance.
• Coordinate with the supplier for troubleshooting and testing the integration of vehicle systems with signaling and depot infrastructure.

4. Contract Management and Documentation

• Monitor contractor progress, schedule, and quality of work, reporting on supplier performance and review of pay requests.
• Assist in the review of change orders and technical modifications to contract specs.
• Maintain accurate records, technical files, and correspondence regarding vehicle procurement assembly and safety certification documentation.
  

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 12 years of professional engineering experience in rail vehicle engineering, maintenance, or procurement.
• Deep understanding of rail vehicle design, including propulsion, braking, and electronic control systems.
• Experience in technical design review, troubleshooting, and quality assurance auditing.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and specialized engineering software.
  

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Ability to work on-site for extended periods during installation and commissioning phases.
• Experience supporting the evaluation of change orders and claims for rope hauled equipment, including technical review of scope, cost, and schedule impacts, and providing input to support contract decisions and negotiations.
• Ability to assess and document commercial risks during installation and commissioning of rope hauled equipment, including preparation of clear technical narratives to support equitable adjustments and dispute resolution efforts.
• Combination of office environment and field inspection at contractor manufacturing sites.
• Travel required (15-30%) for factory inspections.
• Potential exposure to hazards associated with manufacturing and transit maintenance facilities.

Lea+Elliott is a transportation consulting firm that works with owners on the planning, design, procurement, implementation and operation and maintenance of rail, and automated transit systems.

Lea+Elliott is an equal opportunity employer.