Principal Mechanical Engineer

Marketing Statement

Ride BART to a satisfying career that lets you both: 1) make a difference to Bay Area residents, and 2) enjoy excellent pay, benefits, and employment stability. BART is looking for people who like to be challenged, work in a fast-paced environment, and have a passion for connecting riders to work, school and other places they need to go. BART offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, paid time off, and the CalPERS retirement program.

Pay Rate
Pay Grade E08 (Non-Rep)
$147,332.00 (minimum) - $223,208.00 (maximum)
Note: The starting negotiable salary offer for this position will be $147,332.00 - $188,256.52 to commensurate with education and experience.

Reports To
Manager of Mechanical Division

Current Assignment
The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) is seeking a forward-thinking Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead critical infrastructure initiatives that directly impact the reliability, safety, and modernization of one of the nation's most complex transit systems. The Principal Engineer is a supervisory level of Engineering responsible for technical and project leadership. Registration as a professional mechanical engineer is required.

The scope of the Mechanical Engineering Division includes planning, design, procurement, and engineering support during construction, commissioning, operations, and maintenance of assets such as:

1. Facilities (HVAC, plumbing, pumps).
2. Fire protection includes wet standpipe, fire water sprinklers, under car deluge, and chemical fire suppression.
3. Tunnel ventilation.
4. Shop equipment includes cranes, hydraulic lifts, hydraulic presses, and lathes.
5. Train washers.
6. Water treatment plants.
7. Vertical circulation equipment (escalators, hydraulic and traction elevators, wheelchair lifts).

Principal Engineers in the Mechanical Division serve as technical leaders on complex projects, with combined field and office experience. They oversee contractors and consultants, and supervise, review, and approve mechanical designs, drawings, and specifications while coordinating closely across departments.

They evaluate and implement design and field changes during construction, provide expert guidance to management, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to support informed decisions.

Additionally, they mentor junior engineers, conduct performance evaluations, support professional development, and lead project budgeting and scheduling. They may also prepare Executive Decision Documents and present at Board meetings.

The most qualified candidates for this position will have highly developed competencies in the following area, which will be reinforced with related work experience and will be clearly articulated during the selection process:

1. Strong Mechanical Engineering skills and experience.
2. Excellent problem-solving ability.
3. Excellent communication skills, including the ability to make clear presentations, produce concise technical reports, and explain complex/technical issues to BART management and leaders.
4. Ability to work with multidisciplinary teams.
5. Ability to manage work that includes any or all of the following: project scoping, planning, budgeting, requirements analysis, conceptual engineering, detailed design, implementation planning, installation coordination, performance measurement, and analysis.
6. Applying critical path method scheduling.
7. Applying of the different approaches to mechanical equipment maintenance.
8. Willingness to be on call 24 hours a day, 7 days at a time (in rotation with others), to work occasionally during overnight and weekend maintenance windows, and to work occasionally in noisy and dirty environments or in foul weather and near moving trains.
9. An understanding of electrical, mechanical, physical, and mathematical principles applicable to BART train control, traction power, ventilation, HVAC, and other miscellaneous support systems and a keen interest in keeping up to date with emerging technology, developments, and trends in these areas.

Applicants may attach a resume to provide supplemental information; however, the resume does not substitute for completing the application form in its entirety. Only information included in the application at the time of submission will be used to determine whether applicants meet the minimum qualifications for the position. All application materials must be submitted by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement. Applications received after the closing deadline will not be considered.

Applicants who require assistance with the online application process may contact the Talent Acquisition Division at (510) 464-6112 or employment@bart.gov.

The selection process for this position may include one or more of the following: a skills or performance demonstration, written examination, and/or panel or individual interview.

All applications will be reviewed by the Talent Acquisition Division to determine whether applicants meet the established Minimum Qualifications (MQs). Applicants who meet the MQs may be referred to the hiring department for further evaluation as part of the selection process.

The selected candidate must demonstrate a work history reflecting reliability and dependability and may be required to provide copies of certificates, diplomas, or other documentation required by law, including proof of authorization to work in the United States.

Pre-employment processing will include a background check. This requirement does not apply to current full-time District employees unless the position requires additional evaluations or clearances.

1. Assumes responsibility for planning, budgeting, overseeing, and implementing the most complex and/or large scale mechanical engineering projects in the development and maintenance of District mechanical systems and equipment; may serve as the Resident Engineer on assigned mechanical engineering projects.
   
   
2. Plans, prioritizes, assigns, supervises, reviews and participates in the work of staff responsible for the design and construction of mechanical systems and equipment including air conditioning, ventilation, fire protection, plumbing, escalators, elevators, automatic fare collection, and related systems and equipment.
   
   
3. Establishes schedules and methods for providing mechanical engineering project services; ensures adherence to specifications; identifies resource needs; monitors the progress of large scale mechanical design projects; reviews needs with appropriate management staff; allocates resources accordingly.
   
   
4. Administers consultant contracts; reviews work to ensure compliance with specifications; recommends change orders; maintains records and processes expenditures.
   
   
5. Provides project management oversight to ensure compliance with project schedule and budget; oversees the work of outside contractors and contracted engineering staff.
   
   
6. Participates in the development of policies and procedures; monitors work activities to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures; makes recommendations for changes and improvements to existing standards and procedures.
   
   
7. Recommends and assists in the implementation of goals and objectives; implements approved policies and procedures.
   
   
8. Oversees, reviews, and approves the preparation of engineering designs, drawings, and specifications; coordinates work with other divisions and department; signs and stamps design drawings; monitors the activities of engineering design staff.
   
   
9. Coordinates work with other divisions, departments and outside agencies; administers control of required documentation for contracts; identifies technical engineering issues and ensures compliance with District and industry engineering standards.
   
   
10. Participates in the review of consultant proposals and designs and recommends awards; conducts or participates in the pre-bid conferences prior to construction contract awards.
    
    
11. Initiates and evaluates design and field engineering changes during construction; recommends approval of and submits contractor's progress payments; recommends retention levels as appropriate; participates in intermediate and final inspections.
    
    
12. Prepares or reviews a variety of reports and correspondence on assigned mechanical engineering projects including Inspector's Daily Reports, monthly and final completion reports, contract negotiations and modifications; and field and design engineering changes.
    
    
13. Participates in the selection of District or contracted engineering staff; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline procedures.
    
    
14. Participates in the preparation and administration of the mechanical engineering construction program budget; submits budget recommendations; monitors expenditures.
    
    
15. Prepares analytical and statistical reports on assigned mechanical engineering operations and activities.
    
    
16. Represents the District in public meetings and hearings on proposed projects.
    
    
17. Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of mechanical engineering.
    
    
18. May conduct intermediate and final inspections on assigned projects.

Education:
A Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.

Experience:
Four (4) years of (full-time equivalent) verifiable professional mechanical engineering project design and construction experience, which must have included at least one (1) year of administrative or supervisory experience.

Other Requirements;
Registration as a professional engineer in the State of California.
Must be physically able to conduct field inspections and testing as assigned.

Substitution:
Additional professional experience as outlined above may be substituted for the education on a year-for-year basis. A Bachelor's degree is preferred.

Knowledge of:

• Operations, services and activities of a comprehensive mechanical engineering program.
• Principles and practices of mechanical engineering design and construction.
• Principles and practices of project scheduling and management.
• Methods and techniques of field measuring and testing equipment.
• Methods and techniques of conducting construction site inspection and investigation.
• Principles and practices of contract administration and management.
• Principles and practices of cost engineering estimating.
• Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.
• Current office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers.
• Specialized computer programs or systems utilized in mechanical engineering
• design and construction including CADD.
• Related building codes, regulations and provisions.
• Related Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations.

• Selecting, supervising, training and evaluating staff.
• Analyzing complex engineering problems, evaluating alternatives and recommending solutions.
• Interpreting and explaining District policies and procedures.
• Directing and coordinating mechanical engineering projects.
• Negotiating consultant design and engineering project contracts.
• Managing and administering consultant engineering contracts.
• Interpreting and preparing revisions to engineering plans, drawings, and specifications.
• Conducting and overseeing field inspections, investigations, measurements, and testing.
• Preparing clear and concise reports.
• Communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those
• contacted in the course of work including District officials and the general
• public.

Equal Employment OpportunityGroupBox1

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 and above), religion, national origin (including language use restrictions), disability (mental and physical, including HIV and AIDS), ancestry, marital status, military status, veteran status, medical condition (cancer/genetic characteristics and information), or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.

The BART Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities or for religious reasons. Please advise the Human Resources Department of any special needs in advance of the examination by emailing at least 5 days before your examination date at employment@bart.gov.

Qualified veterans may be eligible to obtain additional veteran's credit in the selection process for this recruitment (effective Jan. 1, 2013). To obtain the credit, veterans must attach to the application a DD214 discharge document or proof of disability and complete/submit the Veteran's Preference Application no later than the closing date of the posting. For more information about this credit please go to the Veteran's Preference Policy and Application link at www.bart.gov/jobs.