Manager Engineering - New Rail Vehicles (8036)

OVERALL DESCRIPTION

SEPTA has two Manager Engineering positions available with different roles in New Rail Vehicles, one is the Manager - Engineering and one is Manager - Projects and Specifications.

Engineering - In this role the Manager Engineering will be responsible for ensuring technical quality of work and oversight of resources in the New Rail Vehicle group as well as additional responsibilities related to all new rail vehicles at SEPTA.

Projects and Specifications - In this role the Manager Engineering will be responsible for vehicles for any one of SEPTA’s programs that require new vehicles, e.g., SEPTA's Trolley Modernization Program or SEPTA’s Market-Frankford Line Railcar Replacement Program, as well as additional responsibilities related to all new rail vehicles at SEPTA

VEHICLE ENGINEERING - NEW RAIL VEHICLES 

The Manager of Engineering (New Rail Vehicles) has full technical responsibility for the organization, implementation, execution and coordination of the engineering support and program management of operational programs within the New Rail Vehicles area of Vehicle Engineering and Maintenance. This position’s primary responsibility is directing and overseeing all aspects of the planning, design and procurement of new rail vehicles for SEPTA, which includes managing subordinate staff in the Vehicle Engineering and Maintenance group.  The Manager of Engineering is responsible for serving as the primary point of contact for contractor and consultant and primary level of decision making. 

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

VEHICLE ENGINEERING - NEW RAIL VEHICLES 

1. Supervises vehicles section activities and personnel through assignment of tasks, setting priorities, establishing target dates and regularly interacting with staff to track progress      and provide guidance.
2. Plans, organizes, and implements designs, specifications and standards for Authority vehicles including conduct of studies, surveys and cost estimates for vehicle modifications and overhauls.
3. Provides technical support and direction for new vehicle and vehicle system development in assurance that the contractor provides reliable vehicles meeting all specifications.
4. Develops and implements comprehensive programs for improving vehicle reliability and availability.
5. Interacts frequently with (shop) customers to keep them informed of project status; assesses customer satisfaction; receives new work requests; and provides guidance.
6. Develops and manages section budget. Establishes and tracks individual employee goals, Administers performance evaluations. Issues status reports.
7. Performs project management of contracts involving design, text, supply, and installation of systems on vehicles.
8. Coordinates quality control objectives and activities to resolve production problems, maximize product reliability, and minimize cost.
9. Confers with vendors, staff, and management personnel regarding purchases, procedures, product specifications, manufacturing capabilities, and project status.
10. Drafts and designs layout of equipment, materials, and workspace to illustrate maximum efficiency, using drafting tools and computer.
11. Reviews productions schedules, engineering specifications, orders, and related information to obtain knowledge of manufacturing methods, procedures, and activities.
12. Communicates with management and user personnel to develop production and design standards.
13. Estimates production cost and effect of product design changes for management review, action and control.
14. Formulates sampling procedures and designs and develops forms and instructions for recording, evaluating, and reporting quality and reliability data.
15. Studies operations sequence, material flow, functional statements, organization charts, and project information to determine worker functions and responsibilities.
16. Evaluates precision and accuracy of production and testing equipment and engineering drawings to formulate correction action plans.
17. Analyzes statistical data and product specifications to determine standards and establish quality and reliability objectives of the finished product.
18. Complies with all Authority and departmental safety and security policies and procedures, as well as all applicable job safety responsibilities. Reports any safety concerns, compromises, or hazards in the hazards affecting self and other employees is responsible for the individual’s own safety and is encouraged to promote the safety of others.
19. Recommends methods for improving utilization of personnel, material, and utilities.   
     

ADDL / DISCIPLINE RESPONSIBILITIES

VEHICLE ENGINEERING - NEW RAIL VEHICLES

1. Develops fleet management and replacement strategies in conjunction with capital planning operations and other departments within SEPTA.
2. Oversees development vehicle requirements and writing of specifications for new vehicles in cooperation with other SEPTA departments.
3. Overall responsibility for supervising SEPTA resources associated with the procurement of new rail fleet, and working with other SEPTA departments to ensure projects meet budget requirements.
4. Establishes staffing levels – both internal and contracted – necessary to support vehicle acquisition programs.
5. Supervises and manages construction–related progress and design reviews.
6. Directs and coordinates the activities of SEPTA departments to support the acquisition of new vehicles including vehicle delivery and testing, fleet integration, – and retirement of existing equipment, preparation of maintenance facilities, training of maintenance and operating personnel, procurement of initial capital spares and spare parts required for routine maintenance, development of maintenance procedures and support documentation, warranty administration, etc.  
7. Works closely with appropriate state, and federal-level agencies (e.g., PennDOT, APTA, FRA) to ensure new vehicles fully comply with applicable regulatory requirements. 
8. Maintains key project documentation including periodic project reports, master schedule, budget and expenditure profiles, construction change and field modification logs, correspondence logs, test records, etc.
9. Prepares program status reports as required to present to management showing construction, budget and schedule highlights and potential risks.
10. Complies with all Authority and departmental safety and security policies and procedures, as well as all applicable job safety responsibilities. Reports any safety concerns, compromises, or hazards in the hazards affecting self and other employees is responsible for the individual’s own safety and is encouraged to promote the safety of others.
11. Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

VEHICLE ENGINEERING - NEW RAIL VEHICLES

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering plus a minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible rail vehicle related experience required, including extensive knowledge of engineering and business practices applicable to managing vehicle programs.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills required. 
• Extensive knowledge in vehicle systems required. 
• Extensive experience in computer applications within field of study required.
• Experience as a Project Manager or leading cross-functional work groups required.
• Travel is required in this position, both domestic and international.  Domestic travel may be to manufacturing plants for railcars for up to two weeks at a time.  If unable to travel, please do not apply to this job.  

IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

VEHICLE ENGINEERING - NEW RAIL VEHICLES

• Master’s Degree preferred.
• Registered Professional Engineer (P.E.) preferred.
• Supervisory experience preferred.
• Experience successfully leading/managing a rail vehicle acquisition project preferred