Project Engineer

At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA’s core values are built around safety, service, equity, sustainability, culture, and accessibility, and each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.

Job Summary

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is a leading provider of public transportation services in North America, and the 4th largest agency in the United States. Serving Boston Massachusetts and the surrounding communities, we provide and are responsible for multi-modal transit operations within Greater Boston, including commuter rail service that extends beyond the core of the MBTA service area.

As a key driver for the greater MBTA mission, the Vehicle Engineering (VE) Department is responsible for new fleet initiatives as well as investigating and implementing innovative vehicle enhancements to ensure all vehicles meet their intended service life. We work collaboratively with other departments, we strive to provide continuous improvements to safety, reliability and efficiency for all of the MBTA's passenger fleets. In line with these efforts, VE has an extensive new project portfolio for the procurement of state of the art (revolutionary) vehicles (Bus, Commuter Rail, Light Rail, Heavy Rail and Ferry) that provide safe, clean, efficient and reliable transportation for the communities serviced, as well as implement innovative technologies during vehicle midlife overhaul.

VE is looking for highly motivated, detail oriented and energetic Engineer team members to join our team. In this role, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with Project Teams in the development of specifications (providing input into the future design parameters of passenger vehicles), perform vehicle compliance testing and certification, perform detailed review of subsystems and components to help determine the root cause of failures, participate in vehicle long term reliability reviews, and provide professional feedback on emerging technology through pilot initiatives undertaken to test products and improve vehicle fleets. The selected candidate(s) will have the opportunity to be involved with all aspects of new vehicle and/or overhaul vehicle procurement programs, as assigned.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Have a working knowledge of transit buses, subway cars, commuter rail coaches / locomotives and ferries.
• Participate in the qualification and routine testing of vehicles of all transit vehicle types.
• Assist with preparation of vehicle technical specifications (new / overhaul)
• Actively participate in design performance review meetings to evaluate vehicle and system design requirements.
• Inspection of all systems / components at vendor or car builder facilities.
• Review drawings, manuals and test procedures.
• Participate in the coordination and planning of testing.
• Perform, collect and analyze test data, including preparation of detailed test reports and presentations.
• Review systems and vehicle modifications.
• Assist in the preparation of responses to technical issues.
• Conduct failure analysis testing of systems/components.
• Complete warranty evaluation and analyses.
• Drive a company or personal vehicle to perform testing, inspection of vehicles or conduct component level or vehicle investigations.
• Respond to each inquiry, whether from a customer, vendor or co-worker in a courteous and professional manner consistent with the Authority's customer service quality standard.
• Work any and all shifts and/or locations as assigned or directed.
• Respond either directly or through others to emergencies on a twenty-four (24) hour, seven (7) day per week basis.
• Perform related duties and projects as assigned.

Supervision

• None.

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Three (3) years of experience in mechanical or electrical engineering in the transportation industry.
• Ability to comprehend the operational, mechanical, and/or electrical characteristics of bus and rail transit vehicles
• Effective organizational, analytical, time management and multi-tasking skills.
• Knowledge of e-builder, Solidworks, CAD, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, Primavera database applications.
• Excellent customer service and presentation skills
• Have a valid driver's license.

Substitutions

• An associate's degree from an accredited institution and an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor's degree requirement.
• A master's degree in a related subject substitutes for two (2) years of general experience.
• A nationally recognized certification, or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes for one (1) year of experience.

Preferred Experience & Skills

• A Master's degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering in related field from an accredited institution.
• Experience with public transit vehicles.
• Transit or transit agency vehicle engineering work experience.
• Six (6) additional years of experience in mechanical or electrical engineering in the public transportation industry.

Job Conditions:

• Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program.
• Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
• Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required).
• Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
• Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
• Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
• Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
• Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
• Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op. Additionally, interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting pre-employment screenings / pre-boarding, working in their positions, and throughout the duration of their program.

Disclaimers and Definitions:

1. General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.
2. Application Completion: It is each applicant’s responsibility to ensure application details are entered completely and correctly, including updated work and education histories (past and current). Incomplete applications may not be considered. Attachments do not substitute for application fields. The recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history.
3. Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.
4. Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.
5. Work Eligibility: All employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States and on an unrestricted basis. The MBTA does not have an employer work sponsorship program. However, if you have unrestricted work authorization, or are sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply. Further, all persons hired will require a U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting the position and employees will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
6. Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one-time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview. In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.
7. Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.
8. On-call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.
9. Essential / Emergency Staff: During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.
10. ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTA's ADA Unit at View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io.
11. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. For terms, descriptions, and definitions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, veteran status, and immediate family members that you may find on the application form, please visit mbta.com/careers-app-definitions.
12. Intern / Co-Op Benefits: Employees taking part in an internship or co-op at the MBTA are eligible to receive accrued paid sick leave as well as a monthly transportation pass, based on the city from which the intern / co-op commutes to work, at no cost. However, no additional benefits are currently offered for interns or co-ops.

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