Project Engineer - Traction Power and Medium Voltage

Job Description

AECOM is seeking a Project Engineer, Traction Power and Medium Voltage, for one of our offices in Sacramento, Fresno, or Bakersfield, CA. This is an on-site role.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Project Engineer, Traction Power and Medium Voltage, provides engineering leadership for traction power, medium voltage distribution, and auxiliary power systems on a major transportation infrastructure project. The position covers 25kV AC traction power systems, traction power substations, switching and paralleling stations, utility interconnections, SCADA, protective relays, transformers, high and medium voltage switchgear, grounding and bonding, traction return, auxiliary power, wayside distribution, emergency and standby power, UPS systems, and electrical metering and monitoring. Responsibilities include reviewing electrical studies, protection schemes, equipment specifications, construction packages, contractor submittals, calculations, and test procedures while coordinating interfaces with OCS, signaling, communications, SCADA, stations, maintenance facilities, civil works, track, operations, and maintenance. The position supports installation, testing, commissioning, and energization activities, with travel of approximately 25–50% along the project alignment throughout the Central Valley, California.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead engineering coordination and technical oversight for traction power, medium voltage, and auxiliary power systems throughout design, procurement, construction, testing and commissioning, energization, and operational handover
• Coordinate engineering interfaces between traction power, OCS, signaling, communications, SCADA, stations, maintenance facilities, civil works, track, operations, and maintenance teams
• Lead technical review of traction power studies, protection schemes, load flow analyses, short circuit studies, grounding studies, equipment specifications, construction packages, and design deliverables
• Review contractor submittals, shop drawings, calculation packages, test procedures, and engineering documentation
• Provide engineering support for 25kV AC traction power systems, traction power substations, switching and paralleling stations, utility interconnection facilities, and traction power SCADA systems
• Provide engineering support for protective relay systems, power transformers, high and medium voltage switchgear, grounding and bonding systems, traction return systems, and power monitoring systems
• Provide engineering support for medium voltage distribution networks, station and maintenance facility power, wayside power distribution, ring main units, distribution transformers, motor control centers, emergency and standby power, UPS systems, low voltage distribution, and electrical metering
• Review engineering deliverables associated with substations, cable routes, duct banks, equipment shelters, and corridor-wide distribution infrastructure
• Coordinate electrical power interfaces supporting signaling, communications, train control, station, maintenance facility, security, and operational control center systems
• Support utility coordination for transmission, sub-transmission, and distribution service connections, including service applications, interconnection agreements, load studies, protection coordination reviews, and energization authorizations
• Provide technical support for statutory, regulatory, and Authority Having Jurisdiction approvals, and support preparation of responses to regulator comments, permit conditions, and inspection findings
• Monitor construction of substations, utility interconnections, medium voltage distribution systems, and wayside electrical infrastructure, and conduct field inspections to verify compliance with approved designs and standards
• Support resolution of field issues, design changes, RFIs, utility conflicts, site access constraints, and construction sequencing challenges
• Provide technical leadership for electrical safety, outage planning, energization readiness, commissioning readiness, and operational handover programs
• Support Factory Acceptance Testing, Site Acceptance Testing, System Integration Testing, protective relay testing, transformer testing, switchgear testing, SCADA verification, and trial running
• Support defect resolution, corrective actions, punch-list closure, final system acceptance, revenue service demonstration, and operational readiness

Qualifications

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• BA/BS + 6 years of relevant experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related engineering discipline
• Demonstrated experience supporting traction power and electrical systems from design through construction, testing, commissioning, energization, and final acceptance
• Strong experience reviewing engineering calculations, technical studies, specifications, and construction documentation
• Strong working knowledge of traction power systems, medium voltage distribution systems, substations, protective relays, utility interfaces, and railway electrical infrastructure
• Experience coordinating contractors, utilities, suppliers, and multidisciplinary engineering teams
• Experience reviewing protection schemes, load flow analyses, short circuit studies, and grounding studies
• Experience supporting utility coordination, interconnection, and energization authorization activities
• Experience supporting Factory Acceptance Testing, Site Acceptance Testing, and electrical commissioning programs
• Strong technical writing, coordination, and stakeholder engagement skills
• 10+ years of engineering experience on major transportation, utility, energy, or infrastructure programs
• 10+ years of experience delivering traction power, electrical infrastructure, utility, medium voltage, or rail systems projects
• Professional Engineer (PE) licensure; additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of licensure
• Experience on high-speed rail projects operating above 125 mph (200 km/h)
• Experience with California High-Speed Rail, HS2, European high-speed rail programs, or comparable large-scale rail programs
• Experience delivering 25kV AC traction power systems
• Experience supporting traction power substations, auxiliary power substations, switching stations, and utility interconnections
• Experience with electrical SCADA systems, power monitoring systems, and integrated railway power management systems
• Experience supporting substation construction, wayside equipment installation, energization planning, and commissioning programs
• Experience supporting integrated testing, revenue service demonstration, and entry into revenue service activities

Additional Information

• Sponsorship is provided for this role.
• Relocation is provided for this role.

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM 

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan. 

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com. 

What makes AECOM a great place to work 

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community—where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity. 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. 

Compensation: 120000 to 200000 (USD) (YEARLY)