Salary: $124,467.00 Annually
Location : Arlington Avenue
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26-11347
Department: MBTA - Signals & Comm Maintenance
Area: 321-Signals
Opening Date: 06/08/2026
Closing Date: 6/22/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Licenses / Certifications: None Required
Union Affiliation: L453 Professional
Safety Sensitive: Yes; this is a Safety Sensitive position. Employees in this role will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.
Essential Classification (Emergency Staff): Yes; this position is classified as essential. Employees in this role are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by supervisory personnel during declared States of Emergency.
On-Call or 24/7: Yes; this position is classified as on-call or 24/7. Employees in this role must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as directed by supervisory personnel.

Job Summary
The OCS Linux Perl Administrator is responsible for the office software of the MBTA Operations Control System (OCS), a vital technological infrastructure that underpins the functionality of OCC's Train Control System. The Operations Control Center (OCC) is MBTA's nerve center, where teams of dispatchers, supervisors, and vehicle operators work together to provide efficient, safe, and reliable public transit via the Heavy-Rail (Red, Orange, Blue lines) and Light-Rail (Green line) train systems.
While this role will primarily focus on the software, scripts, and automation of the OCS, it is essential that the candidate has experience and understanding of Linux systems, networking, and using the command line. This role blends the typical duties of a software developer with general Linux administration and requires a creative problem-solver who thrives on variety while understanding the high stakes of real-time system operations. The OCS Linux Perl Administrator will also support the maintenance and enhancement of real-time data processing, field assets, and communication systems that empower the OCC to effectively oversee, control, and respond to the dynamic needs of the MBTA's transit network. The OCS Linux Perl Administrator will report directly to the Deputy Director of Operations Control System (OCS).

Duties & Responsibilities

• Responsible for supporting, maintaining, and enhancing the real-time distributed system used to manage the MBTA's Operations Control Center Train Control System.
• Respond to system emergencies (automated and end user identified) twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week.
• Monitor the software systems to detect hazards and the need for adjustments, corrections, and improvements.
• Work closely with the OCS team and stakeholders to improve the automated system monitoring and problem auto-resolution systems.
• Troubleshoot and document resolutions of failures with the control system.
• Design/implement/integrate new software systems and technologies into the Operations Control Center.
• Read, update, and create detailed documentation such as software design, implementation, testing, cutover, and maintenance documents.
• Create, review, and execute system test procedures.

• Create, execute, and analyze database reports and ad-hoc queries.
• MySQL database setup, configuration, and maintenance monitoring.
• Utilize change control and version management procedures.
• Maintain system backups.
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

Supervision

• None

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• Three (3) years of software engineering experience within Perl script programming and Linux/Unix operating systems. Working knowledge of:
• Web application development (PHP/JavaScript/HTML)
• C/C++ programming
• sh/bash/csh scripting
• SQL query
• Real-time systems programming
• Redundant systems programming
• Have excellent analytical, problem-solving, organizational, planning, multi-tasking, time management, documentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Have the ability to work any and all shifts and/or locations as assigned or directed; be available to work twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week.
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with a courteous and professional experience.
• Possess a valid driver's license.
• Candidates will be asked to demonstrate their Perl and Linux command-line abilities by completing a Perl script programming assessment utilizing the Linux command line and a text editor.

Substitutions Include

• A High School Diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor's degree requirement.
• An associate degree from an accredited institution with an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor's degree requirement.
• A master's degree in a related subject substitutes for two (2) years of general experience.
• A nationally recognized certification or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes for one year of experience.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Familiarity with: CentOS Linux, and/or Rocky10 Linux

Job Conditions:

• Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program.
• Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
• Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required).
• Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
• Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
• Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
• Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
• Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
• Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op. Additionally, interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting pre-employment screenings / pre-boarding, working in their positions, and throughout the duration of their program.

Employment Benefits at theMBTA

Full-Time Employees:

The MBTA offers comprehensive benefits packages to full-time employees. Types of benefits offered at the MBTA are subject to the union affiliation / Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) of the position to which you apply. Benefits that may apply to your position include the following:

• Insurance: Health, Dental, Vision, Life (basic and supplemental), and Long-Term Disability
• Paid Time Off (PTO): Vacation, Personal Days, Sick Leave, and Holidays
• Retirement: Pension or deferred compensation 401(a), plus MBTA contributions
• Complimentary pass for travel on the MBTA transit system (bus, train, ferry, and Commuter Rail)
• Tuition Reimbursement (up to $10,000 per year)
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) for student loans
• Commuter Choice Parking Program: Pre-tax benefits for parking
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Pre-tax benefits for healthcare-related expenses
• Discounted tickets for concerts, movies, travel / vacation, etc. via TicketsAtWork.com
• Shopping discounts via GovX.com
• Verizon and AT&T service discounts
• And more...

Internships:

Internship positions are not eligible for most MBTA Benefits. However, paid sick time may be incurred. Each intern also receives a complimentary pass for travel on the MBTA transit system (bus, train, ferry, and Commuter Rail) to use throughout the duration of their internship. Please contact the assigned Recruiter directly or email [email protected] for more information.

Disclaimer:

The above information is meant to be a general overview of the benefit programs offered by the MBTA, which may or may not apply to a specific position. This summary is not a contract andis not meant to change the provisions of union contracts or Authority policies a