Field Systems Implementation Manager

Who is NTE, NTE 35W, and LBJ?

The North Tarrant Express (NTE) was the first design-build-finance-operate-maintain managed lanes project in Texas and consisted of the complete reconstruction of 13.3 miles of the existing I-820/SH-183 corridor between Dallas and Fort Worth. Since opening in October 2014, nine months ahead of the contracted completion date, the general highway lanes are experiencing a 70% decrease in congestion time and a 15% increase in average speed. This Cintra-led project has doubled capacity and significantly improved mobility along this heavily congested corridor that traverses the heart of six cities through Northeast Tarrant County.

The North Tarrant Express 35W (NTE 35W) project spans 16.8 miles from I-30 in downtown Fort Worth to Eagle Parkway at the north end of Alliance Airport. The project is operated and maintained by the Cintra-led consortium in North Texas. This project has improved mobility by adding additional road capacity through a combination of general highway lanes and continuous frontage roads, along with tolled express lanes that use variable pricing to keep traffic moving.

The LBJ Express (LBJ) is currently the largest P3 operation in Texas and one of the largest ever undertaken in the U.S. It is a regionally-significant transportation improvement project in North Texas that is relieving severe congestion in the dense urban area of north Dallas. In 2009, the Cintra-led consortium was selected to complete the design, construction, finance, operation, and maintenance of the project along I-635 and I-35E. Since opening in September 2015, the general highway lanes are realizing a 60% decrease in congestion time and a 10% increase in average speed.

What makes us different?

Our people come first. We want every single employee to develop both professionally and personally. With a strong focus on growth potential, we look to our internal employees as potential candidates for both national and international opportunities. We aim to achieve greatness by promoting from within every chance we get. We work hard and play hard and strive every day for success and achievement. With a diverse group of professionals working in a fast-paced environment, we achieve milestones constantly. And if that weren’t enough, we also offer our employees highly competitive insurance benefits, Paid Time Off, and a matching 401(k) program.

Job Description:

Summary:  The Field Systems Implementation Manager is responsible for managing the deployment and integration of roadway technology systems from design through operation and maintenance in accordance with all requirements outlined in the Comprehensive Development Agreement (CDA) and the Project Management Plan (PMP). The scope of the field systems for this role includes the Toll Collection System (TCS), Intelligent Transportation System (ITS), and Network Communications System (NCS, collectively called “Field Systems”). These Systems are required to operate smoothly to ensure highly reliable and accurate reporting of revenue, traffic, and leakage while providing drivers with a consistent and reliable experience and ensuring alignment with the Comprehensive Development Agreement (CDA) and Project Management Plan (PMP).. The Field Systems Implementation Manager will manage and supervise an internal team as well as contractors to meet these requirements in a fast-paced environment while ensuring the project and any subsequent changes are implemented on schedule, within budget, and with an optimal design.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for Field Systems design planning and implementation in coordination with roadway, back office and other teams, to ensure correct and on-time integration of field systems in alignment with LBJ/NTE/35W strategic objectives

• Responsible to Oversee integration of gantry systems with back-office tolling platforms and ensure seamless data flow from roadside to central systems

• Responsible for identifying, developing and documenting field systems key business processes and procedures during system development of ITS projects

• Responsible for identifying, tracking, and escalating risks and opportunities related to any and all field systems on the projects.

• Innovate and recommend technical solutions with Senior Toll Systems Manager in alignment with the Companies’ strategic plan for systems upgrades.

• Manage all system enhancements and modifications as necessary during operations and maintenance phase.

• Review existing technical and legal project framework and participate as an active stakeholder in the development and approval of Concepts of Operations (ConOps) for any new field systems.

• Planning:  For each approved implementation project, prepare and schedule all activities with special attention to budget and critical paths and report on progress against milestones, whether with internal or external resources.

• For outsourced activities, collect and gather quotes from current and potential sub-contractors and vendors to provide services outside of the scope of those provided by the field technicians

• Conduct procurement in alignment with LBJ/NTE/35 policies, from scope definition, RFP award, contracting (in coordination with legal team), reviewing work plans and implementation with different contractors for the design, and deployment of Roadside Systems (both Toll Collection and Intelligent Transportation Systems) for the NTE, LBJ and NTE 35W projects on time and on budget.

• Review, evaluate and approve all documentation (including requirements, functional designs, use cases and test plans, etc.) to ensure compliance to all requirements and identify operational shortcomings and contractual non-compliance items.

• Review, evaluate and approve all test cases and test results to ensure compliance with all operational, technical, performance and CDA requirements; participating in Factory Testing, Integration Testing, User Acceptance Testing, Performance Testing and any other defined testing.

• Coordinate all needed Change Requests (CRs) with contractors and follow the process from their approval to its execution/ implementation

• Whether with internal resources or third party vendors, ensure that all implementations are conducted safely and in accordance with all applicable regulations and internal safety procedures. Monitor works and contractors as required to ensure safe operations and stop any unsafe activities.

• Review, provide feedback and coordinate with all the roadside design and implementation teams, in order to make sure that all software and hardware affected by roadside modifications support the operations and CDA and internal procedures.

• Coordinate resolution of impacts to existing field systems infrastructure as a result of ongoing construction.

• Evaluate and coordinate insurance claims arising from third party damages to field system infrastructure.

• Achieve, during the implementation phase, proper coordination with the civil works and other ITS contractors, in order to solve all possible issues in a fast and efficient manner.

• O&M phase: Coordinate with all contractors for a proper design and execution to ensure continuous operations (against possible disruptions) for the Company.

• Collaborate with TxDOT, contractors, and engineering teams to evaluate potential risks to ITS infrastructure from nearby construction activities.

• Coordinate and collaborate with the companies’ COO, CIO, Senior Field Systems Manager, Traffic Management Center and the ITS Operations Maintenance Managers to integrate the back-end tolling systems with roadside components, ensuring their logical, functional and technical alignment

• Participate in field-systems-related meetings as needed with TxDOT, contractors and other developers.

• Prepare annual budgets and mid-year budget reviews with the Senior Field Systems Manager for submission and approval by Management.

• Performs other job-related duties as assigned

Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills & Abilities):

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required to fulfill those duties. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in IT, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or a related field

• 7 – 10+ years of relevant prior experience

• Experience with hands-on implementation of Intelligent Transport Systems, telecommunications or other technological systems highly preferred

• Project management experience with coordination of teams or field crews in a technology environment

Professional Qualities:

• Effectively oversee, manage and delegate a team of approx. 1-5 field technicians/ ITS specialists

• Effectively manage tasks, deadlines and individuals through vendor contracts

• Ability to interact with colleagues in a self-managed team structure

• Must be able to multitask, problem solve, and implement innovative processes within a fast-paced environment

• Ability to manage inventory and RMA tracking for field equipment

• Experience with system architecture, performance analysis, and reporting.

Computer Skills:

• Strong knowledge of IT network communications and systems

• Must be able to demonstrate computer proficiency, especially as to Microsoft Excel, Word and Power Point and other PC based programs

Work Environment & Physical Demands:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The noise level in the work environment may be moderate to high at times given that the employee may be working around heavy machinery

• Roadway travel and roadway site visits required, including some night works.

• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include ability to adjust focus, as necessary to use a computer

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear

• The employee is frequently required to stand, walk and sit for long periods of time