Senior Systems Engineer - Testing & Commissioning - (Term-Limited Employment)

SoundTransit; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 78,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Benefits

Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance

401a retirement plan with 12% match

Tuition Reimbursement up to $5,000 annually

Job summary

SoundTransit in Seattle, WA is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer for Testing and Commissioning. This role involves overseeing testing integration across multiple systems, ensuring project readiness, and providing independent assessments for testing phases.

The ideal candidate will have at least five years of experience in systems engineering, a relevant Bachelor's degree, and strong communication skills. Salary ranges from $78k to $180k, commensurate with experience. A comprehensive benefits package is offered.

Qualifications

• Five years of experience in systems engineering and testing.
• Experience in the rail or transit-related environment preferred.
• Ability to manage projects with contractors and/or consultants.

Responsibilities

• Manage all systems integration test activities for projects.
• Review project schedules and identify shortcomings.
• Coordinate with various teams during testing phases.

Skills

Advanced understanding of testing principles in transit projects

Project controls and project planning

Ability to analyze complex testing issues

Good written communication and report writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Civil Engineering

Tools

Testing techniques and protocols

Project management tools

Job description

Salary range is $78k to $180k, with a midpoint of $129k. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retirement Plans: 401a - 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b - up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• Pet Insurance discount.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Inclusive Reproductive Health Support Services.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you'll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

This is a Term-Limited position with an anticipated duration of 5 years.

GENERAL PURPOSE

The Senior Systems Engineer - Testing and Commissioning as an individual contributor reporting to the Deputy Director of Testing and Commissioning, provides an independent and objective assessment of an individual project's readiness to perform systems integration testing and agency acceptance of results and any necessary workarounds. For the projects assigned to the individual, this role provides oversight of the integration of systems elements including traction power, train control, communications, trackwork, rail vehicles, and Station and maintenance facilities including mechanical/tunnel ventilation, electrical and civil.

The responsibilities also include oversight of the management and assignment of all test resources and personnel through regular reporting on schedule performance and risk management of testing and commissioning activities; interface with agency engineers to review and develop detailed test procedures, reports, and discrepancy resolutions; interface and coordination with ST Deputy Director Testing and Commissioning, Project Management team, and members of the Rail Activation Committee and King County Metro (3rd party operator); reporting of systems integration test activities, schedule, and status to the assigned Sr, Rail Activation Manager. Provides independent and objective review of project readiness in testing and commissioning for concurrence by agency leadership.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Manage all owner led systems integration test activities.
• Review of Project schedule for design, submittals, construction and testing and identify any short comings.
• Review and concurrence of Contractor's Systems Integration Test Plan.
• Review and concurrence of Contractor's Systemwide Testing and Commissioning Plan.
• Review and concurrence of Schedule for Level 1 testing to be performed at factories and Level 2 testing at the project site. Observe factory testing as required.
• Ensure that all test procedures are reviewed and approved prior to any testing.
• Review and concurrence on readiness of pre-requisites met for each Systems Integrated Test.
• Conduct/participate in Systems Integration meetings with ST and Contractor.
• Prepare reports.
• Hold regular Systems Integration Test Coordination meetings to update status and schedule.
• Coordinate the Systems Integration Test schedule with the project master schedule.
• Provide 3-week look ahead Systems Integration Test and activities schedule.
• Prior to scheduling the integrated tests, confirm all integration test pre-requisites are met and open items closed.
• Coordinate with project Systems Manager regarding plan to address any Level 2 open items prior to Level 3 Systems Integration Testing.
• Coordinate with project Systems Manager for required Systems' sub-contractor support during systems integration testing.
• Coordinate with the Project's Electrical and Mechanical leads for required sub-contractor support during systems integration testing.
• Validate clear lines of accountability for all test personnel including the Test Directors.
• Coordinate with Track Allocation Coordinator to schedule access to the project site for integration testing.
• Participate in SIT Tigger-Team, as required.
• Coordinate with FLSC and System Safety & Security Certification Task Lead for the certification requirements during integration tests.
• Review and concur all integration test procedures and reports.
• Maintain an Integration Discrepancy Log with corrective actions.
• Schedule systems integration re-test, as required to resolve and close all discrepancies.
• Coordinate and interface with Systems and/or other discipline design leads
• Coordinate and interface with ST Systems Manager
• Participate in Systems Integration Testing and Start-up to provide oversight on critical or agency owned tests.
• Participate in ST Rail Activation Committee meetings, as required.
• Support SIT Level 3 and Rail Activation Phase, as required.
• Participate in Emergency Readiness drills and Safety Certification.
• Participate in Pre-Revenue operations tests.
• Provide weekly testing and commissioning schedule assessment to senior rail activation manager for activation reporting.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit's Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or closely related field. Five years experience in the area of systems engineering, preferably in a rail or transit related environment, testing and commissioning lead experience including preparing, interpreting, and executing testing on complex projects; performing root cause, troubleshooting, and repair of test issues; and managing projects with contractors and/or consultants; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Licenses or Certifications:

• Valid state driver's license. This role is responsible for construction sites visits and other field locations, that might not be easily accessible by public transportation.

Preferred Licenses or Certifications:

• Professional Engineer.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Advanced understanding of principles and practices of testing and commissioning in transit projects, preferably rail projects.
• Experience in project controls, project planning, and program management.
• Understand and use of system test techniques to specify and execute tests.
• Knowledge of railway systems to include, Signaling, Traction Power, Overhead Catenary, and Communications systems.
• Understanding of processes for the safety critical system e.g. requirement and specifications application development process
• Ability to analyze and troubleshoot complex testing and commissioning integration issues and identify critical issues that affect safety and reliability of transit system.
• Ability to identify mitigation strategies to support timely delivery of projects such as identifying of potential workarounds to meet the desired outcome.
• Ability to work both independently and within a team environment with the capability to coordinate and interface within a multi-disciplinary project team.
• Good written communication skills and report writing acumen.
• Knowledge of requirements of local jurisdictions including WSDOT.
• Good communication and team leading skills.
• Self-motivated with the ability to multi-task.
• Experience in systems engineering and integration.
• Knowledge of Stations MEP requirements.
• Ability to author technical specifications for testing and commissioning and define process and procedures for test documentation.
• Ability to analyze a project schedule and assess critical path and risk, including identification of opportunities for schedule recovery.
• Ability to assess testing and commissioning risk and impact to schedule, safety and reliability of system.
• Performing root cause analysis, troubleshooting, and repair of technical testing issues.

Physical Demands / Work Environment

• Work is performed in a hybrid office, field, and shop environment.
• Positions working in field may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, physical harm, hazardous chemicals, and/or extreme noise.
• This role is responsible for traversing around various construction sites and equipment for testing; may be subject to bending, eye/hand coordination, grasping, hearing, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, repetitive motion, sitting, standing, talking, seeing, walking, lifting and carrying objects up to 14 pounds.
• This role will be expected to work nights and weekends as necessary to complete testing.
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.