Sr PTC Train Ops Engineer

Company: Ocean State Job Lot
Location: Chicago
Posted on: April 2, 2025

Job Description:

Metra is America's fourth busiest commuter rail system, providing essential transportation services to a community of over 9.4 million residents. As an organization of over 2,600 professionals, we are committed to safely and efficiently meeting the growing and changing transportation needs of the commuters and businesses we serve.To meet those needs, Metra employs a diverse workforce in an environment that fosters creativity and drives innovation. We invite you to learn more about Metra and the many career opportunities we offer.The final salary will depend on the candidate's qualifications. Those with 8 years or more of required experience can expect offers up to the midpoint of the salary range. Metra provides full pay ranges so candidates can consider their growth potential.Click here to learn more about our benefits!Reporting to the Manager, PTC Testing, the Senior PTC Test Train Engineer will coordinate and execute the testing of Positive Train Control (PTC) equipment on test trains with staff from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), consultants, Class I and Short Line railroads, and Metra's Mechanical, Engineering, and Transportation departments to verify functionality, document results, and report observations.The primary duties include:

• Review and comprehend detailed, functional, and technical documentation on equipment, vendor products, and test plans; become a subject-matter-expert on Interoperable Electronic Train Management System (I-ETMS) functionality and logic.
• Evaluate test plans to ensure each test case is properly outlined in procedures, measure intended functionality, and comply with Metra's operations and safety protocols.
• Work with PTC lab engineer to validate the functionality of new software releases from vendor prior to field testing and production deployment.
• Prepare and coordinate functionality testing of PTC equipment on test trains ensuring testing equipment, systems, documents, and data have been updated; communicate procedures to participating departments; secure staffing, rail lines, and schedules ensuring minimal impact on service, cost efficiencies, and safety compliance.
• Conduct testing on-board PTC test trains to observe functionality in relation to signaling, train speed, safety, right-of-way, and related activities; document real-time results, report systems failures, and conduct retesting to ensure failures have been corrected; prepare detailed test reports.
• Organize testing artifacts and records into a Test Report document and submit to the FRA in accordance with requirements.
• Coordinate team's day-to-day activities, assign tasks/projects and monitor performance, and provide guidance and training, but is not a supervisor.
• Promote safe work practices and maintain a safe work environment.
• Responsible for the safety objectives, goals, and program of the organization ensuring compliance with applicable safety rules and regulations.Final salary will be determined in part by the qualifications of the selected candidate.

• Bachelor's degree in Transportation, Engineering, or related field OR in lieu of degree, any combination of education and experience that equals four years in railroad operations may be substituted for the required degree.
• In addition to #1 above, must have five years of experience as a certified locomotive engineer or in PTC operations, systems testing, log analysis, Tier I/II/III PTC support may be substituted.
• Certified locomotive engineers must be free of revocations in the previous 3 years; internal candidates must not be in any of the progression steps of Metra's discipline policy.
• Considerable knowledge of General Code of Operating and Metra Safety Rules.
• Considerable knowledge of System Timetables for Metra line segments and Metra host railroads.
• Considerable knowledge of all Metra territories, divisions, and subdivisions to include any of the following: Method of operation, Track speed limits, Civil Speed Restrictions, Tenant Railroads for that area, and Interface points with any other railroads.
• Knowledge of Canadian National United States Operating Rules and Chicago Operating Rules Association.
• Basic understanding of PTC and general PTC functionality.
• Good organizational and analytical skills.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office suite.
• Ability to read and analyze I-ETMS logs, GIS track database files, and technical documents.
• Ability to learn and understand new systems and procedures and become a subject-matter-expert in I-ETMS functionality and logic.
• Ability to work either independently or collaboratively on test train assignments.
• Ability to become rules qualified on multiple Metra districts.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Ability to stand, walk, and/or, for extended periods of time.
• Hearing/Visual acuity, far/near, depth perception, field of vision, color vision.
• Ability to lift and move up to 25 pounds.
• Must be able to operate a vehicle.
• Must be willing to travel within and outside of Metra's 6-county region.
• Must be available to work flexible hours in the early morning, late afternoon, evenings, or weekends.
• Must be available on-call 24-hours/day, 7 days/week, 365 days/year, including weekends and holidays.Metra is committed to ensuring that our career website and recruiting process are accessible to all individuals. If you encounter difficulties or limitations in using or accessing our online application, or if you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, participate in interviews, complete any pre-employment testing, or engage in any other aspect of the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to RAC@Metrarr.com.Metra is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is our policy to fill vacant positions with qualified candidates without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, disability, or any protected categories, assuming an individual can perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.
  #J-18808-Ljbffr

Keywords: Ocean State Job Lot, Chicago , Sr PTC Train Ops Engineer, Engineering , Chicago, Illinois