Senior Systems Engineer-Operations Technology

Salary range is $80k to $175k, with a midpoint of $125k. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retirement Plans: 401a - 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b - up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12-16 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• Pet Insurance discount.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Inclusive Reproductive Health Support Services.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you'll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under general direction, provides senior engineering support for the Agency's transit operating technology systems including, but not limited to Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), industrial control systems, telephone communications, access control, public addressing and messaging, building management systems, Traction Power Substation (TPSS) SCADA, OT Network, and other transit-related technology platforms. Provides technical leadership to staff, contractors, and vendors and is a subject matter expert on Operations Technology (OT) systems and OT cybersecurity. Coordinates assigned activities with other divisions, departments, and outside agencies; troubleshoots and resolves system errors and issues as needed. Performs technical and engineering support duties in assigned areas of responsibility, ensuring that the quality of work meets the standards set forth by the Agency.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Provide engineering and technical support for the Operations Technology control system and associated sub systems.
• Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and coaching to team members, contractors and vendors for operations technology systems.
• Conducts technical analysis, hazard and risk analysis, develops business cases, and participates as technical lead on major and routine operations technology projects.
• Collaborates with operations and engineering staff to translate agency needs into long-term architecture solutions.
• Leads efforts to resolve complex technical issues in accordance with established design criteria, collaborating with all necessary subject matter experts.
• Evaluate, lead, and support state of good repair of operations technology assets and systems in revenue service.
• Develop, maintain, and enforce operating and maintenance standards and procedures pertaining to operations technology in collaboration with the other agency technology groups.
• Provides input to design requirements based on asset performance, operating needs and technological advancement of operations technology systems.
• Develop and implement system enhancements to improve system reliability and performance.
• Perform root cause analysis and repair of escalated technical issues and trends; assist team members as needed to resolve advanced technical issues.
• Provides expert knowledge of industry principles and practices for the area of responsibility.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit's Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or closely related field and five years of practical experience that includes systems engineering work in in multiple operations technology systems; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Design, maintenance and life cycle management of operations technology systems as defined in General Purpose above.
• Operational characteristics of a variety of computer and network systems, applications, hardware, industrial controls, and Internet of Things (IoT) software and peripheral equipment.
• Methods and techniques involved in designing, installing and maintaining industrial control systems and connectivity.
• Possess a genuine intellectual curiosity and ability to grow the teams skills, efficiency and knowledge.
• Methods and techniques of performing advanced troubleshooting activities on programmable controllers, software and peripheral equipment and maintenance of industrial controls.
• Working practical knowledge of programmable logic controllers (PLC), human-machine-interfaces (HMI), and SCADA systems, including Emerson PAC Machine Edition, GE Cimplicity software, Emerson RX3i controllers, Versamax PLC, Siemens S & controllers TIA Portal, Simatic Manager, and WinCC software.
• Strong communications skills to coordinate with co-workers, customers, and vendors including letter writing and complex report preparation.
• Techniques to work effectively under pressure, meet deadlines, be able to handle multi-tasking and adjust to changing priorities.
• Utilizing computer software programs affecting assigned work and in compiling and preparing spreadsheets and reports.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups and the general public.
• Developing and defining detailed technical requirements and scoping documents.
• Applying appropriate oral and written communication skills to various individuals ranging from Agency employees, engineering consultants, and local, state, and federal agencies.

Preferred Knowledge and Skills:

• Prior experience with rail or transit operation operations technology.
• GE, Emerson, Siemens platform experience.
• OT cybersecurity and network experience.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a standard office environment and in a transit system field environment including rail tunnels and equipment rooms.
• Positions working in field may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, physical harm, hazardous chemicals, and/or extreme noise.
• Position is responsible for testing, troubleshooting, and maintaining Operations Technology systems and equipment at stations, operations facilities, guideways, and parking garages; may be suject to bending, grasping, hearing, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, repetitive motion, standing, talking, seeing, walking, and carrying and lifting up to 25 pounds.
• Position includes rotating 24/7 on-call technical support including on-site attendance for emergency or critical failure conditions as well as occasional night and weekend shift work.
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR c)

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