Senior Communication System Designer

TYLin; Hamden (CT); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Education benefits

Paid time off

Retirement plan with employer match

Employee assistance program

Job summary

TYLin is seeking a Senior Communication System Designer to join the Rail + Transit team in Philadelphia, PA. You will lead the design and delivery of complex communications and OT systems across major rail projects in the Northeast.

With 10+ years of experience, you will own design packages, coordinate with engineers and clients, and guide junior staff while ensuring quality and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Telecommunications, or related field.
• 10+ years of relevant experience in communications systems, electrical systems, rail/transit systems, telecommunications, or related field.
• Experience designing and delivering communications systems for rail, transit, transportation, aviation, or other complex infrastructure environments.
• Strong understanding of communications networks, including fiber optic infrastructure, Ethernet, routers, switches, wireless, network architecture.
• Experience developing detailed engineering/design documentation, including contract drawings, specifications, equipment schedules, network diagrams, and system architecture documentation.
• Experience with AutoCAD, MicroStation, or similar design platforms; BIM/Revit familiarity is a plus.
• Ability to interpret and apply technical standards, codes, and client design criteria.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary designs and working with project managers, engineers, architects, contractors, vendors, and clients.
• Understanding of the full project lifecycle from conceptual design to commissioning.

Responsibilities

• Lead and perform the design and technical delivery of communications and OT systems for rail and transit projects.
• Develop communications system designs from concept through final design, procurement, construction, testing, and commissioning.
• Prepare detailed contract drawings, specifications, equipment schedules, and design narratives for construction.
• Design and coordinate transit communications systems (fiber, radio, CCTV, PIS, CAD/AVL, SCADA, PACS, video/audio).
• Develop system architecture, network diagrams, equipment layouts, and interconnection diagrams.
• Apply networking principles to transit environments and ensure security.
• Coordinate designs with civil, structural, electrical, and other disciplines.
• Review designs for quality, constructability, and compliance.
• Develop construction cost estimates for systems, equipment, and installation.
• Support client meetings, design reviews, site investigations, and construction activities.
• Provide technical guidance and mentor junior staff; contribute to standards.

Skills

Communications design

Rail/transit systems

Networking & protocols

AutoCAD / MicroStation

Team collaboration

Technical mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Professional Engineer license preferred

Tools

AutoCAD

MicroStation

BIM/Revit

CAD/AVL systems

Job description

TYLin is a globally recognized, full-service infrastructure consulting firm committed to providing innovative, cost-effective, constructible designs for the global infrastructure market. With over 3,000 employees throughout the Americas, Asia, and Europe, the firm provides support on projects of varying size and complexity. Together, we enhance conventional designs with smarter, more resilient systems. We provide people with better mobility. We steward precious resources by finding more sustainable solutions.

Job Summary

Are you an experienced communications systems professional with a passion for rail and transit? TYLin is seeking a Senior Communication System Designer to join our growing Rail + Transit team in Philadelphia, PA.

This is an opportunity for a technically strong professional with 10+ years of experience to play a key role in the design and delivery of complex communications and Operations Technology (OT) systems supporting major transit and rail infrastructure projects across Philadelphia, New York, and the Northeast.

You will bring strong technical expertise, sound design judgment, and a collaborative approach to projects ranging from station upgrades and maintenance facilities to major rail and transit programs.

The successful candidate will be comfortable taking ownership of communication systems design packages while working closely with engineers, architects, project managers, clients, and other technical disciplines.

Responsibilities & Qualifications

What You’ll Do

• Lead and perform the design and technical delivery of communications and Operations Technology (OT) systems for complex rail and transit projects.
• Develop communications systems designs from concept through final design, procurement, construction, testing, and commissioning.
• Prepare detailed contract drawings, specifications, calculations, equipment schedules, design narratives, and other technical documentation suitable for construction.
• Design and coordinate a range of transit communications systems, which may include:
• Fiber optic communications networks and infrastructure
• Radio and wireless communications systems
• CCTV and video surveillance systems
• Passenger Information Systems (PIS), including electronic signage and displays
• Computer-Aided Dispatch / Automatic Vehicle Location (CAD/AVL) systems
• SCADA systems, including traction power and train dispatch applications
• Physical Access Control Systems (PACS)
• Video and audio systems, including recording and storage infrastructure
• Communications/server room infrastructure and UPS systems
• Evaluate technical requirements, scopes of work, specifications, design criteria, directive drawings, and applicable standards.
• Develop system architecture, network diagrams, equipment layouts, interconnection diagrams, and detailed design documentation.
• Apply knowledge of networking protocols, network architecture, routers, switches, wireless technologies, and network security principles to transit communications environments.
• Coordinate communications system designs with civil, structural, architectural, electrical, systems, signaling, track, traction power, and other project disciplines.
• Review designs and technical work prepared by other designers and engineers for quality, completeness, constructability, and compliance with project requirements.
• Develop and review construction cost estimates for communications systems, equipment, materials, and installation.
• Participate in client meetings, technical workshops, design reviews, site investigations, and construction support activities.
• Provide technical guidance to less-experienced designers and engineers and contribute to the development of team standards, processes, and design practices.
• Support field investigations, construction administration, shop drawing reviews, RFIs, testing, commissioning, and troubleshooting as required.
• Help identify technical risks and develop practical, cost-effective solutions that meet client, operational, and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain a high standard of technical quality across all assigned deliverables and project phases.

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related discipline.
• 10+ years of relevant experience in communications systems, electrical systems, rail/transit systems, telecommunications, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience designing and delivering communications systems for rail, transit, transportation, aviation, or other complex infrastructure environments.
• Strong understanding of communications networks, including fiber optic infrastructure, Ethernet, routers, switches, wireless communications, network architecture, and related technologies.
• Experience developing detailed engineering/design documentation, including contract drawings, specifications, equipment schedules, network diagrams, and system architecture documentation.
• Experience with AutoCAD, MicroStation, or similar design platforms; familiarity with BIM/Revit environments is an asset.
• Ability to interpret and apply technical standards, specifications, codes, and client design criteria.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary designs and working directly with project managers, engineers, architects, contractors, vendors, and clients.
• Strong understanding of the full project lifecycle, from conceptual design through construction and commissioning.
• Ability to independently manage technical assignments, prioritize competing deadlines, and take ownership of deliverables.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred, or demonstrated progression toward professional registration.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience providing technical direction, mentoring, or quality review of junior staff is preferred.

Why Join TYLin?

• Meaningful Infrastructure: Contribute to major rail and transit programs that support safe, reliable, and connected transportation systems used by millions of passengers.
• Technical Challenge: Work on complex communications and systems projects involving multiple disciplines, technologies, stakeholders, and operating environments.
• Project Variety: Support major infrastructure programs across Philadelphia, New York, and the broader Northeast, including stations, maintenance facilities, rail corridors, and transit systems.
• Technical Leadership: Take ownership of significant design responsibilities while working alongside experienced professionals across TYLin’s multidisciplinary organization.
• Collaborative Culture: Work in an environment that values technical excellence, collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to delivering exceptional project outcomes.

Additional Information

We believe in recognizing the unique value that each individual brings to our team. As such, the job title and ultimate compensation for this role will be thoughtfully aligned with the depth of your experience, the breadth of your skills, and the genuine enthusiasm you bring to the position. We are committed to fostering an environment where your contributions are both acknowledged and rewarded appropriately. Join us in shaping a rewarding future together!

TYLin offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Our benefits may include extensive medical, disability and life insurance coverage, continuing education benefits, paid time off, employee assistance program and a retirement savings plan with company matching contributions.

We encourage all candidates to explore our total rewards offering.

Collaboration, mission-driven focus, discipline, and leadership skills developed through military service benefit us all. Whether you are a Veteran, Guardsman or Reservist, a Military Spouse or you are planning to transition to civilian life in the near future, we welcome and value your application.

TYLin is an equal opportunity employer, and we prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type as protected by federal, provincial, state or local laws. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. The company and its employees are required to comply with all local health authority, legal or lawful client requirements.