Rail Systems Administrator (IT)

Job Description

Saylor Consulting Group (SCG) has an opportunity for a Rail Systems Administrator to work with our client, Caltrain. The candidate will be responsible for the administration, maintenance, testing, and troubleshooting of Caltrain’s high availability mission-critical rail operating network and control systems. The position requires the candidate to be available full-time with at least 50% of the time onsite in-person. For the right candidate, it may be possible to work only one week on-site per month with travel to the Bay Area on a regular basis. 

Daily Duties

• Provide all services necessary to serve as a Rail Systems Administrator reporting to the Rail Network Manager within the Systems Engineering organization.
• Install, configure, administer, and maintain rail operating systems, including but not limited to the following: PTC Back Office Server (BOS); Rail Operations Control System (ROCS); Predictive Arrival / Departure System (PADS); Traction Power Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Radio Dispatch System (RDS), Digital Communications platform w/ VoIP, Network Management System (NMS) Active Directory.
• VMWare administration and management of all virtual hosts including endpoint protection, software patching, troubleshooting (includes hardware in the field), maintaining compliance with current cybersecurity threats. Performance monitoring and optimization of virtual environments.
• Responsible for configuration and administration of all mission-critical back-office systems supporting Caltrain Rail operations. This includes user account maintenance and endpoint protection.
• Integrate servers, databases, and backup servers and their associated applications into the operating environment.
• Administration of Operating System (OS) licenses, endpoint protection, virtual environments, etc. for Rail Operations.
• Responsible for rail systems disaster recovery planning and procedures.
• Apply asset management principles and develop standards for each lifecycle phase for assigned systems and assets.
• Responsible for the administration of operational rail systems located on prem, cloud, lab, and in training environments.
• Ensure the delivery of the assigned tasks are on time, on budget, and compliant with Caltrain standards.
• Develop test procedures and engineering work packages.
• Develop and maintain Policies, Procedures, and Work Instructions for Back Office Systems.
• Conduct routine audits of rail systems, software, and databases, perform system backups, and proactively test system and infrastructure performance.
• Research, recommend, and execute modifications and enhancements to rail systems to improve efficiency, reliability, and performance.
• Test and verify rail system security.
• Work with team members, decision-makers, and stakeholders to define business requirements and system goals and to identify and resolve system issues.
• Install and configure new hardware and software, apply operating system updates and configuration changes. Evaluate and test new technology products.
• Provide various routine and ad-hoc reports.
• Setup and configure training environments.
• Investigate root cause of issues, provide solutions, and update standards as needed.
• Configure roles, projects, and workflow in JIRA.
• Review equipment condition and reliability and recommend systems or subsystems for replacement or rehabilitation under the Capital Improvement Program.
• Perform engineering and design work to assist with maintaining engineering documentation for the Configuration Control Management process. Ensure configuration control for technical documentation, maintenance manuals, and drawings.
• Manage the configuration, updates, changes, interface management, and integration of systems and assets.
• Support Caltrain on addressing issues with the JPB Operations, Operators’ contracted Help Desk, and TASI Tier 1 support.
• O&M support may require emergency support including weekends and evenings and are considered in-scope as seconded staff.
• Possess strong interpersonal skills to coordinate with other direct Caltrain staff, seconded staff, and vendors across the entire System to ensure positive growth, success, and safety.
• Perform all job duties and responsibilities in a safe manner to protect oneself, fellow employees, and the public from injury or harm. Promote safety awareness and follow safety procedures in an effort to reduce or eliminate accidents.
• Additional tasks may be assigned by the Rail Network Manager and Systems Engineering management. Additional tasks are considered in-scope for full time seconded staff and not considered amendments to the WD agreement.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Electrical/Electronic Engineering, or similar, or demonstrate substantial equivalent prior experience in system administration with a preference in rail systems experience.
• 4 years professional experience, with demonstrated experience in systems administration of information or operational technology systems in high availability mission-critical environments. This experience includes software, network protocols, virtualized systems and integration of COTS (commercial off the shelf) hardware and software.
• Experience in managing VMWare environments, databases, and related technologies is highly desired. Certifications in Windows and Red Hat administration is also preferred.
• Experience in Network and Systems Engineering practices, requirements capture and management, system architecture, system verification, system installation and maintenance, change control, configuration management, interpersonal skills, oral and written communication, procedures, etc.
• Experience and familiarity with Caltrain processes, standards, and practices is preferred.
• Experience and familiarity with managing and coordinating success standards and best practices.
• Have knowledge and understanding of the procedures, requirements, and regulations of the JPB, Caltrans, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Federal Rail Administration (FRA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), State, local and other applicable regulatory Agencies.

Featured Benefits

401(k), Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, 100% employer-paid premiums

Additional Information

Saylor Consulting Group (SCG) is a great place to work where your opinion matters, where you can grow with a supportive staff and make a difference in our project outcomes. We are proud to be an advisor on some of the largest, most technically complex projects in the nation.

We seek like-minded professionals who have a passion for estimating, drive to achieve results, creative problem-solving ability, and a dedication to client service and relationship management. We want our people to succeed both in work and life. To support this we promote a healthy, productive and flexible working environment that respects work-life balance. Come join us and partner with our world-class team and do your best work.

Saylor is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and actively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.