Job DescriptionOverviewWe are seeking a
Senior Traction Power Engineer- to support a major rail transit Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Program in the
Los Angeles, CA. This position will provide technical leadership and engineering support for the operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, testing, inspection, modification, and long-term reliability of traction power systems supporting an active railway operation.
The successful candidate will work closely with agency personnel, maintenance staff, operators, contractors, and project stakeholders to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operation of traction power infrastructure. This role requires frequent field presence and direct interaction with operating railway systems and maintenance personnel.
The Senior Traction Power Engineer will support the ongoing operation and maintenance of rail transit traction power systems. The candidate will be responsible for assisting with preventive and corrective maintenance programs, troubleshooting field issues, evaluating system performance, supporting construction and modification activities, and providing technical guidance to operations and maintenance personnel.
This position will play a key role in developing maintenance strategies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), training programs, and reliability initiatives that support safe and efficient railway operations.
The role requires frequent visits to active rail facilities, traction power substations, maintenance facilities, and railway right-of-way locations.
Your role - Provide engineering support for the operation and maintenance of rail transit traction power systems.
- Support implementation and continuous improvement of traction power maintenance programs.
- Develop, review, and update preventive maintenance procedures, maintenance plans, technical instructions, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
- Evaluate maintenance practices and recommend improvements to enhance system reliability, safety, and operational performance.
- Investigate, troubleshoot, and resolve traction power system failures, alarms, equipment malfunctions, and other field issues.
- Support root cause analyses and corrective action programs for equipment failures and operational incidents.
- Perform engineering assessments of traction power substations, switchgear, rectifiers, transformers, protection systems, SCADA interfaces, and associated equipment.
- Support field testing, commissioning, condition assessments, and system performance evaluations.
- Coordinate with maintenance personnel to plan outages, maintenance activities, inspections, and equipment upgrades.
- Support construction management activities associated with system modifications, facility improvements, and capital replacement projects.
- Review engineering drawings, contractor submittals, RFIs, change orders, and testing documentation.
- Participate in factory acceptance testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT), integrated testing, and commissioning activities.
- Develop technical reports, engineering memoranda, maintenance recommendations, and asset condition assessments.
- Provide classroom and field training to maintenance and operations personnel.
- Support development of asset management, reliability-centered maintenance, and preventive maintenance programs.
- Participate in emergency response and troubleshooting activities as required.
- Attend project meetings and act as a technical representative of AtkinsRéalis with clients, contractors, and operating agencies.
About you - Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited institution.
- Registered Professional Engineer (P.E.) license in the State of California or ability to obtain reciprocity.
- Minimum ten (10) years of experience involving rail transit traction power systems.
- Demonstrated experience in traction power substation design, installation, troubleshooting, testing, commissioning, and maintenance support.
- Experience supporting or implementing operations and maintenance programs for traction power systems.
- Experience investigating and resolving field issues related to traction power equipment and infrastructure.
- Experience reviewing technical drawings, specifications, maintenance documents, and contractor submittals.
- Strong working knowledge of:
- DC Traction Power Substations (TPSS).
- Overhead Contact Systems (OCS).
- Third Rail System.
- Negative return systems.
- Grounding and bonding systems.
- Rectifier systems.
- Medium-voltage and low-voltage power distribution systems.
- Switchgear and circuit breakers.
- Protective relaying systems.
- SCADA and control systems.
- Rail transit electrical infrastructure.
- Ability to work independently and lead technical efforts in a fast-paced operational environment.
- Ability and willingness to frequently visit active railway facilities, substations, maintenance facilities, and construction sites.
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Experience supporting major transit agencies such as LA Metro, BART, Sound Transit, Metrolink, MARTA, WMATA, SEPTA, or similar rail operators.
- Experience developing preventive maintenance and reliability programs for traction power assets.
- Experience authoring maintenance manuals, operating procedures, lockout/tagout procedures, and troubleshooting guides.
- Familiarity with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS).
- Experience conducting reliability assessments, asset condition evaluations, and lifecycle analyses.
- Experience supporting revenue-service rail systems.
- Knowledge of applicable industry standards including IEEE, NFPA, NEC, NESC, AREMA, California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) requirements and Applicable transit agency standards.
Rewards & benefits Depending on your employment status, AtkinsRéalis benefits may include medical, dental, vision, company-paid life and short- and long-term disability benefits, employer-matched 401(k) with 100% vesting, employee stock purchase plan, Paid Time Off, leaves of absences options, flexible work options, recognition and employee satisfaction programs, employee assistance program, and voluntary benefits. You can review our comprehensive benefits page here.
Additional information Expected compensation range is between $104,000-$173,300 annually depending on skills, experience, and geographical location.
Are you ready to expand your career with us? Apply today and help us shape something extraordinary.Worker TypeEmployee
Job TypeRegular
