Rail & Transit Traction Power Leader
2 days ago
Edison
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 includes: • 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 includes: • 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 includes: • Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing traction power team—creating a culture of technical excellence, accountability, and collaboration., • Recruit, retain, and develop traction power and rail electrical talent in NYC and across the broader region; support succession planning and capability growth., • Provide hands-on technical coaching to engineers/designers and review deliverables for quality and compliance., • Promote continuous improvement, innovation, and best practices in modeling, design standards, documentation, and quality management., • Leverage national resources and specialty expertise to scale delivery capacity for peak needs and complex assignments. Financial & Business Management includes: • Develop scopes, budgets, staffing plans, and risk strategies for traction power-focused and systems-heavy rail/transit assignments., • Monitor project financial performance (e.g., burn rates, change management, profitability) and drive corrective actions as needed., • Manage resource planning and deployment in coordination with operations leadership to meet delivery commitments., • Contribute to annual business planning, forecasting, and strategic initiatives aligned with regional growth objectives. About you: Required Qualifications include: • Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering (master's preferred)., • Professional Engineer (PE) license (New York strongly preferred; or ability to obtain within a defined period)., • 15+ years of progressive experience in rail/transit electrical systems with significant focus in traction power and power distribution., • Proven experience developing traction power design including final/IFC designs and providing Engineering Services During Construction., • Demonstrated experience delivering complex, multidisciplinary infrastructure projects in dense urban environments with active operations., • Working knowledge of MTA/NYCT standards, procedures, and approval processes; ability to navigate stakeholder and third-party coordination., • Strong communication skills to lead client discussions, develop technical narratives, and contribute to proposals and presentations., • Experience with relevant tools and platforms such as:, • Traction Power Load Flow Study Software, • Power system analysis/modeling (e.g., ETAP, SKM, or equivalent), • CAD/design production (e.g., MicroStation and/or AutoCAD; 3D modeling a plus), • Ability and willingness to support site/field activities, including inspections in stations, tunnels/underground structures, aerial structures, and facilities environments as required. Preferred Qualifications include: • Deep and current relationships with NYC-area rail/transit owners and delivery partners (MTA agencies, Amtrak, PATH, NJT) and the contractor community., • Experience with:, • MV/LV substations, 480V MCCs, UPS systems, emergency power interfaces, • Protection coordination, SCADA integration, commissioning and test procedures, • Alternative delivery procurement and delivery (Design-Build / Progressive DB), • Record of published thought leadership, technical papers, committee participation (e.g., IEEE/APTA), or presentations at industry forums., • Demonstrated seller-doer success: capture leadership, proposal authorship, interview leadership, and measurable wins. Skills & Attributes include: • Entrepreneurial seller-doer mindset with strong client instincts and pursuit discipline., • Recognized technical credibility and the ability to simplify complex concepts for executive decision-makers., • Proven leadership in mentoring teams and building collaborative, accountable project cultures., • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills; comfortable operating with ambiguity., • Commitment to safety, quality, compliance, and delivering work that protects service continuity and operational reliability. Working Conditions / Travel includes: • Hybrid position (2 to 3 days in the office) based in New York City with local travel to project sites, client offices, and meetings as needed., • Periodic travel may be required for supplier visits, project pursuits, factory/shop testing, and key project milestones. Rewards & benefits: At AtkinsRéalis, our values—Safety, Integrity, Collaboration, Innovation, and Excellence—are more than just words. They are the foundation of who we are and how we work. These principles shape our