Senior Vehicle Engineer (RAIL)

MARKETING STATEMENT

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Vehicle Engineer to join our team and play a pivotal role in the procurement and introduction of new rail vehicles. This position offers a unique opportunity to directly influence the performance, safety, and efficiency of our fleet while collaborating with diverse stakeholders across the industry.

As a Senior Vehicle Engineer, you will:

• Lead engineering efforts on complex railcar procurement projects, serving as the primary technical point of contact.
• Apply deep knowledge of railcar design, onboard systems integration, and performance standards to drive engineering excellence.
• Develop and author high-quality technical documents, including specifications, manuals, and maintenance instructions, to support operations and long-term reliability.
• Facilitate and lead engineering meetings, design reviews, and failure analyses with internal teams, contractors, and suppliers.
• Provide expert troubleshooting support for onboard vehicle systems, ensuring issues are resolved efficiently and to the highest safety standards.
• Contribute technical expertise to support change orders, production modifications, and field updates.

What Were Looking For:

• Minimum of five (5) years of hands-on experience in rail vehicle or MOW (maintenance-of-way) vehicle engineering.
• Strong communication skills with proven success in working across internal departments, contractors, and external partners.
• Demonstrated excellence in technical writing for specifications, manuals, and other engineering documentation.
• Leadership skills with a track record of guiding cross-functional engineering teams and collaborating in high-stakes project environments.

This is your chance to make a lasting impact on a vital transportation system while advancing your career in an environment that values innovation, technical expertise, and professional growth.

Minimum Qualifications :

Education

• Bachelors Degree in Mechanical, Electrical or a related Engineering field

Experience

• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience performing rail/MOW vehicle engineering tasks as outlined above (i.e. troubleshooting, vehicle/subsystem testing, component/sub-system design, development & review of technical documentation).

Certification/Licensure

• None

Preferred

• Experience in developing mechanical equipment specifications.

Certification/Licensure:

Possession of a valid District of Columbia, Maryland or Virginia motor vehicle operator's permit issued from the jurisdiction of residence.

Registration as a Professional Engineer by NEC examination is highly desirable.

Medical Group:

Satisfactorily complete the medical examination for this position, if required. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of this position either with or without reasonable accommodations.

Mission Essential Designation

• In accordance with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authorities Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) this job has been identified as critical to mission essential functions. Incumbents in this role may be required to report to or continue to work in the event of authorized office closings or service suspensions due to severe weather, natural disaster, fire, operational emergencies or related events.

Mission Essential Designation

• In accordance with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authorities Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) this job has been identified as critical to mission essential functions. Incumbents in this role may be required to report to or continue to work in the event of authorized office closings or service suspensions due to severe weather, natural disaster, fire, operational emergencies or related events.

Job Summary/Duties:

The Senior Vehicle Engineer is responsible for performing professional engineering, project management, engineering analysis and testing activities. The incumbent serves as a subject matter expert on technical aspects of rail vehicle equipment and its performance in passenger service. Responds to difficult and complex engineering problems/issues.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Serves as the lead engineer on projects related to equipment on railcars and maintenance of way (MOW) vehicles.
• Reviews design documents to evaluate the constructability and maintainability of vehicle systems. Reviews contractor submitted shop and manufacturing drawings, design calculations and computations related to vehicles, various railcar systems/track equipment and subsystems.
• Reviews technical submittals of vehicle/track equipment design and fabrication. Provides engineering support to ensure conformity with specifications and design criteria.
• Serves as the lead of interdisciplinary engineering groups charged to address special rail/maintenance of way vehicles, fabrication and operational related problems towards developing remedies. Generates appropriate correspondence and documentation to maintain configuration control for implemented solutions.
• Develops engineering specifications for rail cars, rail car sub-systems/components and Maintenance of Way equipment. Develops the technical basis for change orders to ongoing rail vehicle/track equipment projects and programs. Drafts change order documentation to support post-bid design, pre- and post-production field changes.
• Prepares and/or reviews feasibility studies and special reports on vehicle/track equipment systems and subsystems. Prepares cost estimates as required.
• Participates, as required, in Vehicle and System Commissioning, Substantial Completion Inspections, Safety and other field/site investigations.
• Serves as WMATA's expert on one or more vehicle systems and/or train/MOW vehicle performance. Provides expert testimony when called upon to address equipment design and performance issues during accident investigations and litigation.
• Provides the vehicle program office with technical oversight and review/approval of the following: Railcar Qualification Testing Plans; Railcar Acceptance Plans; Railcar Systems Integration Matrices/Plans; and technical investigations and problem solving at new car delivery sites.
• Performs investigations and studies and prepares reports to document recommendations in response to incidents, operations, maintenance or procurement needs.
• Supports the Configuration Control Management process by developing and/or maintaining engineering design technical documentation, maintenance manuals and drawings within the EPDM system.

OTHER FUNCTIONS

• Perform on-call duty as assigned.

The essential duties listed are not intended to limit specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Nor is it intended to limit in any way the right of managers and supervisors to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.

Evaluation Criteria

Consideration will be given to applicants whose resumes demonstrate the required education and experience. Applicants should include all relevant education and work experience.

Evaluation criteria may include one or more of the following:

• Skills and/or behavioral assessment
• Personal interview
• Verification of education and experience (including certifications and licenses)
• Criminal Background Check (a criminal conviction is not an automatic bar to employment)
• Medical examination including a drug and alcohol screening (for safety sensitive positions)
• Review of a current motor vehicle report

Closing

WMATA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable federal law.

This posting is an announcement of a vacant position under recruitment. It is not intended to replace the official job description. Job descriptions are available upon confirmation of an interview.