Traction Power and Overhead Contact Systems

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

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Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

Position Description:
The primary duties of the Traction Power and Overhead Contact Systems (TPS/OCS) Practice Leader involve the technical leadership for rail systems projects pertaining to traction electrification and overhead contact systems (OCS) and other distribution systems. Specific responsibilities include technical leadership, design management, design production, lead on specific design packages, as well as coordinating the assembly of plans and specifications and construction support. This position supports various rail and transit projects throughout North America to serve the contract requirements and respond to client needs.

The successful candidate will have experience in developing technical specifications, criteria and drawings for AC and DC traction power systems and the interfaces to train control, communications, rolling stock, operations control centers and other elements of rail systems. As such, the candidate will have the ability to pro-actively lead tasks between technical groups and be innovative in solving complex challenges.

Responsibilities:

• Project work will include electrification distribution design for Streetcar, Electrified Bus, Light Rail, Heavy Rail, Commuter Rail and High Speed Rail Projects operating on Overhead Contact or Third Rail Systems.
• Design work would include OCS design, sectionalizing, equipment sizing and protection, SCADA and control center interface, system feeders and returns, traction power distribution systems, bonding and grounding, etc.
• Mentoring and development of staff in traction power and OCS design practices is
• Project management work will include client needs coordination, scoping, fee preparation, scheduling, budget tracking, and delivery of work products.
• Project pursuits, client development, opportunity tracking and proposal work is required.
• Work location would include both Home Office and short term travel to cities installing or planning to install Electrified Transit Systems. Long term field assignments may also be available.

Skills and additional attributes:

• Individual must be technically competent, with recognized rail specialization that resolves problems of significant scope and complexity.
• The individual should have industry standing in technical committees in the electrification field, and have established relationships with rail and transit clients throughout North America.
• Experience in designing AC and DC traction power and distribution systems for trolley, streetcar, light rail, metro rail, commuter and high-speed rail systems.
• In addition to performing design work by themselves, the individual will be required to plan, organize, and coordinate the tasks and assignments for a group of professionals and technicians across multiple projects.
• Past experience leading teams and having direct client interface and complete project life-cycle (design, installation, testing and commissioning) is required.
• Experience as a group leader or Department Head for TPS/OCS work for an agency and consultant is desirable.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field – (Civil Engineering or Mechanical Engineering)
• Advanced degree preferred
• PE license required
• 15+ years experience in railway electrification systems
• Industry standing and involvement in AREMA, APTA, IEEE Technical committees
• Solid experience with electrification systems for intercity, commuter systems, heavy rail, light rail, street car and electrified bus operations
• AC/DC traction electrification, overhead contact and distribution system design and implementation is required
• Experience with CADD tools and ability to complete designs individually
• Must have excellent organizational and communication skills

Key word(s):
electrification, transit systems, overhead contact system, electrical, traction power, rail transit, railway design, transportation, engineering, transit design, electrical, systems.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering
• 10 years related experience
• A minimum 5 years project management experience
• Requires professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered. Example: Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license.
• MS Office and MS Project experience (Access experience would be plus)
• Demonstrated leadership, business development and strategic planning skills
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement. The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.) California: $____ - $____ ; Colorado: $____ - $____; Hawaii: $____ - $____; Illinois: $____ - $____ ; Maryland: $____ - $____; Massachusetts: $____ - $____; Minnesota: $____ - $____ ; New Jersey: $____ - $____; New York: $____ - $____; Ohio: $____ - $____ ; Washington D.C. : $____ - $____; Washington State: $____ - $____

Primary Location:
United States-Pennsylvania-Philadelphia

Other Locations:
United States-Ohio-Cincinnati, United States-North Carolina-Charlotte, United States-Texas-Austin, United States-Washington-Bellevue, United States-Missouri-Kansas City, United States-Florida-Miami, United States-Massachusetts-Boston, United States-Colorado-Denver, United States-Minnesota-Saint Louis Park, United States-California-Sacramento, United States-Florida-Fort Lauderdale, United States-Tennessee-Nashville, United States-New Jersey-Newark, United States-New York-New York, United States-Maryland-Baltimore, United States-Utah-Salt Lake City, United States-District of Columbia-Washington DC, United States-Texas-Houston, United States-California-Irvine, Canada-Ontario-Toronto, United States-Hawaii-Honolulu, United States-Arizona-Phoenix, United States-California-San Francisco, United States-Georgia-Atlanta, United States-South Carolina-Charleston, United States-Virginia-Vienna, United States-Oregon-Portland, United States-Illinois-Chicago, United States-California-Los Angeles, United States-Minnesota-Minneapolis, United States-North Carolina-Raleigh, United States-Washington-Seattle, United States-Ohio-Cleveland, United States-Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh, United States-Texas-Dallas, United States-California-San Diego

Industry:
Transit

Schedule:
Full-time

Employee Status:
Regular

BusinessClass:
Rail and Transit Systems

Job Posting:
Oct 16, 2025

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer ). We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.