Manager of Track Engineering

San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART); Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 172,000 - 261,000; Full time

Job summary

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) invites a collaborative Manager of Track Engineering to lead design, renewal, and capital improvement programs, guiding teams and coordinating with Operations, Maintenance, and Safety to maintain safe, reliable rail service.

Ideal candidates hold a CA‑preferred PE, with at least five years of rail engineering experience and two years in supervision, plus a bachelor’s degree. Weekend/night work and site travel are expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Track Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Five (5) years of full-time professional-level engineering experience related to railway track construction, maintenance, and design.
• At least two (2) years of supervisory experience.
• Registration as a professional engineer in California preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plans, directs, coordinates, and reviews work for assigned staff or contractors; assigns activities and reviews outputs.
• Oversees engineering consultant contracts for track projects including design, construction, and maintenance support.
• Selects and evaluates staff; coordinates training and enforces discipline when needed.
• Directs preparation of plans, specifications, and cost estimates for track projects.
• Oversees track program development to ensure compliance with standards and CPUC rules.
• Manages development and design of service-improvement solutions; interfaces with host railroads and agencies.

Skills

Track engineering leadership

Project management

Budget administration

Regulatory compliance

Team mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Track/Civil/Mechanical engineering

Job description

Pay Rate

Non-Represented Salary Grade E10

Annual Salary: $172,056.00 - $260,665.00

Note: The starting negotiable annual salary offer will be between $172,056.00 - $227,220.00 to commensurate with education and experience.

Reports To

Group Manager, Engineering

Days Off

Variable

Who May Apply

All current BART employees and Future BART employees

Current Assignment

Current Assignment

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) is seeking a collaborative and results-driven Manager of Track Engineering to lead the engineering efforts that keep one of the nation's largest rail transit systems safe, reliable, and moving. This position provides leadership for track engineering, capital improvement projects, infrastructure renewal, and engineering support for daily operations while partnering closely with Maintenance, Operations, Capital Delivery, and Safety to deliver practical, innovative solutions that enhance system performance.

The ideal candidate is an experienced engineering leader who thrives in a fast-paced transit environment and is passionate about improving rail infrastructure. They inspire teams, build collaborative partnerships, and provide innovative engineering solutions that support safe, reliable service while advancing BART's long-term infrastructure goals.

Competencies

• Leadership of railway track engineering, maintenance, and capital improvement programs.
• Managing complex engineering projects, consultant contracts, budgets, and competing priorities.
• Knowledge of track design, inspection, maintenance, and applicable FRA, CPUC, and industry standards.
• Building collaborative relationships across engineering, operations, maintenance, contractors, and regulatory agencies.
• Leading, mentoring, and developing high-performing engineering teams.
• Analyzing complex technical issues, making sound decisions, and implementing practical solutions.
• Driving continuous improvement, innovation, and asset management strategies that enhance safety, reliability, and system performance.

Responsibilities

1. Plans, directs, coordinates, and reviews the work plan for assigned staff or contractors; assigns work activities, projects, and programs; reviews and evaluates work products, methods, and procedures; meets with staff, maintenance team, stakeholders and/or contract service providers to identify and resolve problems.
2. Prepares, oversees, administers, and monitors engineering consultant contracts for assigned track projects including new design and construction, and maintenance and operational support; reviews and approves final project plans, specifications, and cost estimates prepared by in-house and consulting engineers.
3. Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned engineering personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures.
4. Directs the preparation of plans, specifications, cost estimates, requests for proposals and bid documents for District's track engineering projects, or construction and maintenance work.
5. Oversees the development of the District Track Programs to ensure compliance with District's track standards or California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) standards.
6. Manages the development, proposal, and design of solutions for service improvements; interfaces with host railroads and other agencies to implement proposed improvements.
7. Manages and participates in the development and implementation of track engineering goals, objectives, policies, and priorities; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
8. Monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; recommends, within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels.
9. Monitors developments and legislations related to assigned area of responsibility; evaluates impact upon district or operations; recommends and oversees implementation of equipment, practices, and procedural improvements.
10. Oversees and participates in the development and administration of the division's annual budget; participates in the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies; monitors and approves expenditures; implements adjustments.
11. Serves as the liaison for the Track Engineering Division with other divisions, departments and outside agencies; provides technical assistance to the Legal Department and serves as an expert witness; negotiates and resolves sensitive and controversial issues.
12. Inspects on-going track construction projects to ensure improvement; may be required to drive District vehicles to track construction sites.
13. Provides responsible staff assistance to the Track Engineering Group Manager.
14. Responds to emergency situations related to safe operation of the District's track and related structures, for instance, situations such as derailments, track buckle, track defects causing trains to slow down.
15. Serves as staff on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees; prepares and presents periodic and special reports regarding track engineering and construction activities to management staff or other departments and other necessary correspondence.
16. Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of track design, maintenance, inspection and repair.

Education

Possession of a bachelor’s degree in Track Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.

Experience

The equivalent of five (5) years of full-time professional-level engineering experience related to the construction, maintenance, and design of railway track and structures, which must have included at least two (2) years of supervisory experience.

License or Certificate

Registration as a professional engineer in the State of California preferred.

Substitution

Additional professional experience as outlined above may be substituted for the education on a year-for-year basis.

Other Requirement

Must possess a valid California driver’s license and have a satisfactory driving record.

Must be willing to work on weekends and at night, occasionally or as needed, to oversee and serve as track engineering subject matter expert to support track safety, inspection, construction, and maintenance needs.Knowledge of:

Knowledge

• Operations, services, and activities of a comprehensive track engineering program
• Principles and practices of track engineering in rail transportation
• Principles and practices of track inspection, track defect root cause analysis
• Principles and practices of project scheduling and management
• Principles and practices of program development and administration
• Construction materials, methods, and equipment used in track engineering projects
• Railroad track design and construction, bridge, and structure design and construction
• Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation
• Pertinent government codes, regulations, and provisions
• Related Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations including FRA and CPUC

Skill in:

• Overseeing and participating in the management of a comprehensive track engineering program
• Overseeing new track construction, track renewal and upgrades, major track repairs related to track incidents
• Overseeing, directing, managing, and coordinating the work of lower-level staff
• Selecting, supervising, training, and evaluating staff
• Participating in the development and administration of goals, objectives, and procedures
• Planning, organizing, directing, reviewing, and evaluating the activities of professional staff and contract consultants on assigned projects
• Conducting track inspections and establishing a track inspection program including the use of rail inspection vehicle, ultrasonic test car, and visual track inspections.
• Preparing and administering large program budgets and contracts; project feasibility studies and cost estimates
• Preparing clear and concise administrative and financial reports
• Managing the services of outside consultants
• Preparing clear, concise, and complete reports on civil and structural design project activities
• Analyzing problems, identifying alternative solutions, projecting consequences of proposed actions and implementing recommendations in support of goals related to track issues
• Researching, analyzing, and evaluating new service delivery methods and techniques
• Interpreting and applying Federal, State, and local policies, laws, and regulations
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work

Pre-employment processing will include a background check. This requirement does not apply to current full-time District employees unless the position requires additional evaluations or clearances.

The selected candidate must demonstrate a work history reflecting reliability and dependability and may be required to provide copies of certificates, diplomas, or other documentation required by law, including proof of authorization to work in the United States.