Vice President - Maintenance of Way (MoW) Chief Engineer

Metropolitan Transportation Authority; New York (NY); On-site; USD 190,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is seeking a Vice President - Maintenance of Way & Chief Engineer to lead engineering functions, ensuring safety and reliability of fixed infrastructure systems. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in rail industry practices and strong leadership skills. Responsibilities include overseeing maintenance programs, safety strategies, and budget management. This role is critical for aligning engineering initiatives with organizational goals and ensuring compliance with regulations.

Qualifications

• Minimum of fifteen years of senior level management experience.
• Strong knowledge of American rail industry operating practices.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership for Engineering across M of W.
• Ensure timely, effective inspection and maintenance of all infrastructure.
• Lead department-wide safety strategies.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Project Management

Analytical Skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Civil, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering

Professional Engineering (P.E.) license

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Vice President - Maintenance of Way (MoW) Chief Engineer

Vice President - Maintenance of Way (MoW) Chief Engineer

3 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Job Title

Vice President - Maintenance of Way & Chief Engineer

Description

Position at Metro-North Railroad

POSTING NO.

11681

Job Title

Vice President - Maintenance of Way & Chief Engineer

Dept/Div

Maintenance of Way (MofW)

WORK LOCATION:

420 Lexington Avenue, (Graybar)

FULL/PART-TIME

FULL

Salary Range

$ 190,724 - $ 259,661

Deadline

Until Filled

Metro-North Railroad reserves the right to remove this posting before the Application Deadline.

Opening

MTA Metro-North Railroad is a dynamic organization, operating out of the jewel of New York City, Grand Central Terminal. We provide service to over 86.5 million customers, traveling in and out of New York and Connecticut. A subsidiary of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Metro-North Railroad is one of the busiest commuter railroads in the nation. MTA Metro-North Railroad strives to provide a safe and reliable commute, excellent customer service, and rewarding opportunities to its employees.

Position Objective

The Vice President, Maintenance of Way & Chief Engineer is responsible for the overall leadership, direction, and strategic management of Metro-North Railroad's Engineering functions within the Maintenance of Way (M of W) Department. This role ensures the safety, reliability, and state-of-good-repair of all fixed infrastructure systems, including Track, Structures, Power, Signal, PTC, and Communications assets. The Vice President serves as a key member of the leadership team, supporting the SVP and standing in when required. This position plays a vital role in aligning Engineering initiatives with the organization's strategic goals, operational needs, regulatory requirements, and budgetary constraints.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership for Engineering across M of W, aligning departmental goals with Metro-North's strategic mission, values, and objectives while driving continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, innovation, system reliability, and operational efficiency.
• Lead department-wide safety strategies through development and enforcement of a structured, measurable Departmental System Safety Plan. Reinforce safety culture at all leadership levels, ensuring consistent messaging and best practices across 2500+ employees. Monitor and report performance metrics related to safety and compliance, presenting outcomes to internal stakeholders and external agencies including the MTA Board, when required.
• Develop, track, and utilize Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to monitor departmental productivity, effectiveness, and goal achievement; use data insights to inform decisions and improve outcomes.
• Ensure timely, effective inspection and maintenance of all infrastructure and systems in accordance with federal, state, and MNR standards.
• Oversee development of short- and long-term capital and maintenance programs (1-, 5-, 20-year plans), ensuring appropriate allocation of budget, staffing, and equipment.
• Cultivate a collaborative, empowered, and results-driven organizational culture through strong leadership, mentorship, and engagement. Enhance employee performance and career growth through proactive development initiatives, training, and succession planning.
• Lead annual budget development, long-range financial planning, and departmental hiring plans. Ensure M of W operations align with capital and operating budgets through sound fiscal oversight and process controls.
• Oversee Materials Management, Procurement, Data, Finance/Budget, Force Accounts, and Corporate Compliance functions for the M of W department.
• Represent Metro-North at industry events, public hearings, and government oversight engagements.
• Collaborate with union leadership and support Labor Relations in negotiations, issue resolution, and implementation of agreements.
• Stay informed of best practices and innovations through participation in engineering forums and transportation panels.
  
  

Required Qualifications

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of American rail industry operating practices and federal, state and local regulations as they relate to the Track, Signal, Communications, Structures and Traction Power disciplines on electrified commuter rail systems.
• Must have experience with the maintenance and construction of track, communications, signal, PTC, Structures or traction power fixed assets on an electrified commuter rail system.
• Demonstrable leadership skills to motivate and foster teamwork not only within the M of W Departments but other departments at MNR, CDOT, MTA, MTA agencies, NJ Transit, Amtrak and other entities as applicable.
• Demonstrable leadership skills in the areas of safety, performance and crisis management.
• Must be a competent and seasoned leader who will develop the capacities of the organization, have the experience to implement organizational change with strong judgment, problem solving and decision-making skills.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to create a climate of continuous improvement.
• Outstanding communication skills with a prominence on effective public speaking, use of diplomacy, tact resulting in positive employee relations within a political/unionized environment.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office and / or comparable applications.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to recommend improvements or replacements to better support the track engineering systems
• Strong project management, forecasting and coordination skills which includes quality control and quality assurance measures within adherence to deadlines.
• Strong analytical skills in order to analyze new and existing products and/or procedures.
• Knowledge of FRA and OSHA regulations and AREMA practices as they relate to Track, Communication and Signal, traction power, rail equipment components and operation.
• Familiar with budgeting practices.
• A demonstrated ability to effectively interact with a represented workforce and labor leaders.
• Must have a valid Driver's license.
• Must be able to work outside of normal working hours as needed to support maintenance and construction projects.
• Ability to respond to emergencies on a 24/7 basis and be available for routine weekend coverage.
  
  

The Following Is/are Preferred

• Familiarity with Metro-North Policies and Procedures.
• Familiarity with Metro-North collective bargaining agreements.
  
  

Required Education And Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering.
• A Professional Engineering (P.E.) license.
• Minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible, senior level management experience on an electrified commuter rail system encompassing the management of a railroad maintenance organization, engineering, capital programs, labor management and agreements, and budget process and personnel control.
• Minimum ten (10) year's experience in managing a diverse group of employees at various levels.
  
  

Other Information

This position is safety-sensitive and subject to toxicological testing.

According to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the "Commission").

Employees driving company vehicles must complete defensive driver training once every three years for current MNR drivers; or within 180 days of hire or transfer for an employee entering an authorized driving position.

Equal Employment Opportunity

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including those concerning veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.

Required

Preferred

Job Industries

• Maintenance & Janitorial

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Executive

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Other

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