Signals Discipline Lead

Job Description

Position Summary:

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Signals Discipline Lead with experience in rail and transit signal systems. The successful candidate will support the design, development, and implementation of signal engineering solutions for rail and transit infrastructure projects. The role includes preparing design drawings, technical specifications, and performing field investigations under the guidance of senior engineering staff or project managers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the planning, design, and delivery of rail and transit signal systems through conceptual, preliminary, final design, and construction support phases for light rail, commuter rail, heavy rail, and freight rail projects.
• Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and engineering oversight to mid-level and junior engineers, designers, and CAD staff, including performing QA/QC reviews and supporting staff development.
• Develop signal design packages including signal layouts, interlocking plans, control line diagrams, route and aspect charts, cable routing plans, signal house layouts, equipment location plans, and associated construction documents.
• Design and analyze wayside signal systems, interlockings, switch machine systems, train detection systems, vital and non-vital logic, and highway-rail grade crossing warning systems in accordance with industry standards and client requirements.
• Prepare engineering calculations, technical specifications, bills of materials, cost estimates, design reports, and other technical documentation required to support project delivery.
• Coordinate signal system interfaces with traction power, communications, SCADA, OCS, train control, track, civil, roadway, station, and utility systems to ensure successful multidisciplinary integration.
• Support the design, integration, testing, and commissioning of conventional signaling, Positive Train Control (PTC), Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC), Automatic Train Protection (ATP), and Automatic Train Control (ATC) systems.
• Support project planning and execution activities, including scope development, resource forecasting, schedule management, technical risk assessment, proposal preparation, fee development, and business development efforts.
• Conduct field investigations, site inspections, diagnostic reviews, testing, commissioning, cutovers, and construction support activities, including responding to RFIs, reviewing submittals, and supporting revenue service implementation.
• Interface with clients, railroads, contractors, regulatory agencies, and project stakeholders while ensuring compliance with FRA, FTA, AREMA, MUTCD, railroad owner standards, and applicable safety, quality, and environmental requirements.
• Lead factory acceptance testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT), commissioning, cutover planning, and revenue service implementation activities for signal, train control, and grade crossing systems.
• Develop signal design criteria, standards, specifications, engineer’s cost estimates, and evaluate alternative technical solutions and value engineering opportunities to improve safety, reliability, constructability, and lifecycle costs.
• Support and coordinate highway-rail grade crossings, traffic signal preemption and transit signal priority (TSP) systems, while interfacing with FRA, railroads, transit agencies, roadway authorities, utility owners, and other project stakeholders throughout project development and implementation.
• Assist in leading the growth and development of the Signals practice, including recruiting, staff development, succession planning, resource management, and technical capability enhancement.
• Serve as the technical point of contact for signal engineering projects and support multidisciplinary coordination across traction power, communications, systems integration, and other rail disciplines.
• Support proposal development, technical presentations, client engagement, and strategic business development efforts to expand the Signals practice and strengthen client relationships.
• Develop and maintain signal engineering standards, specifications, design criteria, lessons learned, and best practices to promote consistency and technical excellence across projects.
• Provide technical leadership for major corridor modernization, expansion, and state-of-good-repair programs while ensuring quality, constructability, maintainability, and lifecycle performance.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field plus 8 years of relevant experience in rail signal design, testing, or construction or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education.
• Professional Engineer (PE) licensure or ability and willingness to obtain within two years of hire. 
• Experience with AREMA guidelines, FRA regulations, and signal design practices.
• Experience with CAD software (e.g., AutoCAD, MicroStation)
• Experience with reading and programming logic and vital logic equations.
• Experience working with microprocessor-based vital logic controllers such as ElectroLogIXS and Microlock II.
• Experience with the working principles of DC and AC track circuits.
• Experience with CAB signaling design and coded track circuits, audio frequency track circuits, and phase shift overlay circuits.

Preferred Experience :

• 12 years of relevant experience in rail signal design, testing, or construction.
• Working knowledge of legacy and modern interlocking systems.
• Familiarity with signal vendors (e.g., Siemens, Alstom, Hitachi, Wabtec).
• Knowledge of relay or microprocessor-based interlocking systems.
• Field or construction support experience including signal cutover or testing.
• Professional Engineer(PE) License.
• Project Management Professional(PMP) License.
• Strong problem-solving, written communication, and documentation skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams.

Additional Information

• We are interested in every qualified candidate eligible to work in the United States.  Sponsorship may be available for current visa holders in the United States. 
• Relocation assistance may be available 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.