Rail & Transit Traction Power Leader
AtkinsRéalis
New York, NY
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).
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Demonstrate experience providing Traction Power Design for AC and DC rail systems in North America. 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Posted 2026-06-27
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