Project Engineer, Overhead Contact System (OCS)

The role

The Project Engineer provides engineering leadership for 25kV AC railway electrification systems on the California High-Speed Rail Program. This role involves leading reviews of OCS designs, coordinating system interfaces, and providing engineering support during installation, testing, and commissioning.

What you will do

• Develop and review OCS engineering deliverables, construction packages, and technical specifications
• Lead review of OCS designs, wiring plans, structure layouts, and electrification studies
• Review catenary layouts, structural interfaces, grounding and bonding requirements, and electrical clearances
• Review geometry requirements, system performance requirements, and dynamic interaction criteria
• Coordinate interfaces between OCS and traction power, trackwork, structures, signaling, communications, and rolling stock
• Coordinate OCS interfaces with traction power substations, SCADA systems, stations, maintenance facilities, and operations
• Provide engineering support for 25kV AC OCS systems and related components
• Provide engineering support during installation, testing, commissioning, and energization activities
• Support technical issue resolution, field design clarifications, and implementation challenges
• Review contractor technical submissions and turnover documentation

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Railway Engineering, Systems Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a related discipline
• Minimum of ten (10) years of railway electrification or OCS engineering experience
• Demonstrated experience supporting OCS systems from design through testing, commissioning, and final acceptance
• Experience reviewing engineering deliverables on large transportation infrastructure projects
• Strong working knowledge of railway electrification interfaces and operational requirements
• Experience reviewing catenary layouts, structure layouts, wiring plans, and electrification studies
• Working knowledge of grounding and bonding, traction return systems, and electrical clearance requirements
• Experience coordinating OCS interfaces with traction power, trackwork, structures, signaling, and rolling stock
• Experience developing and reviewing testing procedures, commissioning documentation, and energization programs
• Experience participating in Factory Acceptance Testing, Site Acceptance Testing, and integrated testing programs
• Strong technical writing, coordination, and stakeholder engagement skills
• Availability for travel of 25 to 50 percent along the alignment

Nice to have

• Professional Engineer (PE) licensure; additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of licensure
• High-speed rail project experience
• Experience delivering 25kV AC OCS systems
• Experience with high-speed catenary systems and electrification infrastructure
• Familiarity with EN standards, FRA requirements, and AREMA guidance
• Experience supporting dynamic testing and pantograph-catenary interaction assessment
• Experience supporting operational readiness activities and system certification
• Experience supporting entry into revenue service on an electrified passenger railway

About the company

Burns Engineering provides professional engineering design and project management services for transportation, facilities, and infrastructure projects. They are an ENR Top 500 Firm.