AECOM

Signals Discipline Lead

AECOM • $90K — $130K *
Philadelphia, PA 19120In-Person
Transportation
8 - 10 years of experience
1 week ago
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field plus 8 years of relevant rail signal design experience.
  • Professional Engineer (PE) licensure or ability to obtain within two years.
  • Experience with AREMA guidelines and FRA regulations pertaining to signal design.
  • Proficiency in CAD software such as AutoCAD or MicroStation.
  • Knowledge of reading and programming vital logic equations.
  • Hands-on experience with microprocessor-based vital logic controllers like ElectroLogIXS and Microlock II.
  • Understanding of AC and DC track circuits.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the design and delivery of rail signal systems for various project phases.
  • Mentor junior engineers and perform quality assurance on design work.
  • Develop detailed signal design packages and construction documents.
  • Design and analyze complex signal systems as per industry standards.
  • Prepare technical documents, calculations, and project reports.
  • Coordinate multidisciplinary signal system interfaces for project success.
  • Support design integration testing and commissioning of advanced signaling systems.

Benefits

  • Relocation assistance may be available for this role.
  • Opportunities for professional development and career growth.
  • Engagement in projects that advance rail transit technology.
  • Potential for involvement in high-profile, large-scale projects.
  • Support practices that promote safety and environmental compliance.
Full Job Description
Job Description

Position Summary:

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Signals Discipline Lead with experience in rail and transit signal systems. The successful candidate will support the design, development, and implementation of signal engineering solutions for rail and transit infrastructure projects. The role includes preparing design drawings, technical specifications, and performing field investigations under the guidance of senior engineering staff or project managers.

Key Responsibilities:
  • Lead the planning, design, and delivery of rail and transit signal systems through conceptual, preliminary, final design, and construction support phases for light rail, commuter rail, heavy rail, and freight rail projects.
  • Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and engineering oversight to mid-level and junior engineers, designers, and CAD staff, including performing QA/QC reviews and supporting staff development.
  • Develop signal design packages including signal layouts, interlocking plans, control line diagrams, route and aspect charts, cable routing plans, signal house layouts, equipment location plans, and associated construction documents.
  • Design and analyze wayside signal systems, interlockings, switch machine systems, train detection systems, vital and non-vital logic, and highway-rail grade crossing warning systems in accordance with industry standards and client requirements.
  • Prepare engineering calculations, technical specifications, bills of materials, cost estimates, design reports, and other technical documentation required to support project delivery.
  • Coordinate signal system interfaces with traction power, communications, SCADA, OCS, train control, track, civil, roadway, station, and utility systems to ensure successful multidisciplinary integration.
  • Support the design, integration, testing, and commissioning of conventional signaling, Positive Train Control (PTC), Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC), Automatic Train Protection (ATP), and Automatic Train Control (ATC) systems.
  • Support project planning and execution activities, including scope development, resource forecasting, schedule management, technical risk assessment, proposal preparation, fee development, and business development efforts.
  • Conduct field investigations, site inspections, diagnostic reviews, testing, commissioning, cutovers, and construction support activities, including responding to RFIs, reviewing submittals, and supporting revenue service implementation.
  • Interface with clients, railroads, contractors, regulatory agencies, and project stakeholders while ensuring compliance with FRA, FTA, AREMA, MUTCD, railroad owner standards, and applicable safety, quality, and environmental requirements.
  • Lead factory acceptance testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT), commissioning, cutover planning, and revenue service implementation activities for signal, train control, and grade crossing systems.
  • Develop signal design criteria, standards, specifications, engineer's cost estimates, and evaluate alternative technical solutions and value engineering opportunities to improve safety, reliability, constructability, and lifecycle costs.
  • Support and coordinate highway-rail grade crossings, traffic signal preemption and transit signal priority (TSP) systems, while interfacing with FRA, railroads, transit agencies, roadway authorities, utility owners, and other project stakeholders throughout project development and implementation.
  • Assist in leading the growth and development of the Signals practice, including recruiting, staff development, succession planning, resource management, and technical capability enhancement.
  • Serve as the technical point of contact for signal engineering projects and support multidisciplinary coordination across traction power, communications, systems integration, and other rail disciplines.
  • Support proposal development, technical presentations, client engagement, and strategic business development efforts to expand the Signals practice and strengthen client relationships.
  • Develop and maintain signal engineering standards, specifications, design criteria, lessons learned, and best practices to promote consistency and technical excellence across projects.
  • Provide technical leadership for major corridor modernization, expansion, and state-of-good-repair programs while ensuring quality, constructability, maintainability, and lifecycle performance.


Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field plus 8 years of relevant experience in rail signal design, testing, or construction or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education.
  • Professional Engineer (PE) licensure or ability and willingness to obtain within two years of hire.
  • Experience with AREMA guidelines, FRA regulations, and signal design practices.
  • Experience with CAD software (e.g., AutoCAD, MicroStation)
  • Experience with reading and programming logic and vital logic equations.
  • Experience working with microprocessor-based vital logic controllers such as ElectroLogIXS and Microlock II.
  • Experience with the working principles of DC and AC track circuits.
  • Experience with CAB signaling design and coded track circuits, audio frequency track circuits, and phase shift overlay circuits.

Preferred Experience :
  • 12 years of relevant experience in rail signal design, testing, or construction.
  • Working knowledge of legacy and modern interlocking systems.
  • Familiarity with signal vendors (e.g., Siemens, Alstom, Hitachi, Wabtec).
  • Knowledge of relay or microprocessor-based interlocking systems.
  • Field or construction support experience including signal cutover or testing.
  • Professional Engineer(PE) License.
  • Project Management Professional(PMP) License.
  • Strong problem-solving, written communication, and documentation skills.
  • Ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams.


Additional Information
  • We are interested in every qualified candidate eligible to work in the United States. Sponsorship may be available for current visa holders in the United States.
  • Relocation assistance may be available for this role.


At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM

AECOM is a global provider of professional technical and management support services to a broad range of markets, including transportation, facilities, environmental, energy, water and government. With approximately 45,000 employees around the world, AECOM is a leader in all of the key markets that it serves. AECOM provides a blend of global reach, local knowledge, innovation and technical excellence in delivering solutions that create, enhance and sustain the world's built, natural, and social environments. A Fortune 500 company, AECOM serves clients in more than 150 countries and had revenue of $8.0 billion during the 12 months ended March 31, 2014.

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Learn more about AECOM
Size
51,000 employees
Market Cap
$11.8 billion
Industry
Real Estate & Construction
Net Income
-$200.8 million
Founded
1990
5 Year Trend
-6.3%
Revenue
$13.3 billion
NASDAQ
ACM
* Ladders Estimates

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