Supervisor of Power Engineering

MBTA; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The MBTA seeks a Supervisor of Power Engineering to assist the Deputy Director in directing the Power Engineering group’s work, covering utility/substation operations, system control, traction power, facility electrical services, records, and documentation.

The role requires leadership of up to twenty engineers, oversight of design and construction coordination, and development of operating plans, with emphasis on safety, reliability, and compliance across multiple shifts and sites in the Boston

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering.
• Five years of recent power systems design, troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance experience.
• Two years of supervisory experience leading a team.
• Experience with AC distribution systems and high voltage; familiarity with DC distribution.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, Database, PeopleSoft, or Mainframe.
• Ability to work any shift or location as required.
• Commitment to safety, EEO and respectful workplace policies.

Responsibilities

• Confers with the Deputy Director on operations, plans, and projected development.
• Schedule and assign daily work tasks for up to twenty engineering personnel.
• Mentor staff and report progress to the Deputy Director.
• Oversee inspection, testing, and analysis of materials and equipment.
• Lead development of power operating plans, charts, and records.
• Coordinate design and construction with engineers, consultants, and capital delivery teams.
• Provide input on maintainability and reliability of installations.
• Periodically inspect new power equipment for compliance with standards.
• Develop and maintain SOPs, design standards, and equipment specs.
• Manage department electrical assets, preventive and corrective maintenance.
• Respond to inquiries professionally; support emergencies and events.
• Work across shifts and locations as assigned; support 24/7 operations.
• Foster productive relations with employees; enforce policies.
• Perform other duties and projects as assigned.

Skills

Power Systems

Supervisory Experience

Electrical Principles

Project Coordination

Industrial Safety

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Word

Excel

Database

PeopleSoft

Mainframe

Job description

At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA’s core values are built around safety, service, equity, sustainability, culture, and accessibility, and each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.

Job Summary

The Supervisor of Power Engineering will assist the Deputy Director of Power in directing and controlling the Power Engineering group's work, providing engineering services across all aspects of the Power Department, including utility/substation operations, system control, traction power, facility electrical services, records, and documentation.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Responsible for conferring with the Deputy Director on problems involving normal operations, changes in plans and procedures, and projected future development.
• Schedule and assign daily work tasks for up to twenty (20) engineering personnel; monitor performance and progress; coach/mentor; and report status to the Deputy Director.
• Maintain proper discipline of personnel under their supervision regarding rule violations, poor work performance, absenteeism, and other conditions requiring employee discipline.
• Manage inspection, testing, and analysis activities for materials and equipment used by the Power Systems Maintenance Department s .
• Lead a team and supervise the preparation and updating of power operating plans, charts, maps, graphs, prints, and records.
• Oversee the preparation of field surveys, studies, designs and specifications, working drawings and reports as required. Assist in maintaining close coordination with the Authority's engineers, consultants, and Capital Delivery regarding design and construction of all new and updated power systems.
• Provide input on the maintainability of proposed installations and the reliability of products and methods to be employed.
• Periodically inspect construction of new power equipment to ensure that the finished facility conforms to recommended maintenance and repair standards and applicable codes.
• Responsible for the development and maintenance of department-wide Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), design standards, and equipment specifications.
• Oversee the management of department electrical assets, including preventive maintenance scope and schedules, and corrective maintenance activities.
• Drive a company or personal vehicle to work locations and to assist at emergencies and/or events as needed.
• Respond to each inquiry, whether from a customer, vendor, or coworker in a professional and courteous manner.
• Work any and all shifts and/or locations as assigned or directed.
• Respond or report to work as directed by supervisory personnel for emergencies, extreme weather conditions, or any other abnormal conditions that impair service or the safety of service, twenty four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week.
• Uphold the rights and interests of the Authority while building and maintaining an effective and productive relationship with employees.
• Assist in the management of a workforce by ensuring the fair and consistent application and strict adherence to the rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the Authority, including the EEO, Anti-Discrimination, Anti-Harassment, and Anti-Retaliation policies.
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

Additional responsibilities may include focus on one or more departments or locations. See applicable addendum for department- or location-specific functions.

Supervision

• Responsible for approximately eleven (11) direct reports and manages the Power Engineering work throughput, including contractors that work as an extension of PSM.

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering.
• Five (5) years of recent experience in the design, troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance of power systems, including overhead and underground utilities.
• Two (2) years of supervisory experience managing a team, including but not limited to motivation and performance management.
• Experience with AC distribution systems and high voltage. Familiarity with DC distribution systems.
• Effective organizational, analytical, confidentiality, multitasking, time management, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong working knowledge of Word, Excel, Database, PeopleSoft, or Mainframe applications.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information in an appropriate manner.
• Excellent customer service, conflict resolution, writing, and speaking skills.
• Ability to work any and all shifts and/or locations as assigned or directed.
• Ability to supervise and work effectively with a diverse workforce.
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with a courteous and professional experience.

Substitutions

• A bachelor's degree in Engineering in a non-electrical discipline with the demonstrated ability to comprehend power/electrical systems, and additional years of experience in the design, maintenance,e and construction of overhead and underground power lines and equipment.

Preferred Experience & Skills

• None.

Job Conditions

• Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program.
• Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
• Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required).
• Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
• Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
• Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
• Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
• Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
• Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op. Additionally, interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting pre-employment screenings / pre-boarding, working in their positions, and throughout the duration of their program.

Disclaimers And Definitions

• General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.
• Application Completion: It is each applicant’s responsibility to ensure application details are entered completely and correctly, including updated work and education histories (past and current). Incomplete applications may not be considered. Attachments do not substitute for application fields. The recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history.
• Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.
• Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.
• Work Eligibility: All employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States and on an unrestricted basis. The MBTA does not have an employer work sponsorship program. However, if you have unrestricted work authorization, or are sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply. Further, all persons hired will require a U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting the position and employees will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
• Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one‑time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview. In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.
• Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.
• On‑call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.
• Essential / Emergency Staff: During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.
• ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTA's ADA Unit at 617-222-5751 or [e-mail] .
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer . For terms, descriptions, and definitions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, veteran status, and immediate family members that you may find on the application form, please visit mbta.com/careers-app-definitions.
• Intern / Co‑Op Benefits: Employees taking part in an internship or co‑op at the MBTA are eligible to receive accrued paid sick leave as well as a monthly transportation pass, based on the city from which the intern / co‑op commutes to work, at no cost. However, no additional benefits are currently offered for interns or co‑ops.