(LRV) Maintenance Optimization SME

Network Rail Consulting; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare premiums covered (100% byNR

Vacation leave

401K with employer matching

LifeMart employee discount

Job summary

Network Rail Consulting seeks a Light Rail Vehicle (LRV) Maintenance Optimization SME for Seattle. You will lead optimization of maintenance processes, develop SMPs, and guide a small team of coaches to improve reliability and wrench time on Sound Transit assets.

The role requires a degree in engineering, LRV experience, and strong Lean/continuous improvement skills, with a focus on training, governance, and data-driven improvement. Hybrid work arrangements apply across US client sites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in an engineering discipline.
• Experience in LRV operation and maintenance to assess reliability and availability.
• Experience with maintenance optimization, SMPs, and work management procedures.

Responsibilities

• Lead LRV maintenance optimization for Sound Transit asset management.
• Develop SMPs and training materials to improve technician performance.
• Design work cells and dashboards to track team objectives and trends.

Skills

LRV maintenance

Maintenance optimization

Lean Black Belt

Project management

Continuous improvement

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

Maximo

Trapeze EAM

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.

Our work is driven forward by our values: agile, always safe, care about people, collaborative, impartial and passionate.

About the Role

NRC supports multiple US clients from our strategic locations in Washington DC, New York City, and Boston, as well as West Coast clients from our offices in California and Seattle. We are seeking a Light Rail Vehicle (LRV) Maintenance Optimization SME for our Seattle location.

You will lead the improvement of LRV maintenance processes at Sound Transit on behalf of NRC and deliver increased Mean Distance Between Failure and reduced Mean Time to Repair. The role will lead a small team of LRV coaches and SMEs that will develop Standard Maintenance Procedures, create work instructions, training content and job aids, enabling Sound Transit and King County Rail to improve the way they maintain their rolling stock.

Key accountabilities include.

• Lead all aspects of LRV maintenance optimization on the Sound Transit Asset Management Support Services contract, including the management of a small team of SMEs and Coaches.
• Identify opportunities to develop improved maintenance processes and procedures that will result in less LRV downtime and increased reliability
• Lead Kaizens and Continuous Improvement initiatives that will improve the effectiveness of the Sound Transit maintenance organization
• In partnership with our Learning + Development team, identify maintenance issues and technician behaviors that can be improved with training and competency programs
• Lead workshops and other events that will create high client engagement and will result in a positive experience for our customer and their staff

Job Skills, Experience and Qualifications:

• Educated to degree level in a related Engineering discipline.
• Using your experience in LRV operation and maintenance assess the current state of LRV reliability and availability, identifying gaps and opportunities to reduce LRV days out of service, improve "wrench time" of maintenance personnel, and increase Mean Distance Between Failure (MDBF).
• Identify ways to optimize the LRV Preventive Maintenance Inspection program. This will involve identifying tasks that can be eliminated which add limited value and adding tasks that can increase LRV reliability.
• Design and implement improved work management procedures, such as how work orders are planned, assigned, closed and approved.
• Identify areas where enhanced Standard Maintenance Procedures (SMPs) can improve maintenance repair quality and lead the development of these SMPs.
• Design and launch "work cells" to improve the quality and efficiency of component overhaul, such as brake systems, pantographs, HVAC units, etc.
• Design and implement Control Boards (Dashboards) to track team objectives, actions, and trends to drive continuous improvement.
• In partnership with Supply Chain leaders, develop parts kits and Bills of Material to improve technician "wrench time" and reduce Mean Time to Repair (MTTR).
• Identify ways to assess asset condition, reducing the amount of unplanned failures.
• Develop and implement strategies and tactics to increase planned work and reduce unplanned work. Lead the development of Bills of Material for planned and unplanned repairs, and the creation of parts kits to increase "wrench time" and the effectiveness of the maintenance team.
• In partnership with Instructional Designers, support the development of training programs for key stakeholders involved in LRV maintenance.
• Using your communication skills, articulate what great looks like in LRV maintenance, and create a coalition that supports change and optimization of the program.
• Develop Process Maps and Value Stream Maps to illustrate the current state and illustrate opportunities to create value.
• Publish recommendations and reports for our clients in support of maintenance program improvement initiatives.

Desirable Skills and Experience:

• A solid network in the transit supply chain, preferably with Light Rail Vehicle OEMS and Tier 1 suppliers.
• Experience with Maximo and/or Trapeze EAM systems is preferred.
• Experience working within a unionized environment.
• Experience with Reliability Engineering and Reliability Centered Maintenance is a definite asset.
• Prefer a Lean Black Belt and experience in Project Management. Experience with continuous improvement tools such as Pareto, Gemba, Root Cause Analysis and Value Stream Maps are preferred.
• Experience with Reliability Centered Maintenance and using tools like FMECA

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
• 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.

Network Rail Consulting 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.