Engineer, Vehicle Maintenance

At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA’s core values are built around safety, service, equity, sustainability, culture, and accessibility, and each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.

Job Summary

The Engineer, Vehicle Maintenance, provides technical and engineering support to Vehicle Maintenance, including Everett Main Repair, Rail Maintenance, and/or Bus Maintenance. The role supports fleet reliability, technical troubleshooting, failure analysis, vehicle and component modifications, procurement, testing, and overhaul, as well as coordination with vendors and car builders for new and existing equipment. The Engineer participates as a technical member of project teams and assists with the development, review, and implementation of specifications, procedures, drawings, test plans, and technical reports.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Prepare, review, and evaluate technical specifications, drawings, manuals, test procedures, and related engineering documentation.
• Participate in design reviews, technical meetings, inspections, testing, commissioning, and acceptance activities for vehicles, components, and major systems.
• Inspect vehicles, major systems, and components at MBTA facilities, vendor locations, car builder facilities, and other assigned work sites.
• Provide field engineering support during service-impacting events, equipment failures, incidents, inspections, testing, investigations, and other operational needs as required.
• Participate in a rotational assignment with other Vehicle Maintenance Engineers to provide coverage of the OCC Vehicle Maintenance Desk, including technical troubleshooting, fleet failure response, service-impacting issue coordination, incident support, and reliability support.
• Support vehicle and component troubleshooting, root cause analysis, failure analysis, warranty review, and the development of corrective actions.
• Review and support vehicle, system, and component modifications, including engineering change requests, configuration changes, and related documentation.
• Maintain awareness of vehicle configuration, documentation control, and version control requirements to ensure engineering records, technical documents, and fleet changes remain accurate and consistent.
• Assist with the coordination and planning of inspections, testing, overhaul activities, modification programs, and technical project schedules.
• Prepare and provide written technical reports, recommendations, summaries, and responses to technical issues in a timely and accurate manner.
• Coordinate with internal departments, vendors, contractors, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders on technical, operational, and safety-sensitive matters.
• Support procurement and contract-related technical reviews, including specifications, submittals, testing requirements, inspection requirements, acceptance criteria, and vendor performance issues.
• Remain current with the MBTA Safety Management System Plan and comply with position-specific safety responsibilities.
• Drive a company or personal vehicle, in accordance with MBTA policy, to inspect work, conduct investigations, respond to emergencies, or visit assigned work sites as needed.
• Respond to inquiries from customers, vendors, co-workers, and stakeholders in a courteous, timely, and professional manner.
• Uphold the rights and interests of the Authority while building and maintaining effective working relationships with employees, departments, vendors, and stakeholders.
• Adhere to the rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements, and policies of the Authority, including EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.
  
  

Additional responsibilities may include a focus on one or more departments or locations. See applicable addendum for department or location-specific functions.

Supervision

• None.
  
  

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Three (3) years of engineering experience.
• Knowledge of mechanical and/or electrical engineering principles, practices, components, specifications, and technical documentation.
• Ability to analyze electrical circuits, mechanical systems, vehicle systems, components, and operating parameters.
• Ability to comprehend electrical, operational, and/or mechanical characteristics of transit vehicles and related systems.
• Knowledge of component failure mechanisms and their interaction with transit vehicles, components, and major systems.
• Knowledge of real-time networks, including network communication theory, testing, design, and applications, preferred as applicable to the assignment.
• Effective organizational, analytical, time management, and multi-tasking skills.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, database applications, and related technical systems.
• Ability to communicate effectively with internal departments, vendors, contractors, regulatory agencies, community organizations, and other stakeholders on technical and sensitive matters.
• Excellent customer service, communication, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with a courteous, timely, and professional experience.
• Ability to respond to service-impacting issues, technical problems, field conditions, and operational needs in a timely and professional manner.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced, safety-sensitive transportation environment.
• Valid driver’s license in accordance with MBTA policy.
  
  

Substitutions

• None.
  
  

Preferred Experience & Skills

• Experience with transit vehicles.
• Experience with network control of systems.
• Experience with CAD systems.
  
  

Job Conditions

• Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program.
• Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
• Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required).
• Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
• Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
• Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
• Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
• Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
• Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op. Additionally, interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting pre-employment screenings / pre-boarding, working in their positions, and throughout the duration of their program.
  
  

Disclaimers And Definitions

• General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.
• Application Completion: It is each applicant’s responsibility to ensure application details are entered completely and correctly, including updated work and education histories (past and current). Incomplete applications may not be considered. Attachments do not substitute for application fields. The recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history.
• Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.
• Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.
• Work Eligibility: All employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States and on an unrestricted basis. The MBTA does not have an employer work sponsorship program. However, if you have unrestricted work authorization, or are sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply. Further, all persons hired will require a U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting the position and employees will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
• Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one-time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview. In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.
• Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.
• On-call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.
• Essential / Emergency Staff: During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.
• ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTA's ADA Unit at 617-222-5751 or hradaaa@mbta.com .
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer . For terms, descriptions, and definitions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, veteran status, and immediate family members that you may find on the application form, please visit mbta.com/careers-app-definitions .
• Intern / Co-Op Benefits: Employees taking part in an internship or co-op at the MBTA are eligible to receive accrued paid sick leave as well as a monthly transportation pass, based on the city from which the intern / co-op commutes to work, at no cost. However, no additional benefits are currently offered for interns or co-ops.