Manager, Vehicle Engineer

WMATA; New Carrollton (MD); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

Retirement plans

Tuition assistance

Free transit

Job summary

WMATA in Washington, DC seeks a Manager, Vehicle Engineering to lead the Vehicle Engineering Branch of the Department of Bus Services. You will plan, direct, and coordinate activities to develop and procure bus vehicles within cost and time constraints, managing consultants and related services.

You will drive modernization initiatives, support advanced propulsion technologies, and provide engineering solutions that improve safety, reliability, and service for millions of riders.

Responsibilities

• Participates in procurement efforts, including recommending contractual actions.
• Assesses scope of projects and ensures item availability meets needs with optimum resource use.
• Consults with equipment engineers on vehicle engineering and related activities.
• Coordinates cross-office efforts to align with project plans and budgets.
• Develops and implements QA, evaluation programs and specs for major rehabilitation.
• Directs configuration control, rehabilitation and replacement programs for vehicles.
• Sets production or quality standards and provides technical direction to staff.
• Defines unit objectives, plans work, and evaluates staff performance.
• Assists in designs for transit vehicles and components and reviews documentation.
• Monitors performance of vehicle manufacturers to ensure contract terms are fulfilled.

Job description

Marketing Statement

WMATA is seeking an experienced Manager, Vehicle Engineering, Bus to lead engineering strategy for a fleet of more than 1,400 transit buses and support vehicles serving the Washington, DC region. In this role, you will drive initiatives that improve fleet safety, reliability, sustainability, and operational performance while advancing innovative vehicle technologies. Working closely with operations, maintenance, safety, procurement, and training teams, you will lead fleet modernization efforts, support emerging propulsion technologies, and deliver engineering solutions that enhance service for millions of customers.

Why WMATA?

• Lead fleet innovation and modernization programs
• Influence the future of sustainable transit technologies
• Collaborate with industry leaders and manufacturers
• Competitive benefits, retirement plans, and tuition assistance
• Free Metrobus and Metrorail transportation

Join WMATA and help shape the future of safe, reliable, and sustainable public transportation.

Job Summary

The Manager, Vehicle Engineering is responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating the activities of the Vehicle Engineering Branch of the Department of Bus Services (BUSV). The role is accountable for accomplishing a full range of technical tasks and ensuring the effective achievement of bus development and procurement actions within strict cost constraints and critical time schedules while satisfying operational needs. The Manager, Vehicle Engineering may manage the activities of bus vehicle consultants, vehicle rehabilitation contracts, as well as consultants employed for inspections and related technical services.

Principal Job Duties

• Participates in all aspects of the procurement efforts, including recommending contractual actions. Identifies design and procurement problems and coordinates corrective actions for vehicle and related equipment.
• Analyzes and assesses the scope and extent of assigned projects. Ensures item availability meets project needs with optimum use of available resources.
• Consults with equipment engineers for vehicle engineering and related technical activities. Researches advanced engineering designs or applications.
• Coordinates efforts of personnel from other offices to ensure conformance to overall project plan and budget. Represents the Contracting Officer in meetings pertaining to vehicle and related equipment design or procurement.
• Develops and implements quality assurance, project evaluation programs and specifications for major rehabilitation of the existing fleet.
• Directs vehicle configuration control and configuration management programs, as well as vehicle rehabilitation and replacement programs.
• Establishes production or quality control standards. Provides technical direction to other engineers or staff members. Performs failure, variation, or root cause analyses and manages vehicle procurements to ensure work is accomplished according to plan.
• Defines mission and objectives of the work unit. Establishes work plans and evaluates staff performance. Supervises staff members and ensures proper training is provided.
• Assists in the development of designs for transit vehicles and transit work equipment. Reviews engineering documentation. Reviews or recommends project design changes. Oversees testing/performance of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or integrated systems or equipment.
• Monitors the performance of the manufacturers of vehicles to assure Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)'s contract terms are fulfilled. Provides engineering support to BUSV as needed.
• Monitors budget, expenditures, and resource allocation to evaluate project conformance with goals and established policies. Recommends budget estimates for procurement of vehicle equipment. Recommends management strategies to meet vehicle objectives within the approved budget.
• Reviews contract specifications, analyzes bids for ability to perform, and makes recommendations regarding award of vehicle equipment related procurement contracts. Reviews contracts or cost estimates.

Other Duties

N/A

Safety Sensitive

• Maintains and promotes awareness and accountability with safety policies and procedures while performing job functions. Promotes a positive safety culture and encourages reporting of safety concerns consistent with our Agency Safety Plan, other regulatory requirements within the Safety Management System and just culture principles.

The functions listed are not intended to limit specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Nor is it intended to limit in any way the right of managers and supervisors to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.