Rail & Transit Traction Power Leader

Job Description

Overview

We are seeking a Rail & Transit Traction Power Leader to drive market growth and provide technical and delivery leadership for traction power and rail electrical systems across the New York City region. This is a seller-doer role: you will develop and expand client relationships, lead strategic pursuits, and serve as Project Director/Principal-in-Charge and technical authority on complex rail/transit programs and projects.

This leader will be the go-to expert for traction power systems across third rail and overhead contact system (OCS) environments (role is agnostic to either), including substations, power distribution, protection/controls, grounding/bonding, and systems integration-while ensuring projects are delivered safely, compliantly, and with minimal disruption to operating railroads and transit systems.

Your role

Key Responsibilities

Market Growth & Strategy (Seller-Doer)

* Own and grow key client relationships across the NYC area rail/transit market, including MTA (C&D, NYCT, LIRR, Metro-North), Amtrak, PATH, NJ Transit, and major contractors.

* Identify, qualify, and shape pursuits in traction power, rail systems, program/construction management support, and alternative delivery (DBB, Design-Build, Progressive Design-Build, CM/GC).

* Lead or support capture planning, teaming strategy, win themes, and differentiated technical approaches for major pursuits.

* Represent the firm at regional industry events (APTA/IEEE-focused forums, conferences, panels) to build visibility and strengthen market presence.

* Coordinate pursuit/no-bid and teaming decisions with regional leadership to maximize positioning and probability of win.

* Develop and execute an annual growth plan with measurable goals (e.g., backlog/revenue growth targets over 2-3 years, expansion of framework/IDIQ/task order work, and increased share-of-wallet with priority accounts).

Technical Leadership & Delivery Excellence

* Serve as technical lead and subject matter expert for traction power and rail electrical systems, including:

* Lead traction power studies and calculations (load flow/power-flow, short-circuit, cable sizing, protection coordination, grounding/step-touch, arc-flash) and translate results into robust designs, specifications, and drawings.

* Hands on experience developing detailed design and specifications for DC systems (600/750/1000/1500V) and AC systems (12.5/25KV).

* Traction power substations (AC utility interfaces, transformers, rectifiers/inverters as applicable), distribution, switching/sectionalization

* Power supply and distribution for third rail and/or OCS, including feeder arrangements and interface requirements

* Protection & relaying, controls, SCADA/communications interfaces, and system monitoring

* Grounding/bonding, negative return, stray current mitigation concepts, and power quality considerations

* Direct and oversee the development of:

* Conceptual through final designs; technical specifications; contract documents

* Drawings and deliverables such as site plans, duct bank/cable plans, grounding grids, single-line diagrams, schematics, conduit/wire schedules

* Ensure compliance with relevant standards and requirements, including MTA/agency standards, NFPA 130, NEC, IEEE and other applicable codes and guidelines.

* Provide oversight of quality, safety, scope, schedule, budget, and risk across assigned projects and task orders.

* Collaborate with PMs and discipline leads (track, signals, communications, civil/structural, architecture, OCS/third rail, systems integration) to deliver coordinated solutions.

* Support construction delivery by providing technical support for:

* Field investigations, site walks, constructability reviews

* Submittal/shop drawing review, RFI responses, and design clarifications

* Factory/shop testing, witness testing where required, and commissioning/closeout support

* Coordinate with utility companies and stakeholders to define service requirements, outages, interface responsibilities, and operational constraints.

Team Leadership, Mentorship & Capability Building

* Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing traction power team-creating a culture of technical…