Vehicle Engineer

Location: Greenbelt Rail Facility

WMATA Reference: 250461

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is seeking a candidate committed to transit for a Vehicle Engineer position.

The position is in the Office of Bus Maintenance - Non-Revenue Vehicles. The department manages the acquisition of new non-revenue vehicles for use by the entire WMATA workforce. The ideal candidate is a critical thinker with a capacity for cross departmental engagement / collaboration and has automotive and truck maintenance knowledge.

Additionally, the Vehicle Engineer is responsible for ensuring that new non-revenue service vehicles and equipment purchased function safely and properly and that all vehicles meet the required specifications, follow standards and regulations.

Activities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Coordinate vehicle/equipment inspections, delivery and acceptance, commissioning, and decommissioning processes and adhere to schedules.
• Excellent understanding of the methodology of automotive technicians, aftermarket installers, and fabricators.
• Have thorough knowledge of automotive industry vehicles, their major systems, as well as vehicle design principles.
• Good knowledge and understanding of automotive industry manufacturing procedures, product quality and testing processes.

SUMMARY
The Vehicle Engineer is responsible for ensuring the design and maintenance integrity of rail car and maintenance vehicles, vehicle systems, subsystems and support equipment. Responsible for evaluating railcar system performance, condition and characteristics and, where appropriate, initiating and implementing modifications. Also responsible for integrating broadly stated policies or objectives into preventative or corrective maintenance programs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Principal Job Duties

• Tests vehicles using various test and data acquisition systems to evaluate operational performance parameters.
• Ensures that the requirements for new rapid transit cars, maintenance vehicles and their related systems, subsystems, and support equipment are included in WMATA specifications.
• Serves as project engineer for procurement of equipment or services related to rail cars and maintenance vehicles.
• Evaluates the performance of transit rail car and maintenance vehicle systems, subsystems and components to determine the nature and cause of problems that develop in the course of their operation and recommends corrective actions or special maintenance procedures that will eliminate future failures.
• Investigates and prepares reports on technical studies relating to design, compatibility, maintenance and testing requirements of rail car/track equipment systems and subsystems.
• Evaluates technical proposals, cost estimates, specifications, and designs for compliance with WMATA's operational needs.
• Develops technical specifications and designs for new vehicles and/or replacement equipment, develops implementation schedules and coordinates installation, monitors progress and schedules to ensure adherence to timetables, budgets and contract completion. Develops effective standards for equipment and system testing, determining cause and effect of maintenance failures.
• Directs the operational tests of rapid transit car systems and subsystems in coordination with maintenance or engineering personnel.
• Reviews equipment condition and reliability and recommends systems or subsystems for replacement or rehabilitation under the Capital Improvement Program. Performs life cycle cost analysis to determine effectiveness of current systems and equipment in meeting service requirements.
• Performs engineering and technical evaluation of new vehicles and newly installed, modified, or existing equipment to ensure conformity with WMATA¿s installation, performance and maintenance standards. Analyzes the above-mentioned modifications for potential effects in the area of rail car/track equipment cost, time requirements and reliability.
• Reviews contractor submittals, evaluate test procedures, maintenance manuals and inspection schedules for new equipment and recommend improvements to enhance reliability objectives.
• Develops preventive maintenance procedures for equipment and recommends adjustments to maintenance schedules as necessary to improve reliability or respond to changing operating conditions.

Other Duties

• Respond to incidents, conducts incident investigations and writes formal report of findings.
• Performs duties of the Roadway Worker in Charge as assigned in support of rail vehicle/maintenance of way equipment track testing.
• Performs engineering and design work to assist with maintaining Engineering documentation within the EPDM system, for the Configuration Control Management process. Ensures configuration control for technical documentation, maintenance manuals and drawings.
• Maintains and promotes awareness and accountability with safety policies and procedures while performing job functions. Promotes a positive safety culture and encourages reporting of safety concerns consistent with our Agency Safety Plan, other regulatory requirements within the Safety Management System and just culture principles.

The functions listed are not intended to limit specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Nor is it intended to limit in any way the right of managers and supervisors to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education
Bachelor's degree in mechanical, Electrical or a related Engineering field

In lieu of a bachelor's degree, a High School Diploma and four (4) years of experience performing vehicle engineering tasks (i.e. troubleshooting, vehicle/sub-system testing, component/sub-system design, development & review of technical documentation) may be considered.

Experience
Three (3) years of progressively responsible engineering experience performing rail/maintenance of way vehicle engineering tasks (i.e. troubleshooting, vehicle/sub-system testing, component/sub-system design, development & review of technical documentation).

Preferred
Experience in developing equipment specifications is desired

Medical Group:
Satisfactorily complete the medical examination for this position, if required. The incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of this position either with or without reasonable accommodations.

Evaluation Criteria:
Consideration will be given to applicants whose resumes demonstrate the required education and experience. Applicants should include all relevant education and work experience.

Evaluation criteria may include one or more of the following:

• Skills and/or behavioral assessment
• Personal interview
• Verification of education and experience (including certifications and licenses)
• Criminal background check (a criminal conviction is not an automatic bar to employment)
• Medical examination including a drug and alcohol screening (for safety-sensitive positions)
• Review of a current motor vehicle report

Closing:
WMATA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable federal law.

This posting is an announcement of a vacant position under recruitment. It is not intended to replace the official job description. Job descriptions are available upon confirmation of an interview.

To apply for this position, visit WMATA's Career Center

Equal Employment Opportunity