Assistant Deputy Director - Power Control Systems Software

This position is eligible for teleworking which is currently one day per week. New hires are eligible to apply 30 days after their effective date of hire.

Metro-North Railroad reserves the right to remove this posting before the Application Deadline.

Opening:

MTA Metro-North Railroad is a dynamic organization, operating out of the jewel of New York City, Grand Central Terminal.  We provide service to over 86.5 million customers, traveling in and out of New York and Connecticut.  A subsidiary of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Metro-North Railroad is one of the busiest commuter railroads in the nation.  MTA Metro-North Railroad strives to provide its employees with a safe and reliable commute, excellent customer service, and rewarding opportunities.

Position Objective:

Provide leadership in the engineering, application development, and management of all software applications for the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems for the online and backup office control centers. Responsible to assist the Asst Chief Engineer C&S-PTC in the implementation and upgrades of FRA-mandated CTC, PTC, and SCADA Systems. The position will directly manage the SCADA workgroup labor, material, equipment, third-party contracts, and designs. Manage the 24/7 maintenance for all of Metro-North Railroad’s mission-critical and safety-critical Power Control systems which are used to operate, control, and support all Railroad Operations. This includes the Power Control Center systems including Traction power control for the third rail and overhead catenary and Signal Power control. This position is required to support Positive Train Control development and supervise the implementation of software changes in the SCADA system necessary to support safety “lock out tag out” procedures for substation control as well as modifications necessary to develop new substations.

Responsibilities:

• Perform supervisory and administrative functions associated with the management and support of the Communication & Signal Department services such as the Electronic Documentation Systems and Maintenance Management and Information Control Systems.
• Provide leadership in the Engineering, Designing, and Implementation of software applications for the CTC, PTC, and SCADA systems. Manage other Software Engineers in the design and modification of interfaces for new, as well as existing software systems. Manage the integration of web-based applications for the CTC, PTC, and SCADA systems.  Ensure the integrity and safety of the software systems being used by MNR in the various software projects.
• Create and publish software Releases for the MNR Power Control RTUs and provide timely backup and restore capabilities, data archiving, and retrieval management for all mission-critical and safety-critical systems. Provide a lead in supporting the Metro-North Safety Program through the execution of required activities and policies associated with personnel working along or on the railroad right-of-way and other locations.
• Provide daily interactions with the Transportation, Communications, and Power departments and vendors in direct support of safety and the rail operation and business plan. Design, develop, test, implement, and document software applications to support various mission-critical requirements and provide version control audits, and manage design projects.
• Provide a lead in supporting Metro-North Control Systems’ Safety and managing 24/7 engineering, troubleshooting and maintenance, and oversight for periodic software systems security patches, firmware, Cybersecurity, and security hardening management for all Metro-North’s mission-critical and safety-critical real-time operations control systems.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong knowledge of operating systems (Windows, UNIX)
• Strong knowledge of software development and maintenance.
• Knowledge of 49 CFR Part 236, subparts H and I requirements.
• Knowledge of computer network and database management.
• Knowledge of virtual computer (VMWare) management.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Visio or Auto CAD or comparable programs.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and/or comparable applications
• Strong analytical skills in order to analyze new and existing products, equipment and/or procedures.
• Must be able to recommend improvements or replacements to better support the voice and communications systems
• Must be able to work in a high-profile/high-pressure environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact with internal departments and outside agencies.
• Must be able to implement and participate in Metro-North Railroad’s Priority One Safety Program
• 24-hour 7-day availability required.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field.  Demonstrated equivalent education, experience and/or technical credentials to include four (4) additional years of related experience may be considered in place of a degree.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of experience encompassing all aspects of software development, to include but limited to:

• Programming experience with C, C++, Delphi, .Net, client-server applications, SQL, Oracle, or similar.
• Experience in Power Remote Control or related Control systems.

• Minimum of five (5) years experience in the management and maintenance of computer systems.

The following is/are preferred, but other satisfactory combinations of relevant experience, education, and/or technical credentials will be considered:

• Strong knowledge of railroad, power, and remote-control systems and/or related systems.
• Familiarity with Metro-North Policies and Procedures.

Other Information

According to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the “Commission”).

Employees driving company vehicles must complete defensive driver training once every three years for current MNR drivers; or within 180 days of hire or transfer for an employee entering an authorized driving position.

Equal Employment Opportunity

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including those concerning veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.