Senior OCS Engineer

Sacbar; Sacramento (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

David Evans and Associates, Inc. (DEA) is actively seeking a Senior OCS Engineer to lead planning, design, and delivery of overhead contact systems across electric trolleybus, light rail, and rail projects.

This role emphasizes technical leadership, client interaction, and project execution from concept through construction. You will mentor multidisciplinary design teams, collaborate with clients, and support business development to grow DEA's Rail Transit Systems practice across North America.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license in Civil, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering.
• Ability to obtain PE licensure in additional U.S. jurisdictions.
• 8+ years of experience designing Overhead Contact Systems for North American rail transit projects.
• Experience designing OCS for 600VDC, 750VDC, 1500VDC, and/or 25kV AC systems.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering or design teams.
• Strong understanding of OCS integration with traction power, track, signaling, and communications systems.
• Experience preparing engineering calculations, specifications, and construction documents.
• Experience providing engineering support during construction.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, design, and delivery of Overhead Contact System (OCS) projects from preliminary engineering through final design and construction support.
• Serve as the technical lead for multidisciplinary OCS design teams and mentor junior engineers and designers.
• Develop OCS layouts, master overlap charts, pole and foundation designs, assembly details, and contract documents.
• Perform OCS load calculations and engineering analyses.
• Coordinate OCS design with traction power, track, signaling, communications, civil, and structural disciplines.
• Prepare engineering specifications, construction cost estimates, and engineering reports.
• Provide construction engineering support, including submittal reviews, RFIs, field observations, and design revisions.
• Support system testing, commissioning, and project closeout activities.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships while supporting proposal development, scope definition, fee estimates, and technical interviews.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, or related engineering discipline

Job description

Senior OCS Engineer

Transportation Jobs with David Evans and Associates: At David Evans and Associates, Inc. (DEA), our Transportation team solves modern transportation challenges by combining innovation, sustainability, and a commitment to our clients. Through cutting-edge engineering practices, we deliver unique solutions designed to provide an exceptional client experience. DEA meets the demands of modern transportation with a diverse range of services tailored to our clients’ evolving needs. From enhancing existing transportation networks to pioneering new mobility solutions, our expertise helps shape a future where safe, efficient, and accessible mobility improves the quality of life in the communities we serve.

The Transit and Rail Practice is seeking a Senior OCS Engineer, preferably located in the Pacific Time Zone. However, the location of this role is very flexible, and does not require the candidate to be in-office.

As a Senior OCS Engineer, you will play a key role in growing DEA's Rail Transit Systems practice by leading the planning, design, and delivery of complex Overhead Contact System (OCS) projects for electric trolleybus, light rail, commuter rail, high-speed rail, and third rail systems.

In this role, you'll provide technical leadership from concept through construction, mentor multidisciplinary design teams, collaborate with clients and project partners, and support business development efforts across North America. The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise with strong communication and leadership skills to deliver safe, reliable, innovative, and cost-effective transit infrastructure.

What You’ll Do

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the planning, design, and delivery of Overhead Contact System (OCS) projects from preliminary engineering through final design and construction support.
• Serve as the technical lead for multidisciplinary OCS design teams and mentor junior engineers and designers.
• Develop OCS layouts, master overlap charts, pole and foundation designs, assembly details, and contract documents.
• Perform OCS load calculations and engineering analyses.
• Coordinate OCS design with traction power, track, signaling, communications, civil, and structural disciplines.
• Prepare technical specifications, construction cost estimates, and engineering reports.
• Provide construction engineering support, including submittal reviews, responses to RFIs, field observations, and design revisions.
• Support system testing, commissioning, and project closeout activities.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships while supporting proposal development, scope definition, fee estimates, and technical interviews.
• Contribute to the continued growth of DEA's Rail Transit Systems practice through technical excellence and business development.

What You Bring

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Civil, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license in Civil, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering.
• Ability to obtain PE licensure in additional U.S. jurisdictions.
• 8+ years of experience designing Overhead Contact Systems for North American rail transit projects.
• Experience designing OCS for 600VDC, 750VDC, 1500VDC, and/or 25kV AC systems.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering or design teams.
• Strong understanding of OCS integration with traction power, track, signaling, and communications systems.
• Experience preparing engineering calculations, specifications, and construction documents.
• Experience providing engineering support during construction.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Engineering.
• Experience with electric trolleybus systems.
• Experience supporting proposal development, project pursuits, and client presentations.
• Experience with one or more of the following transit agencies: Sound Transit
• King County Metro
• Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA)
• TriMet
• Experience supporting testing and commissioning of rail transit systems.