Traction Power Engineer

Your role

Technical Leadership & Delivery Excellence

Serve as technical lead and subject matter expert for traction power and rail electrical systems, including:

• Lead traction power studies and calculations (load flow/power-flow, short-circuit, cable sizing, protection coordination, grounding/step-touch, arc-flash) and translate results into robust designs, specifications, and drawings.
• Hands on experience developing detailed design and specifications for DC systems (600/750/1000/1500V) and AC systems (12.5/25KV).
• Traction power substations (AC utility interfaces, transformers, rectifiers/inverters as applicable), distribution, switching/sectionalization.
• Power supply and distribution for third rail and/or OCS, including feeder arrangements and interface requirements.
• Protection & relaying, controls, SCADA/communications interfaces, and system monitoring.
• Grounding/bonding, negative return, stray current mitigation concepts, and power quality.
• Considerations.

Direct and oversee the development of

• Conceptual through final designs; technical specifications; contract documents.
• Drawings and deliverables such as site plans, duct bank/cable plans, grounding grids, single-line diagrams, schematics, conduit/wire schedules.
• Ensure compliance with relevant standards and requirements, including MTA/agency standards, NFPA 130, NEC, IEEE and other applicable codes and guidelines.
• Provide oversight of quality, safety, scope, schedule, budget, and risk across assigned projects and task orders.
• Collaborate with PMs and discipline leads (track, signals, communications, civil/structural, architecture, OCS/third rail, systems integration) to deliver coordinated solutions.
• Support construction delivery by providing technical support for:

  Field investigations, site walks, constructability reviews.

  Submittal/shop drawing review, RFI responses, and design clarifications.

  Factory/shop testing, witness testing where required, and commissioning/closeout support.

• Coordinate with utility companies and stakeholders to define service requirements, outages, interface responsibilities, and operational constraints.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the technical content of power systems aspects of multiple projects, including but not limited to design, coordination, preparation of Works Submittals, and interface with Governmental Authorities, as delegated by the Manager, Power Systems.
• Act as the nominated delegate for the Manager, Power Systems.
• Assist the Manager, Power Systems in the development of the Power Systems team's range of product services and offerings, in conjunction with the Director, PS&D'and the managers of Contact Systems and Consultancy & Services.
• Act as a mentor and adviser to the members of the Power Systems team in relation to their skill and career development.
• Assist the Manager, Power Systems in the guidance and direction of the training programs within the Power Systems team.
• Assist the Manager, Power Systems to maintain data for the current team utilization and their forecast backlog of the Power Systems Team.
• Contributes to the preparation, tracking of and follows project RFI's'and Design Query's.
• Contributing to the coordination of risk review activities and register updates.
• Participating regularly required project meetings.
• Participating in ad-hoc interdisciplinary meetings as required.
• Interfacing with design groups (communications, fixed facilities, etc.) and with external team members (architects, code consultants, major suppliers, etc.).
• Providing information and support to allow component, sub-system and system procurement.
• Deliver design\construction and interface control documentation.
• Interaction with Operations and Maintenance team.
• Support of construction and installation activities in the field.
• Support for Test & Commissioning and setting to work of Power Systems.
• Knowledge of formal systems engineering assessment, validation and verification techniques and processes.
• Ability to research and develop solutions to a potentially wide range of railway EMC issues, including load flow and transient analyses, modelling and simulation, setting design guidelines and the application of mitigations for issues identified.
• Understanding of the financial and commercial implications of EMC management from bid through to operational stages.
• Has a previous track record in process development, test plan development and similar issues.
• Design traction power supply systems including traction substations, Overhead Catenary Systems (OCS), third rail systems, DC/AC power distribution, and associated protection systems.
• Prepare load flow analyses, short circuit studies, protection coordination calculations, and grounding/bonding designs.
• Develop technical specifications, Bills of Quantities (BOQs), and design drawings for traction power equipment and infrastructure.
• Review and approve contractor design submittals, shop drawings, and equipment datasheets for technical compliance with project requirements• Coordinate interface requirements between traction power systems and civil, track, signalling, and rolling stock disciplines.
• Oversee installation, testing, and commissioning of traction power substations, OCS, and associated equipment.
• Ensure compliance with applicable electrical standards and railway safety regulations (IEC, IEEE, EN 50122, EN 50124).
• Investigate traction power system faults and failures; conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Support Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) and Site Acceptance Tests (SAT) for traction power equipment.
• Prepare and review technical reports, maintenance plans, and as-built documentation.
• Provide value engineering recommendations to optimise traction power system design and reduce lifecycle costs.
• Liaise with utility providers for grid connection requirements and power supply agreements.

Key Competencies

• Proficiency in power systems analysis software (ETAP, DIgSILENT, PSCAD).
• Detailed knowledge of DC traction systems (600/750/1500V) and AC systems (12.5/25kV).
• Experience with OCS design and third rail systems.
• Understanding of EMI/EMC requirements in rail electrification.