OCS Engineering Specialist

STV Incorporated; Lake Oswego (OR); On-site; USD 80,000 - 103,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) Plan

Paid Time Off

Job summary

STV Incorporated in Lake Oswego, Oregon seeks an OCS Engineering Specialist to design and deliver overhead contact systems for various rail modes. You will prepare plans, construction documents, and technical reports while coordinating with multi-disciplinary teams.

The role supports testing, commissioning, and field inspections, contributing to project schedules, budgets, and deliverables in a collaborative Systems Department setting.

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor's degree in civil, mechanical, structural, or related engineering field.
• 2–6 years of relevant experience in OCS, rail electrification, power or structural projects.
• Proficient in engineering drawings and design documentation; MS Office proficient.

Responsibilities

• Support design and development of Overhead Contact Systems (OCS) for rail projects.
• Prepare OCS plans, profiles, details, and construction documents.
• Perform calculations on catenary geometry, wire tensions, and foundations.
• Assist in developing OCS support structures such as cantilevers, portals, headspans.
• Prepare specifications, design reports, cost estimates, and studies.
• Coordinate OCS designs with track, traction power, civil, structural, and signals teams.

Skills

OCS Engineering

Rail Electrification

Technical Analysis

Multidisciplinary Coordination

Construction Support

Engineering Documentation

Problem Solving

Communication

Education

Bachelors in Civil Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

MicroStation

OpenRail

Bentley ProjectWise

RISA

MathCAD

Job description

Position Overview

STV is seeking an OCS Engineering Specialist to join our growing Systems Department in our Lake Oswego, OR office. This is an exciting opportunity for an early- to mid-career engineer who is passionate about rail and transit electrification and wants to contribute to transformative transportation programs throughout the Pacific Northwest and across the country. The successful candidate will support the planning, design, analysis, and delivery of Overhead Contact System (OCS) infrastructure for light rail, commuter rail, heavy rail, and other electrified transportation projects.

Key Responsibilities

Support the design and development of Overhead Contact Systems (OCS) for light rail, commuter rail, high-speed rail, and heavy rail projects.

Prepare OCS plans, profiles, details, and construction documents.

Perform engineering calculations related to: Catenary geometry Wire tensions Pole and foundation loading Support structures Clearances and system interfaces.

Assist in the development of OCS support structures including: Cantilevers Portals Headspans Bracket assemblies.

Prepare technical specifications, design reports, cost estimates, and engineering studies.

Coordinate OCS designs with track, traction power, civil, structural, signals, communications, and construction teams.

Support field investigations, condition assessments, and site inspections.

Participate in construction support activities including shop drawing reviews, RFI responses, and field issue resolution.

Assist with testing, commissioning, and startup activities for rail electrification systems.

Maintain compliance with AREMA, APTA, IEEE, client-specific, and applicable regulatory requirements.

Participate in QA/QC reviews and engineering coordination meetings.

Support project managers in maintaining project schedules, budgets, and technical deliverables.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 2-6 years of relevant engineering experience in one or more of the following: Overhead Contact Systems (OCS) Rail electrification Traction power Utility or power systems Structural engineering Transportation infrastructure.
• Working knowledge of engineering principles related to overhead contact systems and supporting infrastructure.
• Experience preparing engineering drawings and design documents.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and technical problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary project teams.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Exposure to rail, transit, commuter rail, or transportation infrastructure projects.
• Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification with a goal of obtaining a Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Knowledge of software for support structure analysis (RISA, MathCAD).
• Experience using one or more of the following: AutoCAD MicroStation OpenRail Bentley products ProjectWise.
• Familiarity with: OCS structural support systems AC and DC traction power systems Utility coordination Construction support and commissioning activities Experience performing field inspections or construction oversight.
• Understanding of AREMA and APTA standards.

Key Competencies

• OCS Engineering & Design
• Rail Electrification Systems
• Technical Analysis & Calculations
• Multidisciplinary Coordination
• Construction Support
• Engineering Documentation
• Problem Solving & Innovation
• Quality Assurance / Quality Control
• Communication & Collaboration

Compensation Range

Compensation Range: $79,979.92 - $102,831.32

Benefits

• Health insurance, including an option with a Health Savings Account
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care and Transit and Parking where applicable)
• Disability insurance
• Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment
• 401(k) Plan
• Retirement Counseling
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off (starting at 16 days)
• Paid Holidays (9 days)
• Back-Up Dependent Care (up to 10 days per year)
• Parental Leave (up to 80 hours)
• Continuing Education Program
• Professional Licensure and Society Memberships

STV is committed to paying all of its employees in a fair, equitable, and transparent manner. The listed pay range is STV’s good-faith salary estimate for this position. Please note that the final salary offered for this position may be outside of this published range based on many factors, including but not limited to geography, education, experience, and/or certifications.

STV is one of the top infrastructure-focused professional services firms in North America. Founded in 1912, STV advises, plans, designs, engineers and delivers the infrastructure that powers local economies, including transportation systems, buildings, water and other facilities. Headquartered in New York City, the company has more than 65 offices and 3,400 employees who reimagine the solutions and structures that connect our communities. The firm is ranked 32nd in Engineering News-Record’s Top 500 Design Firms survey and is 10th in its transportation category. STV is deeply committed to investing in its people and creating a world-class employee experience. We are passionate about mentoring, coaching and cultivating our talent because we know they are destined to become the next generation of industry leaders. We’re also committed to delivering formative career experiences – and we do that by providing challenging and unique work experiences, by mapping multiple ways to advance (beyond the traditional career ladder!) and by recognizing those who successfully chart new and exciting paths for the firm. We value a wide range of perspectives and experiences, without regard to any factor or characteristic, regardless of whether it is a category protected by federal, state and/or local law, making them an integral part of how we work. Our approach ensures that every individual is respected, heard, and given opportunities to contribute meaningfully. We remove barriers and create pathways for growth, embedding fairness into our daily operations. Learn more atstvinc.com. STV exists to make communities better through innovative solutions that connect people, places and the present to the future. Our local teams throughout the country deeply understand the needs of their communities and have the expertise to provide solutions. We are also committed to giving back to our communities and our neighbors through volunteering and philanthropic activities; fundraising events; scholarships, internships, and mentoring; and sustainability and community improvement projects. Learn more. STV provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.