Signal Manager

Salary : $122,073.10 - $195,312.53 Annually
Location : 810 Mission Avenue, Oceanside, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number:
Department: Rail Operations Division
Division: MAINTENANCE OF SIGNALS
Opening Date: 11/09/2026
Closing Date: 12/7/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
The Signal Manager is responsible for planning, managing, and overseeing the Maintenance of Signal (MOS) operations to support the high-quality delivery of commuter, freight, and hybrid rail services along NCTD's San Diego and Escondido Subdivisions. The Maintenance of Signal Manager ensures the railroad signal and communication operations functions to support safe and efficient rail operations comply with the specifications and regulations of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), and other regulatory and governing agencies.
Distinguishing Characteristics
This position is distinguished by its overall responsibility for planning, managing, monitoring, auditing, and reporting on employees and contractors engaged in signal and communications maintenance and repair. This position makes recommendations on the most effective and efficient method in which to maintain and/or repair signal and crossing infrastructure. S/he is responsible for leading MOS management, maintenance, and repair activities, and the supervision of employees and contractors assigned to perform these functions. The incumbent must demonstrate a high degree of creativity, foresight, and mature judgment in planning, organizing, coordinating, and solving high level problems. This requires interaction among multiple divisions/departments within the District, municipalities, the County of San Diego, external agencies, and consultants. This position is designated as Safety-Sensitive in accordance with Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations and will participate in a random testing pool under those guidelines.
Supervision Received and Exercised
This position reports to the Director of Maintenance of Way and Signal and works under his/her general direction with occasional guidance for assigned work. This position will supervise the work of contractors, consultants, and subordinate staff. Further, this position is expected to participate in the sharing of expert knowledge and as a vital member of various project teams that may be instituted.

Working Conditions
Normal working conditions for this position are in both an office and field setting. Business travel may be required periodically between District sites, governmental agencies, consultants' facilities, and other locations as required. Job duties will require work beyond normal office hours in support of operational commitments for scheduled work and emergency callouts, to include evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Examples of Duties
Essential Functions

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Plans and directs signal and crossing maintenance operations, provides service quality, and ensures compliance with regulatory requirements, and safety management system principles.
• Monitors and evaluates employees and contractors performing MOS maintenance and construction using periodic inspections of all signal infrastructure in the territory.
• Investigates and resolves complaints regarding unsafe or hazardous conditions.
• Administers MOS contractor agreements; organizes and implements signal maintenance program.
• Plans timely maintenance tasks.
• Using inspection findings and other related information, develops MOS maintenance and capital improvement programs for the annual operating and capital budgets.
• Plans and implements the MOS maintenance and capital improvement programs approved in the annual budget.
• Investigates independently, or as part of a team, reportable collisions, derailments, and other accidents includes highway crossing warning equipment when the accident involves rail and vehicle collision.
• Manages corrective actions through to completion using Industry Safe database.
• Develops procurement documents including Scope of Work and Independent Cost Estimates.
• Manages capital projects in accordance with NCTD's policies and procedures, and ensures projects are delivered on-time and within budget.
• Develops new and periodically reviews existing procedures, maintenance plans and checklists to ensure safe practices and consistency with industry standards and best practices.
• Manages and configures ongoing audit processes to reflect evolving best practices and regulator trends.
• Prepares required reports to agencies such as California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
• Prepares for and participates in FRA, CPUC, FTA, and NCTD audits.
• Reviews work order and management information systems for accuracy and compliance.
• Documents and reports regular status updates relative to MOS maintenance, including any deficiencies, or as indicated based on circumstances. Coordinates and shares documentation with appropriate District staff as appropriate.
• Ensures that District and third-party rail signal and communication projects conform to federal, state, and District design standards, inter-agency agreements and memorandum of understandings (MOUs), and other governmental regulations.
• Manages NCTD's signal software management control plan.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local rail/transit industry regulations, rules, standards, and accepted best practices.
• Responds to emergency system failures, service disruptions, incidents, and accidents involving District operations and/or assets. Coordinates with MTS, (Southern California Regional Rail Authority) SCRRA, Amtrak, BNSF, and local law enforcement, regulatory agencies, and emergency responders.
• Hires, trains, supervises, reviews, disciplines, and terminates subordinate staff as needed and in accordance with District policy.
• Reviews and provides comment on signal construction design plans.
• Develops, trains, and audits staff on MOS procedures.
• Responds to calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Experience/Education

• Bachelor's Degree in electrical engineering or a related field is preferred.
• Minimum seven (7) years directly relevant experience in a rail system (private or public sector) required, as per below:
  • Railroad signal and communications maintenance experience on a Class I railroad or major commuter rail system including experience in overseeing the installation, adjustment, and testing of signal-related work.
  • Specialized knowledge of ROW systems to include signals and train control, switches, track, and highway crossing warning equipment.
  • Experience with comprehensive preventive maintenance practices, policies, and procedures.
  • Knowledge of federal and state regulations and inspection timing regulations, and American Public Transportation Association (APTA) safety standards as they pertain to rail signal equipment.
  • Specialized knowledge of wayside communication equipment.
  • Knowledge of material management maintenance systems.
  • Demonstrated experience with contract oversight and compliance.
• Minimum of three (3) years of supervisory experience.

A combination of experience/skills and education to fulfill the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities for this position may be considered.
Certificates/Licenses

• Signal Training Certificate
• Possession of and the ability to maintain a California driver's license, Class C, with less than 6 points in the preceding 36-month period, and no DUI violations in the prior seven (7) years.
• Must be able to become GCOR Qualified on NCTD owned railroad properties.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain annual access to Marine Corp Base Camp Pendleton.
• Must be able to become RWP Qualified on NCTD owned railroad properties.
• Maintain compliance with the District's policies regarding Conflict of Interest and Ethics.

General Requirements

• Knowledge of U.S. federal, state, local, and rail transit industry safety and operations procedures, standards, and practices; working knowledge of regulations that govern railroad signal operations in California.
• Advanced knowledge and application of methods, materials, tools, practices, occupational hazards, and safety precautions used in the maintenance and repair of the railroad right signals.
• Ability to understand and implement FTA standards on transit asset management and state of good repair.
• Understanding of relationship of financial investments and expected equipment outcome based on life cycle analysis.
• Ability to analyze preventive maintenance scheduling activities to determine and recommend improvements based on industry best practices.
• Ability to schedule repairs, refurbishments, and replacement of equipment and systems based on life cycle analysis, while creating minimum impact on transit operations.
• Ability to understand, apply, and implement administrative policies, practices, and procedures.
• Ability to plan, supervise, and coordinate a maintenance of way operations program.
• Ability to work independently in identifying the need for and developing proposed changes to operating practices.
• Ability to manage budgetary needs, monitor expenditures, and take corrective action when needed.
• Exceptional communication skills, including both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of work, including outside contractors.
• Familiarity with pertinent code and regulatory requirements of agencies such as the FTA, FRA, CPUC, OSHA, EPA, and California Code of Regulations.
• Ability to create and maintain good working relationships through excellent communication and teambuilding skills.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills; ability to gather, organize, analyze, and present data to appropriate sources; ability to interpret and apply local, state, and federal rules and regulations accurately and effectively.
• Familiarity with office procedures and the maintenance of records.
• Ability to manage and maintain simultaneous, transitional, and emerging priorities.
• Proficiency in computer software programs including the Microsoft Office Suite.

Supplemental Information
Physical Requirements

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee must possess the ability to use the phone and computer for extended periods, manual dexterity to complete clerical functions and work with office equipment, and lift equipment up to 25 pounds on a periodic basis. The employee must be able to hear, see, and communicate verbally to exchange information. The employee must be able to physically travel between District locations and other destinations, work in evenings when required, work in hazardous conditions, and negotiate a variety of different and irregular terrain as is typical along a railway right of way. The employee may be subject to fumes, odors, dusts, gases, chemicals. The employee must be able to walk, climb, balance, bend, carry, push, reach, sit, and stand.

Machines / Tools / Equipment

• Ability to operate a personal computer and Microsoft Office Suite programs.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, including a fax and scanner machine, copy machine, and telephone.
• Ability to carry and operate a mobile on-call device.

Application Information:
All applicants must complete and submit an online application at

A job offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen and background check.

NCTD provides its employees with a comprehensive benefits package. Benefits are available to employees working 20+ hours per week, with any employer contributions prorated accordingly for employees who work less than 40 hours per week. Highlights are listed below:

Retirement:
CalPERS: NCTD participates in the CalPERS retirement program with benefit formulas of 1.5% @ 65. Benefits are calculated based on your age at retirement, the number of years of service credit with CalPERS, and the highest average pay rate in a 36 month period.

457 Deferred Compensation/401(a) Plans: NCTD offers a voluntary Deferred Compensation savings plan through VOYA. Employees are eligible upon hire, and can contribute a designated percentage of their compensation into the plan in accordance with IRS limits. Additionally, NCTD matches 50% of employee 457 contributions, up to 8% of payroll (4% max contribution) into a 401(a) plan. Employees are vested in NCTD contributions over a 3 year period.

Medical Insurance: NCTD participates in the CalPERS medical insurance program and offers a rich variety of plans to choose from. NCTD contributes towards monthly medical premiums. If selected coverage is greater than the NCTD contribution, employees will pay the additional premium via pre-tax payroll