BNSF Railway Company

Principal Telecom Engineer, Interoperable Train Control Messaging (Remote - US)

BNSF Railway Company$107K — $145K *
US-Anywhere
+ 2 other locationsRemote
Transportation
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Authorized to work in the US without BNSF's assistance.
  • Bachelor's degree in Technical, Business or related discipline preferred, or equivalent experience.
  • 10 years of work experience in a technical/operations environment.
  • 5+ years in enterprise systems administration or messaging middleware.
  • Proficient with messaging platforms like Apache ActiveMQ and Red Hat AMQ.
  • Deep understanding of TCP/IP and railroad network architecture.
  • Familiarity with Linux/Unix operating systems and shell scripting.

Responsibilities

  • Configure, deploy, and maintain ITCM environments across various messaging systems.
  • Coordinate configuration changes with tenant and host railroads for interoperability.
  • Track network health and diagnose communication drops using ITCSM tools.
  • Resolve complex messaging issues and analyze log files for troubleshooting.
  • Maintain configuration control records for software and hardware across systems.
  • Monitor and resolve production issues on a 24/7 basis.

Benefits

  • Industry-leading 401(k) and Railroad Retirement program.
  • Robust health care options including medical, dental, and mental health support.
  • Employer contributions to Health Care Spending Accounts (HSA) with complimentary life insurance.
  • Family benefits including parental support and adoption reimbursement.
  • Access to discounts on travel, fitness, and wellness services.
  • Annual bonus eligibility through the Incentive Compensation Program.
  • Generous leave and time off policies.
Full Job Description


Job Location: REMOTE

Anticipated Start Date: 08/03/2026

Number of Positions: 1

The US base salary range for this full-time position is provided below:

Salary Range: $107,000 - $145,000

The range represents the amount bnsf | tech reasonably expects to pay for the position based on the level, scope, and responsibilities of the role. Individual compensation and level of position offered is determined by the hiring location and additional factors including but not limited to job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. In addition to base pay and bonus eligibility, BNSF offers a comprehensive benefits package.
This is a full-time remote position. Employees may work from anywhere within the contiguous 48 states of the United States.

Travel is up to 20%. Employees will be required to occasionally travel to our corporate headquarters in Fort Worth, TX for in person meetings. Travel expenses for business needs will be covered by BNSF.

Apply early as this job may be removed or filled prior to the closing date, which is approximately seven (7) days after the posting date.

The Positive Train Control (PTC) Interoperable Train Control Messaging (ITCM) Systems Engineer manages, maintains, and configures the ITCM middleware network. This position ensures secure, reliable, and asynchronous messaging between locomotives, wayside devices, and back-office servers. The administrator directly supports railroad interoperability, system monitoring, and regulatory compliance.

Key responsibilities may include:

  • System Administration: Configure, deploy, and maintain ITCM environments across back-office systems (BOS), wayside messaging servers, and locomotive mobile platforms including monitoring and managing message queues, topics, and channels to ensure seamless, real-time message delivery.
  • Interoperability Control: Coordinate configuration changes and asset routing updates with tenant and host railroads to maintain seamless industry-wide interoperability.
  • System Monitoring: Use Interoperable Train Control Systems Management (ITCSM) and custom open source based tools to track network health, evaluate system telemetry, and proactively diagnose communication drops.
  • Troubleshooting & Support: Resolve complex messaging failures, address routing anomalies, and analyze log files to identify and fix transport-layer disruptions.
  • Configuration Management: Maintain rigorous configuration control records for software versions, network routing tables, and hardware assets across the system lifecycle.
  • Demonstrate operational excellence by monitoring, troubleshooting, and resolving production issues by remaining on-call 24/7.


The duties and responsibilities in this posting are representative categories to be used in deciding whether to apply for this position. This is not an exhaustive list of the position's duties.

Basic Qualifications
  • Authorized to work in the US now and in the future without BNSF's assistance (whether monetary, through sponsorship, or otherwise) in obtaining, maintaining, or extending employment authorization (including H-1B, STEM OPT/CPT, or TN nonimmigrant status).
  • Bachelors degree in Technical, Business or related discipline preferred and/or equivalent formal training or work experience.
  • Minimum of 10 years work experience in a technical/operations environment.
  • Minimum of 5+ years of experience in enterprise systems administration, messaging middleware, or railroad signaling/communications infrastructure.
  • Proficiency with messaging platforms like Apache ActiveMQ, Red Hat AMQ, or Apache QPID AMQP Brokers.
  • Deep understanding of networking protocols, including TCP/IP, EMP (Electronic Message Protocol), AAR Messaging Standards. and Class I Railroad network architecture.
  • Strong familiarity with Linux/Unix operating systems and shell scripting languages (e.g., Bash, Python) for automation.


Preferred Qualifications

  • Working knowledge of FRA PTC regulations, I-ETMS architecture, and Meteorcomm ITCnet operations.
  • Prior experience working for a Class I Railroad or transit agency.
  • Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret raw telemetry data under pressure.
  • Excellent communication skills for cross-functional collaboration with external railroad partners.


At BNSF, you will have access to a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including:

  • An industry-leading 401(k) and renowned Railroad Retirement program.
  • A range of robust health care options for you and your dependents (including domestic partners), including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, mental health, cancer support, and high-quality care network options.
  • Health care spending accounts (HSA) with employer contributions, as well as life and disability insurance, provided at no cost.
  • Family benefits including parental, pediatric and family building support, adoption and surrogacy reimbursement, and dependent care spending account (with employer match).
  • Access to discounts on travel, gym memberships, counseling services and wellness support.
  • Annual bonus (Incentive Compensation Program)
  • Generous leave / time off policies.
  • For more information, visit Benefits.


Federal authority requires BNSF employees, whose work requires unescorted access to secure areas of port facilities, to obtain a TWIC. More information is available at https://www.tsa.gov/for-industry/twic

About BNSF Railway Company

BNSF Railway Company is one of the largest freight railroad networks in North America, with 32,500 miles of rail across the western two-thirds of the United States. The company was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. BNSF Railway Company is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and operates as a standalone entity. The company provides transportation services for a wide range of commodities, including consumer goods, coal, industrial products, and agricultural products. BNSF Railway Company has a strong commitment to safety and environmental sustainability, and has invested heavily in technology and infrastructure to improve efficiency and reduce emissions.
Learn more about BNSF Railway Company
Size
42,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1994

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