Director Engineering

Job Summary

Provide leadership, direction and oversight to the System Communication Engineering group involved in the planning, design, development, operations and maintenance of communication infrastructure systems. This position is responsible for management of the workforce that installs and maintains all communications and radio infrastructure in the Northeast Corridor. Develop and manage standards & specifications, design, and capital planning & program development. Coordinate with IT and stakeholders of Amtrak Engineering’s communication infrastructure to ensure operational goals are met. The position is also responsible for representing the Chief Engineer and Deputy Chief Engineer C&S in providing strategic and technical leadership to the Engineering Systems group in the design, development, and implementation of the Engineering department’s Infrastructure Management Systems for C&S related assets

Essential Functions

• Oversee development of standards, specifications, engineering practices and design, as well as implementation, and maintenance of communication infrastructure.
• Assist the Deputy Chief Engineer C&S in the development of the C&S department’s annual capital and maintenance programs.
• Asset management
• Oversee the efforts to define and document inspection, and maintenance business processes that will be included in the Infrastructure Management Systems.
• Serve as a member of the Engineering Department’s Systems Stakeholder/Steering Committees responsible to define the department’s management information and decision support system goals and objectives.
• Act as liaison with Engineering and IT development project teams to:
• Establish the high-level systems requirements.
• Define goals and objectives to establish project priorities.
• Give executive level direction and guidance to the project teams.
• Provide business acceptance of project products and deliverables.
• Represent the System C&S Engineering group on behalf of the Deputy Chief Engineer C&S in dealings with regulatory authorities, freight railroads and commuter agencies which interface with Amtrak on matters related to C&S engineering.
• Maintain industry contacts and membership in industry associations to determine industry best practices and their application at Amtrak.
• Provide management oversight of the engineering team that supervises force
• Account during the installation and periodic maintenance of engineering communication, security and radio systems.
• Verifying all work on related systems fully match the corporate standards and system requirements.
• Review and maintain operational service level agreements, maintenance support issues, warranties, and support contracts for engineering communication, radio and data systems.
• Assist in project management during the installation of new communication, radio, security and data systems.
• Coordinates the efficient use of labor, material, equipment, and other resources.
• Interface with other Amtrak departments, customers and contractor/vendor team members.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent combination of education, training and/or relevant experience.
• Plus 11 years of relevant work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering with eleven years relevant experience or fifteen years equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• 10 years of experience in responsible positions dealing with railway engineering and maintenance.
• Master’s degree in electrical engineering with thirteen years relevant experience or seventeen years equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Experience in field management of railway C&S engineering forces.
• Knowledge of Amtrak systems and Strategic Plan
• Knowledge and understanding of various IP networking technologies.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Must be able to represent Amtrak at industry (AREMA, FRA, TTCI, APTA) meetings and committees
• Experience in design, installation and maintenance of telecommunications, security and radio infrastructure.
• Experience working in project management and technical supervision of maintenance and project delivery personnel.
• Experience working with diverse voice and data communications technologies and protocols, both wired (copper/fiber) and wireless (radio).
• Experience with fiber optic distribution systems.
• Experience with inside plant and outside plant copper and fiber cable installation and management.
• Knowledge of wireless voice and data communications technologies.
• Ability to understand design trade-offs and budgetary implications
• Must be able to quickly understand differences between freight and passenger standards
• Skills in advanced leadership and management; effective writing and presentations; conducting meetings and interviews; interpersonal communications; time management; conflict resolution and conducting formal investigations
• Skill in project management
• Must have demonstrated experience in communications, radio and security system support.
• Must be able to interface with all levels of employees and both external and internal customers.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills with the ability to relate complex technical issues to both technical and non-technical staff.
• Experience managing and supervising technical maintenance personnel.
• Must be proficient at using Microsoft Visio and Office products to document all projects and systems.
• Some experience with the finance system and invoice processing