Construction Engineer - Traction Power & Overhead Contact Systems

Overview

Ramos CS, now part of Colliers Engineering & Design, is an engineering, program, and construction management firm providing quality transit, transportation, and infrastructure consulting services on public projects across the Western United States. We focus our solutions on mobility-related projects that serve the needs of our communities within the municipal, transit, transportation, airport, and port sectors.

With a staff of diversified, licensed professionals, our philosophy stems from the idea that successful project execution starts with people.

We are seeking a Construction Engineer for Traction Power Substations & Overhead Contact Systems to perform field engineering and inspection work as Owner's Representative on a light rail extension program's trackwork and systems construction contract. The Construction Engineer oversees installation, testing, and commissioning of traction power substations (TPSS), the overhead contact system (OCS), and traction power distribution, and reviews the work of the Contractor in accordance with the applicable Design Criteria Manual, Construction Management Manual, and all governing specifications. The Construction Engineer documents contractor activities, verifies quantities, and identifies issues that may require a change order.

Responsibilities

• Performs field inspections of TPSS, OCS, and traction power distribution work to determine compliance with plans, specifications, and systems integration requirements.
• Witnesses and documents substation equipment installation, cable installation and terminations, grounding and bonding, and OCS pole, wire, and tensioning installation.
• Witnesses factory acceptance testing, site acceptance testing, and energization of traction power equipment.
• Supports review of relay coordination studies, protection settings, and stray current control measures.
• Reviews contractor operations for compliance with OSHA regulations and Authority electrical safety requirements, including arc flash, lockout/tagout, and work near energized equipment.
• Reviews TPSS and OCS submittals, shop drawings, and test procedures.
• Provides technical and field construction engineering support to the Resident Engineer and Construction Manager.
• Coordinates surveying, inspections, and verification testing, and coordinates daily reports and document control.
• Completes Inspector Daily Reports (IDRs) and maintains complete and accurate project records.
• Calculates and documents field quantities for payment purposes.
• Identifies non-conforming work, communicates it to the Resident Engineer and quality management staff, documents it in the IDR, and tracks corrective actions to resolution.
• Coordinates TPSS and OCS interfaces with track, civil, train control, and communications work.
• Documents as-built conditions, including redline markups and configuration management.
• Supports energization planning, commissioning, and closeout activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related engineering discipline; an equivalent combination of traction power experience and technical training will be considered.
• Engineer-in-Training (EIT) or Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred.
• Approximately 5+ years of experience in installation, inspection, testing, or commissioning of traction power substations or overhead contact systems on light rail, heavy rail, or other electrified rail systems.
• Working knowledge of DC traction power equipment, protective relaying, and OCS installation standards.
• Familiarity with NEC, NESC, and IEEE standards.
• Must be able to work on-site in Seattle full-time during construction.
• Ability to read, write and understand English for purposes of comprehending written job-related communications and verbal instructions and interactions.

Compensation: $110,000 to $175,000 per year (depending on qualifications)

What We Offer

Ramos Consulting Services, now a part of Colliers Engineering & Design, offers competitive benefits that support our employees in their life and career. This position is eligible for company benefits including but not limited to:

• Employer-Provided Healthcare: 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for employee base plans. We also provide a 40% employer contribution toward dependent or family coverage plans.
• Paid Time Off: 120 hours of combined PTO and Sick Time annually, in addition to paid holidays.
• Retirement Planning: Participation in a 401(k) retirement plan with a generous company match of 50% on the first 6% of employee contributions.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Pre-tax FSA/HSA options for medical, dental, and dependent care expenses to help manage out-of-pocket costs.
• Employee Wellness & Support: 100% employer-paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP) providing 24/7 confidential support for work-life balance, financial wellness, and emotional well-being.
• National Resources & Career Growth: As part of the Colliers Engineering & Design national platform, employees have access to expanded technical resources, mentorship, and diverse career development opportunities across the Western United States and beyond.