Vehicle Systems Engineer

  • BART
  • Oakland, California
  • Apr 19, 2024
Full Time Engineering
  • Salary: 106,187 USD

Job Description

Marketing Statement

Ride BART to a satisfying career that lets you both: 1) make a difference to Bay Area residents, and 2) enjoy excellent pay, benefits, and employment stability. BART is looking for people who like to be challenged, work in a fast-paced environment, and have a passion for connecting riders to work, school and other places they need to go. BART offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, paid time off, and the CalPERS retirement program.

Job Summary

Pay Rate
$106,187.00 / annually (Minimum) to $160,874.00 / annually (Maximum) - (Non-Represented Pay Band 6)

Initial salary is negotiable between $106,187.00 - $142,446.24, to commensurate with experience and education.

Reports To
Manager of Vehicle Systems Engineer or designee.

Current Assignment

This announcement will be used to establish a pool of eligible candidates for vacancies that may occur within the next twelve (12) months.

The Vehicle Systems Engineer (VSE) will be responsible to perform professional engineering duties in support of the repair, overhaul, evaluation, reliability, and maintenance of BART transit vehicles. They will provide support for the engineering of the train control networks, automatic train control systems, door systems, HVAC systems, friction brakes and propulsion systems, software-driven control systems, auxiliary power supply systems, electrical/electronic systems, mechanical, electro-mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems and components.

The incumbent will be directed to complete assigned REIs and work on testing, analysis, and design change and procedures. This assignment work will support the development of improved processes and designs related to the Legacy and Fleet of the Future (FOTF) vehicles and trains.

The ideal candidate has technical skills in railcar engineering. They will have experience in diagnostics, equipment testing, and troubleshooting. They will have skills in investigating and determining the cause of major transit vehicle equipment failures by applying principles of root cause failure analysis. Demonstrate competency in writing reports and technical procedures. They will be comfortable working in a shop environment and working with component / electrical repairs. They will have a degree in Electrical or related engineering field.

Selection Process
Applications will be screened to assure that minimum qualifications are met. Those applicants who meet minimum qualifications will then be referred to the hiring department for the completion of further selection processes.

The selection process for this position may include a skills/performance demonstration, a written examination, and a panel and/or individual interview.

The successful candidate must have an employment history demonstrating reliability and dependability; provide copies of certificates, diplomas or other documents as required by law, including those establishing his/her right to work in the U. S; pass a pre-employment medical examination which may include a drug and alcohol screen, and which is specific to the essential job functions and requirements. Pre-employment processing will also include a background check. (Does not apply to current full-time District employees unless specific job requires additional evaluations).

Examples of Duties

Performs a variety of vehicle systems engineering duties in support of the design repair, overhaul, evalua tion, reliability and maintenance of District transit vehicles.

Designs and specifies special testing and servicing equipment to troubleshoot and maintain transit vehicle subsystems.
Investigates and determines cause of major transit vehicle equipment failures and provides required corrections or equipment design changes.
Provides a variety of technical information in support of transit vehicle repair, engineering and design.
Provides technical assistance in the location and disposition of transit vehicle parts and equipment.
Participates in the analysis of vehicle equipment failures; develops, implements and documents resulting maintenance procedures and equipment design changes.
Creates a variety of technical engineering drawings, specifications and documents; ensures contract compliance, the use of proper engineering methods and compatibility with other systems.
Provides technical assistance in developing new advanced transit vehicle systems for use on District transit vehicles.
Defines quality assurance criteria and inspection procedures for the maintenance and repair of transit vehicles; audits maintenance staff to ensure compliance with standards.
Operates a variety of mechanical equipment in a safe and effective manner including electrical, mechanical and electro-mechanical test equipment.
Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of transit vehicle systems engineering.
Provides expert testimony in personal injury lawsuits against the District, as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education :
Possession of a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.

Experience :
The equivalent of two (2) years of (full-time) professional verifiable electrical or mechanical systems engineering experience, or related experience.

Other Requirements :
Must possess sufficient mobility to perform field inspections and investigations. Certification as an Engineer-In-Training (EIT) is preferred.

Working Conditions
Environmental Conditions :
Shop environment; exposure to electrical energy; travel from site to site.

Physical Conditions :
Requires maintaining physical condition necessary for walking, standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time; operating motorized equipment and vehicles; working or inspecting in confined spaces; working around heavy construction equipment; must be physically able to conduct field inspections and testing as assigned.

Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge of :
  • Operations, services and activities of a comprehensive transit vehicle engineering program
  • Principles and practices of mechanical or electrical engineering as they relate to transit vehicles
  • Transit vehicle electrical and mechanical equipment and subsystems
  • Computers and applications utilized in vehicle diagnostics
  • Principles and practices of engineering specification preparation and re view
  • Materials and equipment utilized in testing and repairing transit vehicles
  • Operational characteristics of various mechanical testing equipment and tools
  • Occupational hazards and standard safety practices
  • Related Federal, State and local codes, laws and regulations

Skill/Ability in :
  • Performing a variety of transit vehicle inspections, maintenance and repair engineering duties
  • Operating a variety of vehicle testing equipment in a safe and effective manner
  • Providing a variety of technical information in support of transit vehicle operations
  • Analyzing vehicle equipment failures and developing equipment design changes
  • Preparing a variety of complex engineering drawings and specifications
  • Writing technical safety reports
  • Defining quality assurance criteria and inspection procedures for maintenance and repair of transit vehicles
  • Understanding and following oral and written instructions
  • Communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
  • Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work


Equal Employment Opportunity GroupBox1

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 and above), religion, national origin (including language use restrictions), disability (mental and physical, including HIV and AIDS), ancestry, marital status, military status, veteran status, medical condition (cancer/genetic characteristics and information), or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.

The BART Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities or for religious reasons. Please advise the Human Resources Department of any special needs in advance of the examination by emailing at least 5 days before your examination date at employment@bart.gov .

Qualified veterans may be eligible to obtain additional veteran's credit in the selection process for this recruitment (effective Jan. 1, 2013). To obtain the credit, veterans must attach to the application a DD214 discharge document or proof of disability and complete/submit the Veteran's Preference Application no later than the closing date of the posting. For more information about this credit please go to the Veteran's Preference Policy and Application link at www.bart.gov/jobs .

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) prides itself in offering best in class benefits packages to employees of the District. Currently, the following benefits may be available to employees in this job classification.

Highlights
  • Medical Coverage (or $350/month if opted out)
  • Dental Coverage
  • Vision Insurance (Basic and Enhanced Plans Available)
  • Retirement Plan through the CA Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS)
    • 2% @ 55 (Classic Members)
    • 2% @ 62 (PEPRA Members)
    • 3% at 50 (Safety Members - Classic)
    • 2.7% @ 57 (Safety Members - PEPRA)
    • Reciprocity available for existing members of many other public retirement systems (see BART website and/or CalPERS website for details)
Money Purchase Pension Plan (in-lieu of participating in Social Security tax)
  • 6.65% employer contribution up to annual maximum of $1,868.65
Deferred Compensation & Roth 457 Sick Leave Accruals (12 days per year) Vacation Accruals (3-6 weeks based on time worked w/ the District) Holidays: 9 observed holidays and 5 floating holidays Life Insurance w/ ability to obtain additional coverage Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance Survivor Benefits through BART Short-Term Disability Insurance Long-Term Disability Insurance Flexible Spending Accounts: Health and Dependent Care Commuter Benefits Free BART Passes for BART employees and eligible family members.

Closing Date/Time: 10/5/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Base Pay

106,187

Job Address

Oakland, California United States View Map