senior director, project engineering

Salary

$141, $211,681.60 Annually

Location

Los Angeles, CA

Job Type

Regular Employee

Job Number

2400993

Cabinet

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

Cost Center

8410 - ALTERNATIVE DELIVERY/ CONSTRUCTION MGMT

Opening Date

10/17/2025

Closing Date

10/31/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

FLSA

Exempt

Bargaining Unit

Non-Contract

Metro's mission is to provide a world-class transportation system that enhances the quality of life for all who live, work, and play within LA County.

Responsible for the management and performance of the strategic and tactical activities of a Project Engineering group supporting planning, design, and construction for Metro projects. The Senior Director, Project Engineering will be for the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 project. The position will oversee the design and engineering development of the project, ensuring technical excellence, compliance, and effective coordination with internal departments, consultants, and external agencies. This position plays a key leadership role in advancing the project through the 30% design milestone and preparing it for procurement and construction.

Recruitment Timelines: Interviews are projected to be scheduled for the week of November 17, 2025. These dates are subject to change. We encourage you to monitor your profile and emails for the latest updates.

• Prepares Project Engineering Facilities or Systems group work plan and administers the group's work for compliance with authorized budget and schedule
• Coordinates with other Engineering Directors to plan, prioritize, update, and monitor the Department's work and to assign staff to each project
• Directs the activities of Project Engineering Facilities or Systems group to monitor and review the work of consultants, subconsultants, cost and schedule proposals, negotiations, and development of consultant workplans
• Develops work scopes and negotiates consultant services contracts and contract changes; coordinates and supervises consultants' engineering design activities
• Directs engineering and architectural activities related to the design and construction or modification of major bus and rail facilities, guideways, tunnels, and structures
• Directs coordination with other environmental engineering activities, including site assessments, ground water remediation, soil remediation, liquid waste testing and disposal, permitting, water conservation, and regulatory compliance
• Directs and oversees management of projects related to ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), Clean Air Act, and others as mandated by federal, state, and local regulatory agencies
• Directs engineering activities related to the systems design and construction of new and existing transit systems facilities, including mechanical, electrical, and communications work
• Investigates project problems and makes recommendations to prevent future occurrences
• Resolves conflicts between designer and project requirements and or regulatory requirements
• Validates that the designs perform as expected by detail testing
• Evaluates system's manufacturers recommended component overhaul schedules
• Assures that state-of-the-art engineering approaches are applied during design and construction of engineering projects and work complies with Metro Standards and Criteria
• Contributes updates to the Metro Design Criteria, as necessary, based on lessons learned on other projects
• Ensures work complies with federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and rules
• Assists in planning, developing and implementing departmental policies and procedures and recommending improvements
• Assists in establishing and implementing Construction Project Management's goals and objectives
• Prepares reports, test plans, presentations, and white papers; presents reports to management and Board of Directors
• Confers with Metro management, staff, government officials, contractors, and consultants regarding engineering matters relating to systems improvements
• Directs a staff of professional engineers, architects, and associates directly and through subordinate management
• Communicates and implements safety rules, policies, and procedures in support of the agency's safety vision and goals; and maintains accountability for the safety performance of all assigned employees
• Leads design team for plan check with city, county, Caltrans, public utilities, SCAQMD (South Coast Air Quality Management District), and other regulatory agencies

May be required to perform other related job duties

*This classification is At-Will and the incumbent serves at the pleasure of the Hiring Authority.*

A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Additional experience, as outlined below, may be substituted for required education on a year-for-year basis. A typical combination includes:

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Architecture, or a related field; Master's Degree in a related field preferred

Experience

• Five years of relevant management-level experience in facilities or systems engineering design and construction of major public agency transit projects or major public agency building projects

Certifications/Licenses/Special Requirements

• State of California registration as a Professional Engineer or Architect is preferred
• A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications (PQs) are used to identify relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) as determined by business necessity. These criteria are considered preferred qualifications and are not intended to serve as minimum requirements for the position. PQs will help support selection decisions throughout the recruitment. In addition, applicants who possess these PQs will not automatically be selected.

The following are the preferred qualifications:

• Experience working on large, complex transit or infrastructure projects through planning, design, or construction phases.
• Experience directing multidisciplinary engineering teams and coordinating with multiple stakeholders, including city agencies and utility owners.
• Experience managing budgets, schedules, and consultant contracts for multi-million dollar capital projects.

Knowledge of (defined as a learned body of information that is required for and applied in the performance of job tasks)

• Theories, principles, and practices of engineering and architectural planning, design, construction of transit system facilities, bus and rail transit systems, and vehicle engineering
• Contemporary construction methods, equipment, material, and construction costs
• Research techniques and report preparation
• Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations
• Project management
• Safety policies and procedures
• Public agency procurement procedures and contract administration
• Modern management theory

Skill in(defined as the proficient manual, verbal, or mental utilization of data, people, or things)

• Planning, organizing, and directing the overall functioning of an engineering department
• Managing engineering planning, design, and construction
• Following regulations, policies, and procedures
• Communicating effectively orally and in writing
• Analytics, troubleshooting, and decision making
• Interacting professionally with various levels of Metro employees and outside representatives
• Exercising sound judgment and creativity in making decisions
• Determining strategies to achieve goals
• Establishing and implementing policies and procedures
• Managing and directing subordinate staff

Ability to(defined as a present competence to perform an observable behavior or produce an observable result)

• Read and interpret civil engineering, mechanical, and electrical drawings
• Lead and share the vision/objectives
• Actively listen
• Determine risks and any long-term safety issues with a specific design
• Think and act independently
• Understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, budgets, and labor/management agreements
• Prepare comprehensive reports and correspondence
• Plan financial and staffing needs
• Make financial decisions within a budget
• Travel to construction sites
• Read, write, speak, and understand English

Special Conditions

• This job specification is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements
• The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job
• Metro provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
• This classification is at-will and the incumbent serves at the pleasure of the hiring authority
• Contributes to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and programs of Metro are carried out

Working Conditions

• Typical office situation
• Close exposure to computer monitors and video screen

Physical Effort Required

• Sitting at a desk or table
• Operate a telephone or other telecommunications device and communicate through the medium
• Type and use a keyboard and mouse to perform necessary computer-based functions
• Communicating through speech in the English language required

RS

Metro is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status, or disability. Learn more about Metro's Equal Employment Opportunity Program. Metro does not deny participation in the application process to anyone with prior justice system involvement, in line with Fair Chance hiring practices.

Selection Procedure

Applicants who best meet job-related qualifications will be invited to participate in the examination process that may consist of any combination of written, performance, or oral appraisal to further evaluate job-related experience, knowledge, skills and abilities.

Application Procedure

To apply, visit Metro's website at and complete an online Employment Application.

Computers are available to complete online Employment Applications at the following Metro locations:

METRO Headquarters, Employment Office

One Gateway Plaza

Los Angeles, CA 90012

Open: Monday through Friday, 8am-4pm

(Closed Sat & Sun)

Metro Talent Hub

8501 S. Evermont Place

Los Angeles, CA 90044

Open: Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm

(Closed Sat & Sun)

East Los Angeles Customer Center

4501 B Whittier Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90022

Open: Tuesday through Saturday, 10am to 6pm

(Closed Sun & Mon)

Wilshire/Vermont Customer Center

3183 Wilshire Blvd, Ste 174

Los Angeles, CA 90010

Open: Monday through Friday, 10am-6pm

(Closed Sat & Sun)

Rosa Parks Customer Center

Willowbrook/Rosa Parks Station

11720 Wilmington Ave

Los Angeles, CA 90059

Open: Monday through Friday, 6am to 6:30pm

(Closed Sat & Sun)

Telephone: or persons with hearing or speech impairments can use California Relay Service 711 to contact Metro.

All completed online Employment Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the closing date. Late applications will not be considered.

• Open to the public and all Metro employees

This job bulletin is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Employees may be required to perform other related job duties.

*Please refer to the applicable benefit type (Regular or Temporary)*

BENEFITS FOR REGULAR EMPLOYEES

Benefits cover probationary or regular full-time (working at least 40 hrs/week) employees of Metro.

We offer a range of high-quality medical, dental and vision plan options as well as health care spending accounts for you and your family. Metro will cover a significant portion of your health care premiums.

Medical/Dental/Vision Plan - Employee has the choice of 3 separate medical plans and 3 dental plans. A separate vision plan is included in each medical plan.

Group Life Insurance - PTSC pays for an amount equal to your annual salary, rounded up to the nearest $1,000. Minimum amount of life insurance is $30,000.

Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance - PTSC provides $50,000 coverage for each employee. Additional voluntary coverage in amounts up to $500,000 is available at favorable premium rates.

Long-Term Disability Insurance - 100% employer paid. Provides employees with a minimum income of 60% of earnings after six months of disability. Buy up or buy down options available.

Holidays - 12 days a year: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans' Day, Cesar E Chavez, Juneteenth,Thanksgiving Day, Day After Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.

Time off with Pay (TOWP) - Compensates employees who are on approved absence from work for reasons such as illness, injury, medical and dental appointments, personal business, vacation, or observance of (a) religious holiday.

Years of Service Annual Accrual

Hire date - 5 years 20 days

Beginning of 6th - 10th year 25 days

Beginning of 11th - 15th year 30 days

Beginning of 16th + years 35 days

Pension Plan - PTSC retirement plan is the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). Vesting is five (5) years. Minimum retirement age is 52, based on the 2% at 62 formula.

Other Benefits: Transportation passes for employees and/or eligible dependents; Medicare; Tuition reimbursement; credit union membership; SDI; Deferred Compensation Plan; 401(K) Thrift plan; EAP; Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts; Flexible work schedules; and Jury Duty Pay.

BENEFITS FOR TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES

Temporary (Contingent) employees are eligible for the following benefits only:

• Kaiser medical insurance
• Public Pension Plan
• 457/401K Plan
• Flex Spending
• Paid Sick Time
• Fare Media
• Rideshare Subsidies
• Metro One Fitness membership

For more information on the Benefits Enrollment for Contingent Employees, please visit LA Metro's Pension & Benefits website