AD Safety Engineering
Job ID: 16288
Business Unit: Metro-North Railroad
Location: Various, United States
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Department: Safety Department
Date Posted: Jun 25, 2026
Description
Job Title: Assistant Director - Safety Engineering
Department: Office of System Safety
MTA Agency: Metro-North Railroad
Primary Location(s): Various
Salary Range: $ 105,082- $131,352
Regulated/Safety Sensitive: Non-DOT Regulated/Safety Sensitive
Union Affiliation: Non-agreement
Closing Date (if applicable): Until Filled
Shift (if applicable):
Title 55-a (yes or no): Not Applicable
Other: Telework eligible
ABOUT THE AGENCY
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 a safe and reliable commute, excellent customer service, and rewarding opportunities for its employees.
Metro-North Railroad reserves the right to remove this posting before the Application Deadline.
JOB SUMMARY
This position supports Metro-North Railroad and the Office of System Safety by applying system-safety and systems-engineering principles to ensure safe, effective, and efficient railroad operations. The role involves conducting engineering analyses of operational conditions, procedures, and system designs; developing technical guidelines, protocols, and recommendations; and representing MNR OSS in collaboration with operating departments, contractors, and other stakeholders. Key areas of focus include risk-based hazard management, system certification, configuration management, defect and failure-tracking processes, and product safety evaluations. The position also contributes to the development, implementation, and ongoing maintenance of the Metro-North System Safety Program Plan and Fatigue Risk Management Program Plan, ensuring alignment with engineering standards, system-safety requirements, and regulatory expectations.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Assist in the development, implementation, and lifecycle management of the MNR System Safety Program Plan (SSPP) and Fatigue Risk Management Program (FRMP). Apply systems-engineering and system-safety methodologies to identify, assess, and mitigate hazards and operational risks.
Coordinate cross-functionally with MNR departments, MTA HQ, tenant railroads, and other stakeholders to ensure program integration and compliance.
Oversee major engineering activities, including risk-based hazard analysis, safety certification processes, configuration and change management, and the evaluation and deployment of new technologies.
Provide technical leadership and oversight for major engineering programs and projects, including cross-functional working groups conducting risk-based hazard analyses and system-safety assessments.
Represent MNR OSS on interdepartmental and interagency engineering teams, such as those supporting rolling stock procurements. Responsibilities include coordinating engineering activities across MNR operations, collaborating with MTA HQ and external partners, and managing interfaces with vendors to ensure technical requirements, system integration, and safety objectives are met.
Support system-safety engineering analyses and related technical initiatives as assigned. Assist in identifying engineering hazards associated with system testing, verification activities, and safety certification processes.
Contribute to the review of contracts, technical specifications, and proposed designs by applying engineering analysis methods such as fault tree analysis (FTA), failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA), and other structured system-safety techniques, ensuring alignment with applicable laws, regulations, and engineering standards.
Assist in performing engineering safety-risk assessments, regulatory compliance evaluations, and ergonomic analyses for equipment and operational processes.
Support the identification, quantification, and documentation of engineering risks and associated mitigations, ensuring they are tracked, validated, and clearly communicated.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to support the technical review and approval of new and modified equipment, ensuring alignment with system-safety principles, engineering standards, and regulatory requirements.
Performs other duties as assigned
Comply with all policies and standards
May be required to work hours outside regular work hours, as applicable
Observes the work performed by contractors, as applicable
Reviews invoices and approve them if the work has contractual standards, as applicable
Addresses performance issues with the contractor, when possible, as applicable
Escalates issues to other parties when needed, as applicable
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Demonstrated ability to interpret, apply and implement relevant engineering theories, principles, and practices in support of technical programs and system-wide initiatives.
Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills with the ability to communicate technical information clearly to engineering, operational and leadership audiences.
Strong analytical skills and engineering problem-solving skills, with the ability to evaluate complex technical issues and develop sound, data-driven solutions.
Ability to maintain and protect confidentiality while maintaining a high degree of discretion.
Strong project management skills with the ability to handle multiple projects and assignments simultaneously and adhere to deadlines even as priorities change.
Ability to develop technical audit reports and ensure engineering and safety data is accurately captured, analyzed and reported. Assist in responding to requests for data, reports, etc. from senior staff, regulatory authorities (FRA, PTSB, PESH), etc. Ensure safety data capture, retrieval, and analysis.
Strong leadership skills with the ability to make decisions in a fast-paced and demanding environment
Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access or equivalent.
Ability to adjust work schedule to accommodate special projects as necessary, including periodic night shifts and weekend coverage.
Ability to respond to emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and to be on call on a rotational basis. Ability to travel to various locations during work hours.
Must have a valid Driver's License.
The following is/are preferred:
Knowledge of GIS and/or experience with ESRI ArcGIS Pro, Online, Enterprise, and/or equivalent.
Current professional industry-recognized certification(s) such as ASP, EIT (FE), and/or WSO/TSSP
Engineering System Safety experience, preferably in a mass transit, commuter railroad, or similar environment.
Experience using engineering and system safety software such as PTC Windchill, Isograph, or equivalent
Knowledge of relational databases and familiarity with SQL, Oracle, and/or equivalent, supporting engineering data analysis and system evaluation.
Familiarity with relevant regulations, requirements, and standards (e.g. 49 CFR Part 270, MIL-STD-882)
Experience with Microsoft Access, Visio, and Project and/or equivalent.
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelor's Degree in Arts/Sciences (BA/BS) in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering or other relevant engineering discipline. Demonstrated equivalent education, experience or technical credentials to include four (4) additional years may be considered in lieu of degree.
Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in an engineering, technical, construction, or other relevant operating environment. Minimum 3 years of experience managing a process or a project.
Minimum 3 years of experience managing a process or a project.
The following is/are preferred:
Master's degree in Arts/Sciences (MA/MS) in related discipline
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required:
Valid Driver's License
Ability to complete qualification in MNR Roadway Worker Protection (or current qualification) within 1 year of employment and maintaining the annual requalification thereafter
Preferred:
Ability to complete qualification in MNR Operating Rules and Blue Signal Protection (or current qualification) within 1 year of employment and maintaining the annual requalification thereafter
OTHER INFORMATION
Pursuant 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").
Final salary is determined experience, skillset, and alignment with compensation practices. The posted range reflects expected compensation and may be updated as market or business needs evolve.
Employees driving company vehicles will be subject to License Monitoring and must complete defensive driver training once every three years for current MTA drivers; or within 180 days of hire or transfer for an employee entering an authorized driving position.
To be eligible for consideration for a new role, current MTA employees must complete at least one year of service in their current role prior to applying. Additionally, eligibility to interview is contingent upon maintaining a satisfactory record of job performance, attendance, and disciplinary conduct.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY/ADA DISCLAIMER
MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers and encourage qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.
If you seek a reasonable accommodation for a medical condition or disability, or for a religious practice or observance, to participate in the job application or interview process, please notify your MTA representative once you have been contacted regarding the role.
HOW TO APPLY:
For Internal Applicants: Log in to the My MTA Portal, click on the My Job Search tile, select the Careers link, search for the desired position, click Apply, and follow the on-screen instructions.
For External Applicants: Visit www.mta.info (https://nymta.sharepoint.com/sites/MNR--TA/Shared%20Documents/General/Jetdocs/www.mta.info) , click the "Careers" link located in the footer under the "The MTA" section, then click on "See All Open MTA Positions". Search for the desired position, click Apply, and follow the instructions.
