Senior PTC Systems Engineer-UP

Job Description

The final salary will depend on the candidate's qualifications. Those with 8 years or more of required experience can expect offers up to the midpoint of the salary range. Metra provides full pay ranges so candidates can consider their growth potential.

Metra is one of the largest and most complex commuter rail systems in North America, serving Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Kane, and McHenry Counties. The agency is linking communities in Northeastern Illinois by providing safe, reliable, and efficient commuter service.

Engineering is responsible for building and maintaining the majority of Metra’s fixed assets, such as buildings, stations, bridges, track, electrical, telecommunications and signal systems. The Engineering Department also monitors the condition of and assists in building and maintaining the fixed assets on the freight lines where Metra trains operate. The Engineering Department is divided into two major groups: Capital Projects, and Communications and Maintenance.

Reporting to the Manager, PTC Operation Support, the Senior PTC Systems Engineer supports the long-term operations of the PTC system through troubleshooting and monitoring of the system; conducting analysis of complex PTC events, issues, and root cause analysis; and responding to end-user calls, documenting events and issues in the PTC ticketing system, and providing support to lower-level PTC Systems Engineers.

Primary Duties:

1. Support and maintain day-to-day PTC operations at the Metra Technical Assistance Center's (MTAC) help-desk responding to inquiries and resolving complex systems issues.
2. Conduct root cause analysis of PTC events, document findings and issues, and make recommendations to prevent future occurrences.
3. Function as subject-matter-expert providing technical assistance to others in resolving systems problems, and assisting in staff training including creating training documentation.
4. Create and implement policies, processes, and procedures to improve operational efficiencies and address systems issues and anomalies.
5. Create, maintain, and modify work schedules to ensure help desk coverage 24 hours a day seven days a week.
6. Participate in configuration management meetings analyzing the impact of changes to the system and ensuring changes are implemented in accordance with configuration management and quality assurance best practices.
7. Participate in staff and interdepartmental meetings providing status reports on events and review methodologies, and documenting processes to increase system performance.
8. Coordinate team’s day-to-day activities, assign tasks/projects and monitor performance, and provide guidance and training, but is not a supervisor.
9. Promote safe work practices and maintain and foster a safe work environment.
10. Perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree or, in lieu of a degree, a combination of education and experience that equals four years in Information Technology or Engineering with an emphasis on systems testing and root cause analysis.
• Five years of experience in a technical help desk environment, and user support facility with root cause analysis of digital components and systems including navigating systems with command line interface.
• Good knowledge of software, computers, operating systems (UNIX, Linux, Microsoft), and troubleshooting Edge devices by remote access.
• Good knowledge of rail industry systems.
• Good knowledge of troubleshooting processes for electrical and software systems.
• Good knowledge of FRA 49. CFR part 236 Subpart I 236.1029 of positive train control.
• Good problem solving, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft 365.
• Ability to work as a team and across organizational departments.
• Ability to apply analytical decision-making principles to determine root cause analysis.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Ability to stand, walk, and/or, for extended periods of time.
• Hearing/Visual acuity, far/near, depth perception, field of vision, color vision.
• Must be available to work flexible hours in the early morning, late afternoon, evenings, or weekends.
• Must be available on-call 24-hours/day, 7 days/week, 365 days/year, including weekends and holidays.

Preferred:

• Knowledge of PTC

Metra is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is our policy to fill vacant positions with qualified candidates without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, disability, or any protected categories, assuming an individual can perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.

Metra is committed to ensuring that our career website and recruiting process are accessible to all individuals. If you encounter difficulties or limitations in using or accessing our online application, or if you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, participate in interviews, complete any pre-employment testing, or engage in any other aspect of the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to