Overhead Contact System Electrification Engineer

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Primary Responsibilities

The primary duties of the Overhead Contact System Electrification Engineer include design production for rail systems projects pertaining to traction electrification overhead contact systems (OCS) distribution.  This person will be involved in electrified rail and transit projects throughout North America and Internationally.  The engineer will have specific responsibilities performing design, providing leadership of specific design packages for multiple projects, as well as coordinating the assembly of plans and specifications, and construction support.  This position supports various rail and transit projects throughout North America to serve the contract requirements and respond to client needs.  

The successful candidate will have experience in developing technical specifications, criteria, drawings and calculations for AC and DC overhead contact systems, and the interfaces to traction power systems, structures and rail and bus vehicles.  As such, the candidate will have the ability to proactively lead tasks between technical groups and be innovative in solving complex challenges.

• Project work will include overhead contact wire distribution design for Streetcar, Light Rail, Heavy Rail, Commuter Rail and High-Speed Rail Projects operating on Overhead Contact systems. 

• Design work would include overhead contact system components, schematics, layouts and calculations needed for equipment sizing and allocation, general arrangements, typicals, and allocation drawings.

• Work location would include both Home Office and short-term travel to cities installing or planning to install Electrified Transit Systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• 7 years of experience from previous consultant firms, rail transit construction or transit agency experience.  

• AC/DC traction electrification, overhead contact and distribution system design and implementation is required

• Experience in the construction of OCS electrification is desirable

• Experience with steel and concrete design and associated codes, i.e. AISC, ACI, AASHTO and other applicable codes.

• Familiarity with foundation design and associated software i.e. LPile

• Familiarity with structural design software such as SAP2000, STAAD, LARSA, or similar.

• Familiarity with the NESC and applying it in an OCS context.

• Must have excellent organizational and communication skills

Skills and additional attributes

Individual must be technically competent, with recognized rail specialization that resolves problems of significant scope and complexity.  The individual should have industry standing in technical committees in the electrification field. In addition to performing design work by themselves, the Individual will be required to coordinate work of a small group of professionals and technicians. Experience with direct client interface and complete project life cycle (design to commissioning) is highly desirable. 

Keywords: Overhead Contact System (OCS), Traction Electrification Engineer, Rail Electrification Engineer, Railway Electrification, Transit Electrification, Power Distribution (Rail), Traction Power Systems, AC/DC Electrification, Electrified Rail Systems, Overhead Contact System Design, Contact Wire Distribution, Catenary Systems, OCS Components, OCS Schematics, OCS Layouts, Equipment Sizing & Allocation, Electrification Calculations, General Arrangement Drawings, Typical Sections & Allocation Drawings, Technical Specifications, Design Criteria Development, Interface Design (Power, Structures, Rolling Stock)

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