Senior Signal Engineer/Designer

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc.; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc. is seeking a Senior Signal Engineer/Designer to join the Transit & Rail group. The role involves leading detailed signal design work for complex rail projects, with opportunities across multiple office locations in the US.

Hybrid work is available, with remote options within the firm’s footprint. You will guide signaling plans, develop designs for train control systems, and oversee projects from planning through commissioning, leveraging AREMA practices and strong

Qualifications

• BS in Civil Engineering or related field.
• 11-15 years of professional experience in railroad and/or rail transit engineering design.
• Familiarity with AREMA recommended practices.
• Strong understanding of track, station, layover facility and general civil engineering.
• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint; MS Project or Primavera for project management.

Responsibilities

• Supports signaling project phases from planning to commissioning for transit/rail projects.
• Leads signal engineering activities for large, complex projects or multiple smaller projects.
• Participates in project staffing decisions and develops detailed signal designs.
• Develops electrical circuits and signal systems, including at-grade crossing components.
• Performs feasibility studies, braking calculations, routes and phasing plans.
• Supports installation, testing, and commissioning of CBTC and PTC projects.

Skills

Communication skills

Team leadership

Problem solving

Project coordination

Education

BS in Civil Engineering

PE License preferred

Tools

MS Word

Excel

PowerPoint

MS Project

Primavera

Job description

Senior Signal Engineer/Designer

Job Locations US-MA-Boston | US-NY-New York City | US-DC-Washington

ID: 2026-5865

Category: Engineering

Type: Regular Full-Time

Career Stage Type: Experienced

# of Openings: 2

Overview

ABOUT THE POSITION

Senior Signal Engineer/Designer - Transit & Rail - Hybrid - Multiple office locations *Remote working possible, must be within VHB office footprint*

VHB's Transit and Rail group is dedicated to transforming transit visions into real-world solutions that enhance connectivity and support community development. The company's comprehensive services encompass funding, design, permitting, construction planning, and operations, thus providing end-to-end solutions for transit and rail projects.

As a senior member of the team, you'll work under minimal direction, performing detailed phases of signal engineering design work for projects with complex features. Exercises independent judgment and decision making in evaluating, selecting, and applying advanced engineering techniques, procedures, and criteria to perform work and make substantial adaptations and modifications as needed. You'll lead a team in developing signal engineering plans and specifications for a multitude of transit and railroad signaling projects (e.g. train control systems for light and heavy rail transit, and freight, commuter, intercity and high-speed rail road operations).

Responsibilities

• Supports the installation, testing, and commissioning of rail based signaling, Communications Based Train Control (CBTC),and Positive Train Control (PTC) projects
• Plans, organizes, and oversees signal engineering activities for all phases of a transit and rail road project of significant size and complexity or two or more projects of small to moderate size and complexity.
• Participates in all stages of a signaling project from planning and design to installation and commissioning.
• Makes recommendations on project staffing.
• Develops detailed signal designs and systems, including at grade railroad crossing systems for both constant and fixed warning systems and traffic preemption functions.
• Develops and modifies electrical circuits.
• Performs feasibility studies and analysis, including braking calculations, control tables, routes and aspects, schematics, and phasing plans.
• Supports key stages of the installation, testing and commissioning of rail based signaling, Communications Based Train Control (CBTC), and Positive Train Control (PTC) projects

Qualifications

• BS in Civil Engineering or related field
• 11-15 years of professional experience in railroad and/or rail transit and engineering design
• Clear understanding of railroad and rail transit design requirements including AREMA recommended practices
• Familiarity with track, station, layover facility and general civil engineering
• Strong capability in use of computer applications including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Capability in the use of project management applications such as MS Project or Primavera
• PE License preferred

Our best estimate of the salary range for this position located in New York City is $140,000-180,000, estimate for a position located in Boston, MA is $130,000- $170,000; estimate for a position based in Washington, DC is $130,000 - 170,000. This offer is determined based on a number of job-related factors including internal comparators, skills, education, training, credentials, experience, scope and complexity of role responsibilities and geographic location. In addition, VHB offers a holistic benefits package which can be found here.

Building what's next, together.

Our people make the difference. We foster a technology-empowered, peopledriven, futureready culture where agility, innovation, and collaboration shape how we work every day.

When you join VHB, you'll find:

• Meaningful work on complex projects with real community impact
• A collaborative, inclusive culture that values curiosity and shared success
• Support to grow your skills and lead through change
• Learning and development supported by evolving tools and technologies, including AI
• Best-in-class benefits and a flexible, hybrid work environment

We're growing across the East Coast and are consistently recognized as a great place to work. Ready to shape what's next? Learn more about what sets our employee experience apart and connect with us.

VHB is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. Since our founding, we have intentionally fostered a culture of inclusion and belonging, supported by deep-rooted core values, one of which is diversity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

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