Field Engineer, Signaling and Train Control

About Burns

Burns Engineering provides professional engineering design and project management services for transportation, facilities, and infrastructure projects. We help our clients attain their strategic goals and initiatives through successful large-scale infrastructure projects. Burns’ full-service capabilities include mechanical, electrical, civil, structural, transportation, and energy consulting engineering.

Recently voted a Top Workplace by Philly.com, we credit our strength as an organization to our talented, driven, vibrant team. Burns is an ENR Top 500 Firm, and has been named an MEP Giant by Consulting-Specifying Engineer Magazine, as well as a Hot Firm by Zweig. We are industry experts, proven leaders, innovative thinkers, and team players. We put our clients’ successes and best interests first, because their success is our success. We have fun at work because we love making a difference in the world. We are looking for high-energy, bright, collaborative individuals who want the opportunity to “write their own story” with us.

Burns is currently seeking a Field Engineer, Signaling and Train Control to join our Transit and Rail Team in Sacramento, CA.

The Field Engineer, Signaling and Train Control, serves as the Owner and PDS field representative for the installation, integration, testing, commissioning, and acceptance of signaling and train control systems on the California High-Speed Rail (CAHSR) Program. The position provides field technical oversight of ETCS, PTC, ATP, interlockings, axle counters, balises, train detection systems, wayside signaling equipment, signaling equipment rooms, and Operations Control Center infrastructure.

In this role, the Field Engineer verifies conformance of signaling implementation with approved drawings, specifications, standards, and Program requirements; reviews field conditions and supports resolution of technical issues; and coordinates interfaces between signaling, communications, track, rolling stock, and operations. The position supports and witnesses Factory Acceptance Testing, Site Acceptance Testing, System Integration Testing, route proving, interlocking testing, dynamic testing, trial running, and operational readiness demonstrations, and reviews as-built documentation, turnover packages, and test records supporting system acceptance.

The position is based in Sacramento, California. Reporting to the Project Manager, Signaling and Train Control, the Field Engineer supplies the Program with independent field verification, documented deficiency and corrective action records, and the on-site technical presence required to support safety certification and entry into service. Domestic and international travel of approximately 50 percent is expected.

Position Responsibilities

• Provide field technical oversight of signaling and train control implementation activities across the corridor
• Verify conformance of installed work with approved drawings, specifications, railway standards, and Program requirements
• Review field conditions and support resolution of technical issues affecting installation, testing, and commissioning
• Coordinate field interfaces between signaling, communications, track, rolling stock, traction power, and operations systems
• Support review of as-built documentation, turnover packages, and technical submissions
• Support multidisciplinary interface coordination and review interface requirements, signaling designs, testing procedures, and integration documentation
• Collaborate with contractors, designers, suppliers, operators, regulators, and Program stakeholders to support delivery and operational readiness
• Support and witness Factory Acceptance Testing, Site Acceptance Testing, and System Integration Testing
• Support and witness route proving, interlocking testing, dynamic testing, trial running, and operational readiness demonstrations
• Review test results, technical documentation, and system performance data supporting system acceptance and entry into service
• Provide field oversight for ETCS, PTC, ATP, interlockings, axle counters, balises, and train detection systems
• Provide field oversight for wayside signaling equipment, signaling equipment rooms, and Operations Control Center infrastructure
• Verify compliance with Program requirements, railway standards, and applicable regulations
• Document deficiencies, track corrective actions, and drive closure in support of safety certification and operational approvals
• Support supplier coordination and attend supplier facilities for factory inspection and acceptance activities, including domestic and international travel of approximately 50 percent

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Railway Engineering, or a related discipline or demonstrable on-the-job work experience, and a minimum of ten (10) years of railway signaling, train control, or rail systems experience
• Demonstrated experience supporting signaling systems through design, installation, testing, commissioning, and acceptance
• Experience with ETCS, CBTC, ATP, PTC, or equivalent train control systems
• Demonstrated participation in Factory Acceptance Testing, Site Acceptance Testing, System Integration Testing, and operational readiness activities
• Experience reviewing signaling technical documentation, test procedures, and system interfaces on complex transportation projects
• Strong working knowledge of systems integration, railway operations, and safety-critical applications
• Experience reviewing engineering deliverables on large transportation infrastructure projects
• Demonstrated ability to document deficiencies and drive corrective action closure in a field environment
• Strong communication, coordination, and stakeholder engagement skills
• Availability for domestic and international travel of approximately 50 percent

Preferred Qualifications/ Certifications/ Licensures

• ETCS Level 2 or ERTMS deployment experience
• Experience with CBTC, ATP, PTC, or ATO systems
• High-speed rail project experience
• Familiarity with FRA requirements and U.S. railway regulations
• Working knowledge of EN 50126, EN 50128, and EN 50129
• Experience supporting system certification, safety approvals, and operational readiness activities
• Experience supporting entry into revenue service on a passenger railway
• Professional Engineer (PE) licensure or IRSE licensing

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