Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Anchorage, AK
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2026-087
Department: Alaska Railroad Corporation
Opening Date: 10/23/2026
Position Open To: All Applicants
Bargaining Unit: RR - Non Represented
Range: NR12
Job Description ( ( ( ( ( ARRC Employees Only ) ) ) ) )PURPOSE OF POSITION:Manages Alaska Railroad train control systems and related projects to support the safe and efficient movement of trains on ARRC tracks and advance ARRC goals and initiatives.
Duties and Responsibilities:Directs the maintenance and management of ARRC train control systems. Manages ARRC's Positive Train Control system to support the safe and efficient movement of trains and ensure compliance with applicable federal regulations and mandates. Collaborates with and assists ARRC departments, as needed, to maintain PTC procedures and training. Conducts research to remain current on industry trends and support an effective, safety-critical system.
Supervises and manages ATCS employees to accomplish daily and long-term work assignments. Sets priorities and assigns tasks to ATCS team leads and individual team members. Maintains team focus, encourages high morale, and ensures performance objectives are met.
Creatively and independently provides resolution to technical problems in a cost-effective manner. Develops, tracks, and controls capital and operating budgets. Develops business case justifications and cost/benefit analyses for capital project spending and initiatives.
Develops the Department's short- and long-range goals and objectives and sets performance objectives for team members. Manages and provides feedback on team progress and success against established goals, objectives, and schedules.
FACTOR 1: Technical and Operational KnowledgeThorough knowledge of train control aspects of railroad operations, including computer-aided dispatch and positive train control systems, is required. Knowledge of geomatics, the General Code of Operating Rules, and track maintenance practices is preferred. Expert knowledge of project management principles, planning concepts, methods, and practices is preferred. In-depth knowledge of applicable laws and regulations as they relate to PTC technology, telecommunications, and railroad signaling issues is preferred.
FACTOR 2: Personal SkillsThe incumbent must be exceptionally self-motivated and directed, with a strong service orientation. Excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills are required. Strong tactical skills are needed to oversee the department's day-to-day operations and implementation activities. A thorough understanding of the organization's goals and objectives is also required.
FACTOR 3: Leadership, Supervision and ControlThe incumbent directs and manages the ATCS Department and its employees. The incumbent also manages contract employees and related contracts in support of ARRC corporate objectives. The incumbent directs and controls the annual operating and capital budgets. The incumbent establishes ATCS policies and procedures to ensure real-time, round-the-clock support for all ARRC train control systems within the department's purview. The incumbent oversees quality assurance for software that supports the safe and efficient movement of trains on ARRC tracks and ATCS technology programs and projects. Proven leadership ability is required, including the ability to set and manage priorities judiciously and motivate employees in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.
FACTOR 4: CommunicationCommunications are with ARRC employees and management, customers, vendors, and government officials in support of ARRC corporate goals. The incumbent may be required to present, justify, defend, negotiate, or settle matters involving significant or controversial issues, such as recommendations that change the nature and scope of programs or projects and often involve substantial expenditures. The incumbent must often actively participate in conferences, meetings, hearings, or presentations involving problems or issues of considerable consequence or importance. The incumbent must work constructively and knowledgeably with individuals who have diverse viewpoints, goals, or objectives. The incumbent must develop a common understanding of issues and work toward satisfactory solutions through persuasion, compromise, or suitable alternatives that align with ARRC interests and corporate goals. The ability to communicate ideas effectively to both technical and nontechnical audiences is required.
FACTOR 5: Analytical Skills and ImpactThe employee uses judgment and ingenuity and exercises broad latitude in the area of ARRC train control systems and projects to: determine the intent of applicable guidelines; develop policy and guidelines for specific areas of work; and formulate interpretations that may take the form of policy statements and guidelines. Superior analytical, evaluative, and problem-solving abilities are required.
The incumbent must be familiar with developing project plans, schedules, and progress reports, as well as procurement processes, budgets, and cost-control methods. This knowledge is necessary to ensure projects are completed on schedule and within budget; materials and services are delivered as specified; and costs are controlled, monitored, and reported in accordance with ARRC Finance and federal grant-reporting procedures.
The incumbent must be able to manage, oversee, and direct all phases of assigned projects, including analyzing options, identifying opportunities for performance and cost improvements, and making sound mid-project decisions to support the functional effectiveness and long-term economic feasibility of final project deliverables.
FACTOR 6: Working ConditionsThe position is located in a corporate office environment; however, travel along the Railbelt and out of state is required. The incumbent may sit for extended periods of time. Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other computing equipment is necessary. Duties may require visits to the shop, yard areas, and outside work sites while overseeing testing and implementation of ARRC train control systems. The incumbent may receive calls outside normal business hours in support of ARRC's production train control systems.
Minimum QualificationsA bachelor's degree in transportation, logistics, computer science, business administration, engineering, information systems, telecommunications, or a related field and five (5) years of experience leading, managing, implementing, supporting, testing, maintaining, engineering, administering, or overseeing train control systems, train control programs, or train control projects are required.
Ten (10) years of railroad operational, signaling, telecommunications, train control systems, Positive Train Control (PTC), systems engineering, or related railroad technology experience may substitute for the degree requirement.
Excellent knowledge of train control systems, telecommunications, networks, programming, signaling systems, or related railroad technologies is required.
The above reflects only the more significant details of the position and is not intended to be all-inclusive.
Additional Required InformationIMPORTANT: Your application must clearly show how you meet each minimum qualification listed for this position. Do not assume reviewers will infer qualifications from job titles or general descriptions of duties. Applications are screened based on the information submitted.
Include all required and desired qualifications in your Applicant Profile and/or Resume. For any relevant experience, provide the employer name, job title, dates of employment, and whether the position was full-time or part-time.
Failure to provide sufficient information on your application to verify that you meet the minimum qualifications may result in disqualification from further consideration. Applicants who clearly demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualifications will be evaluated along with other qualified applicants and may be considered for the next phase of the recruitment process.
Contact Information Alaska Railroad Human Resources Department E-Mail:
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 107500, Anchorage, AK 99510-7500
Street Address: 327 West Ship Creek, Anchorage, AK
Fax Number: (907) 265-2542
Alaska Railroad Corporation BenefitsThe following briefly describes the main benefits available to regular employees of the Alaska Railroad Corporation. Actual benefits differ by bargaining unit.
Retirement PlansARRC Pension Plan - Participation is mandatory. You are automatically enrolled in the Plan when you meet the eligibility requirement of your bargaining unit. Employees contribute 9% of their Earnings on a pre-tax basis. The Railroad is exempt from participation in Social Security; however, Medicare Tax is withheld. Participants vest with 5 years of eligible Vesting Service which entitles one to receive a pension benefit at retirement age.
Tier 2 Description (Employees hired after July 1, 2015)Normal Retirement Age is age 65, however, the plan allows one to retire as early as age 60. The formula for a monthly Normal Retirement Benefits is 2% x Final Average Earnings x all Credited Service.
Early retirement, survivor and disability benefits are available for vested participants.
401(k) Tax Deferred Savings Plan - Participation is optional. You may enroll once you meet the eligibility requirement of your bargaining unit. Depending on the bargaining unit, there may be an employer match.
457 Deferred Compensation Plan - Participation is optional for non-represented employees.
Insurance and Flexible Spending Plans All plans are optional except the RR Dental Plan for bargaining unit employees.
Health Insurance PlanA comprehensive health insurance plan, self-insured by the ARRC and administered by Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska. Coverage is also available for the employee's spouse and dependent children. ARRC and the participant share the premium cost. Bargaining unit employees are Eligibility after 90 days, and non-represented employees are eligible as of the date of hire.
The Railroad offers a Prefered Provider Organization plan (PPO Blue Essentials) and a Consumer Directed Healthcare Plan with a Health Saving Account (Gold Essentials). The Plans have the following features.
The Railroad also offers two dental plans.
The Railroad National Dental for represented employees.
The Alaska Railroad Optional Dental Plan for both represented and non-represented employees.
Paid Leave & Holidays Vacation Leave -accrual per bi-weekly pay period:
Represented Employees
0-3 Years of Service = 4 Hours
>3-15 Years of Service = 6 Hours
>15 Years of Service = 8 Hours
Non-Represented Employees
0-3 Years of Service = 6 Hours
>3-15 Years of Service = 8 Hours
>15 Years of Service = 10 Hours
Sick Leave: accrues at 4 hours (Represented) or 2 hours (Non-Represented) per pay period.
11 Paid holidays
For additional information regarding these benefits, please go to
01
Do you have a bachelor's degree in transportation, logistics, computer science, business administration, engineering, information systems, telecommunications, or a related field?
02
Does your work history reflect five (5) years of experience leading, managing, implementing, supporting, testing, maintaining, engineering, administering, or overseeing train control systems, train control programs, or train control projects?
03
Does your work history reflect ten (10) years of railroad operational, signaling, telecommunications, train control systems, Positive Train Control (PTC), systems engineering, or related railroad technology experience? (This may substitute for the degree requirement.)
04
Do you possess excellent knowledge of train control systems, telecommunications, networks, programming, signaling systems, or related railroad technologies?
05
Are you able to perform this position's duties with or without reasonable accommodations?
Required Question
