Transit Fleet Modernization & Technical Services Lead

Octa; Orange (CA); On-site; USD 117,000 - 161,000; Full time

Job summary

OCTA is seeking a Transit Technical Services Manager to lead planning, procurement, refurbishment, and performance management of the agency’s bus fleet and related technologies.

The role oversees multimillion‑dollar projects, manages budgets and schedules, mentors project managers, and ensures regulatory compliance across lifecycle engineering campaigns. Strong leadership and cross‑department collaboration are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related field.
• Five+ years in engineering/transportation/operations/vehicle manufacturing or related field.
• Three+ years of senior-level project management experience.
• Two+ years of management experience.
• Experience in rolling stock procurement preferred.
• Strong technical, analytical, budgeting, scheduling and leadership skills.
• Ability to resolve complex technical issues with no clear procedures.
• Excellent communication and mentoring skills; ability to lead teams and influence cross‑department collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, development, and execution of multimillion‑dollar rolling stock procurements and fleet modernization initiatives.
• Develop technical specifications, engineering requirements, project schedules, lifecycle cost analyses, budgets, and funding recommendations.
• Manage resources, budgets, schedules, metrics, and communicate risks to executive management and committees.
• Coordinate with CAMM to support procurement, contract administration, and communications.
• Ensure revenue vehicles are specified, procured, accepted, and deployed in compliance with contract requirements while supporting new technologies.
• Direct preventive and predictive maintenance strategies and fleet performance improvements.
• Prepare and present the Section budget, establish engineering performance measures, ensure regulatory compliance.
• Mentor staff, supervise career development, and develop asset/inventory management strategies.

Skills

Project management

Budgets & scheduling

Engineering leadership

Rolling stock procurement

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Mentoring staff

Cross‑dept collaboration

Education

Bachelors in mechanical engineering

Job description

OCTA is seeking a Transit Technical Services Manager to lead planning, procurement, refurbishment, and performance management of the agency’s bus fleet and related technologies.

The role oversees multimillion‑dollar projects, manages budgets and schedules, mentors project managers, and ensures regulatory compliance across lifecycle engineering campaigns. Strong leadership and cross‑department collaboration are essential.