Manager, Train Control Systems

San Mateo County Transit District

Full-time - Manager

Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation

About the position

The Manager, Train Control Systems is a pivotal role within the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (Caltrain), reporting directly to the Sr. Manager of Systems Engineering. This position is responsible for the oversight and management of complex back-office train control systems engineering work. The role encompasses a wide range of responsibilities, including the installation, modification, maintenance, and upgrade of the District's Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), known as the Rail Operations Control System (ROCS), as well as the SCADA overlay for electrified catenary operations, Passenger Information Systems, and Positive Train Control (PTC) related back-office subsystems and interfaces. In this capacity, the Manager will oversee the Predictive Arrival and Departure System (PADS), onboard digital messaging systems, station digital messaging, and third-party data feeds such as GTFS. The role also includes ensuring that Caltrain systems meet Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) mandated interoperability requirements with all tenant railroads and that they are compatible with Association of American Railroads (AAR) standards. The Manager will be responsible for managing complex and large-scale train control engineering projects, supervising staff, and ensuring compliance with established policies and procedures. The position requires the establishment and maintenance of work relationships with internal and external stakeholders to develop consensus on capital project work plans. The Manager will also be responsible for providing general technical oversight of railroad train control systems, performing system usage and performance analyses, and managing all technology refresh and software upgrades/updates without interrupting regular railroad operations. Additionally, the Manager will participate in the preparation and administration of the train control engineering program budget, monitor expenditures, and evaluate job performance of staff, ensuring their professional development through the identification of on-the-job and other opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the installation, modification, maintenance, and upgrade of the District's Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) referred to as Rail Operations Control System (ROCS).
• Oversee the Predictive Arrival and Departure System (PADS), onboard digital messaging systems, and third-party data feeds such as GTFS.
• Develop and ensure the quality of system engineering support for PTC office systems, including Back Office Server (BOS) and Rail Operations Control System (ROCS).
• Establish policies and procedures for Train Control Systems and ensure compliance.
• Manage complex and large-scale train control engineering projects.
• Supervise staff, including hiring, mentoring, and taking corrective actions as necessary.
• Establish and maintain work relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Review and approve project schedules and assist in strategic planning.
• Provide general technical oversight of railroad train control systems.
• Support Caltrain Configuration Management (CM) Manager on configuration control and participate in Configuration Control Board (CCB) meetings.
• Direct, review, and approve the preparation of train control engineering designs, drawings, and specifications.
• Manage technical elements of the office systems warranty and long-term maintenance support service agreements.
• Participate in the preparation and administration of the train control engineering program budget.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in electrical/electronics, computer science, or a related field.
• Five (5) years of railroad industry experience in Train Control System and SCADA system development and maintenance.
• Two (2) years supervisory experience.

Nice-to-haves

• Knowledge and experience with AIMCore Product/Software.
• Broad interdisciplinary knowledge of supervisory train control, wayside signal systems, and SCADA.
• Knowledge of operating systems (UNIX, Linux, Microsoft).
• Knowledge of VHF and UHF radio voice and data communications.
• Experience with Configuration Management and Quality Assurance Systems.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and Suite.

Benefits

• Seven (7) paid holidays, plus up to four (4) floating holidays per year.
• Up to 26 days paid time off per year.
• Cafeteria Plans: Medical, dental, vision care, group life insurance and more.
• Free Bus Transportation for employees and qualified dependents.
• Select positions are eligible to work remote up to 50% of the time.
• Pension: Social Security and California Public Employees Retirement Systems (CalPERS).