Field Engineer, Traction Power and Medium Voltage

About Burns:

Burns Engineering provides professional engineering design and project management services for transportation, facilities, and infrastructure projects. We help our clients attain their strategic goals and initiatives through successful large-scale infrastructure projects. Burns’ full-service capabilities include mechanical, electrical, civil, structural, transportation, and energy consulting engineering.

Recently voted a Top Workplace by Philly.com, we credit our strength as an organization to our talented, driven, vibrant team. Burns is an ENR Top 500 Firm, and has been named an MEP Giant by Consulting-Specifying Engineer Magazine, as well as a Hot Firm by Zweig. We are industry experts, proven leaders, innovative thinkers, and team players. We put our clients’ successes and best interests first, because their success is our success. We have fun at work because we love making a difference in the world. We are looking for high-energy, bright, collaborative individuals who want the opportunity to “write their own story” with us.

Burns is currently seeking a Field Engineer, Traction Power and Medium Voltage to join our Transit and Rail Team in Sacramento, CA.

Position Summary

The Field Engineer, Traction Power and Medium Voltage, serves as the Owner and PDS field representative for the installation, testing, energization, commissioning, and acceptance of traction power and electrical infrastructure on the California High-Speed Rail (CAHSR) Program. The position covers traction power substations, switching and paralleling stations, utility interconnection facilities, power transformers, high and medium voltage switchgear, protective relay systems, traction power SCADA, grounding and bonding, traction return systems, auxiliary power substations, medium voltage distribution networks, wayside power distribution, cable routes, duct banks, and equipment shelters.

In this role, the Field Engineer verifies that installed electrical work conforms to approved drawings, specifications, railway standards, and Program requirements; reviews field conditions and supports resolution of technical issues affecting installation, testing, and energization; and coordinates field interfaces between traction power, OCS, signaling, communications, SCADA, track, civil works, and utility contractors. The position supports and witnesses Factory Acceptance Testing, Site Acceptance Testing, protective relay testing, transformer testing, switchgear testing, cable testing, grounding and bonding verification, SCADA verification, energization readiness activities, and operational readiness programs.

Reporting to the Project Manager, Traction Power and Medium Voltage, the Field Engineer supplies the Program with independent field verification of electrical installation and test results, documented deficiency and corrective action records, and the on-site technical presence required to support energization authorization and entry into service. The position is based in Sacramento, California. Domestic and international travel of approximately 50 percent is expected.

Position Responsibilities

Provide field technical oversight of traction power, medium voltage, and auxiliary power installation activities across the corridor

Verify conformance of installed electrical work with approved drawings, specifications, railway standards, and Program requirements

Review field conditions and support resolution of technical issues affecting installation, testing, commissioning, and energization

Coordinate field interfaces between traction power, OCS, signaling, communications, SCADA, track, civil works, stations, and utility contractors

Provide field oversight for traction power substations, switching and paralleling stations, and utility interconnection facilities

Provide field oversight for power transformers, high and medium voltage switchgear, protective relay systems, and traction power SCADA

Provide field oversight for auxiliary power substations, medium voltage distribution networks, wayside power distribution, cable routes, duct banks, and equipment shelters

Verify grounding and bonding installation, traction return continuity, and electrical clearance requirements

Support and witness Factory Acceptance Testing and Site Acceptance Testing for electrical equipment and components

Support and witness protective relay testing, transformer testing, switchgear testing, cable testing, and SCADA verification

Participate in energization readiness reviews, outage planning activities, and operational readiness programs

Review test records, as-built documentation, and turnover packages supporting system acceptance

Verify compliance with Program requirements, electrical safety requirements, railway standards, and applicable regulations

Document deficiencies, track corrective actions, and drive closure in support of energization authorization and system acceptance

Support supplier coordination and attend supplier facilities for factory inspection and acceptance activities, including domestic and international travel of approximately 50 percent

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Railway Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related discipline, or demonstrable on-the-job work experience, and a minimum of ten (10) years of traction power, electrical infrastructure, utility, or medium voltage experience

Demonstrated experience supporting electrical systems through installation, testing, commissioning, energization, and acceptance

Strong working knowledge of traction power systems, medium voltage distribution, substations, protective relays, switchgear, and transformers

Working knowledge of grounding and bonding, traction return systems, and railway electrical safety requirements

Experience supporting field delivery activities on major transportation, utility, or energy infrastructure projects

Experience witnessing Factory Acceptance Testing, Site Acceptance Testing, protective relay testing, and electrical commissioning programs

Experience reviewing electrical test records, as-built documentation, and turnover packages supporting system acceptance

Demonstrated ability to document deficiencies and drive corrective action closure in a field environment

Strong communication, coordination, and stakeholder engagement skills

Availability for domestic and international travel of approximately 50 percent

Preferred Qualifications/ Certifications/ Licensures

Experience on high-speed rail projects operating above 125 mph (200 km/h)

Experience with 25kV AC traction power systems and traction power substations

Experience supporting substation construction, wayside equipment installation, and corridor-wide power distribution

Experience supporting utility interconnection, energization planning, and outage coordination

Experience with electrical SCADA systems and power monitoring systems

Familiarity with FRA requirements, NFPA 70E, IEEE, and railway electrical standards

Experience supporting integrated testing between traction power, OCS, signaling, and control center systems

Professional Engineer (PE) licensure or equivalent professional certification; additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of licensure

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