Vehicles/Bus Engineering Specialist

STV is seeking a Vehicle Engineering Specialist III to join our growing Vehicles Division at one of our major West Coast offices. This position is ideal for an engineer with 8–10 years of experience supporting rail vehicle, transit vehicle, rolling stock, automotive, aerospace, or transportation systems projects.

The successful candidate will support vehicle procurement, design review, systems integration, testing, commissioning, fleet modernization, condition assessments, and technical advisory services for transit agencies and transportation clients throughout North America.

This role offers the opportunity to work directly with manufacturers, transit operators, project managers, and multidisciplinary engineering teams while serving as a key technical contributor on major vehicle programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead technical reviews of transit and rail vehicle systems including:

  • Propulsion systems

  • Braking systems

  • Train control and onboard electronics

  • Communications systems

  • HVAC systems

  • Door systems

  • Auxiliary power systems

  • Vehicle structures and carbody components

• Support vehicle procurement programs from specification development through final vehicle acceptance.

• Evaluate engineering designs, technical submittals, calculations, drawings, and manufacturer documentation.

• Participate in systems integration activities between rolling stock and vehicle-related infrastructure systems.

• Conduct factory inspections, production audits, testing, commissioning, and acceptance activities.

• Investigate vehicle performance issues and support troubleshooting and root-cause analysis efforts.

• Perform technical analyses and engineering assessments to support client decision-making.

• Prepare technical memoranda, engineering reports, presentations, specifications, and project deliverables.

• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams including signals, communications, traction power, track, facilities, and operations personnel.

• Support project managers with budget tracking, scheduling, risk management, and client coordination.

• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance across project teams.

• Participate in business development activities, proposal preparation, and client presentations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in:

  • Mechanical Engineering

  • Electrical Engineering

  • Systems Engineering

  • Transportation Engineering

  • Or a related engineering discipline

• In lieu of a degree, 8–10 years of relevant engineering experience in one or more of the following:

  • Rail vehicle engineering

  • Rolling stock systems

  • Transit vehicle programs

  • Automotive engineering

  • Aerospace systems

  • Transportation systems integration

• Experience supporting vehicle procurement, fleet modernization, rehabilitation, overhaul, or systems integration programs.

• Strong understanding of vehicle systems and subsystem interfaces.

• Experience reviewing engineering drawings, specifications, and technical documentation.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to manage multiple assignments in a fast-paced consulting environment.

• Willingness to travel domestically to client sites, manufacturing facilities, and project locations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) license or ability to obtain.

• Master's degree in Engineering or related discipline.

• Experience supporting major transit agencies or rolling stock manufacturers.

• Familiarity with:

  • FRA requirements

  • APTA standards

  • AREMA guidelines

  • Transit vehicle industry standards

• Experience with vehicle testing, commissioning, and acceptance programs.

• Knowledge of systems engineering principles and requirements management.

• Experience with AutoCAD, Bentley products, or other engineering design and documentation platforms.

Key Competencies

• Rail Vehicle Systems Engineering

• Rolling Stock Design Review

• Systems Integration

• Technical Problem Solving

• Vehicle Testing & Commissioning

• Fleet Modernization Programs

• Client Relationship Management

• Technical Writing & Documentation

• Project Delivery

• Leadership & Mentoring

Compensation Range:

$99,431.03 - $113,635.46

STV offers the following benefits • Health insurance, including an option with a Health Savings Account • Dental insurance • Vision insurance • Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care and Transit and Parking where applicable) • Disability insurance • Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment • 401(k) Plan • Retirement Counseling • Employee Assistance Program • Paid Time Off (starting at 16 days) • Paid Holidays (9 days) • Back-Up Dependent Care (up to 10 days per year) • Parental Leave (up to 80 hours) • Continuing Education Program • Professional Licensure and Society Memberships

STV is committed to paying all of its employees in a fair, equitable, and transparent manner. The listed pay range is STV’s good-faith salary estimate for this position. Please note that the final salary offered for this position may be outside of this published range based on many factors, including but not limited to geography, education, experience, and/or certifications.

Not sure this role is the perfect match? We encourage you to apply if STV’s work and values resonate with you. We know great candidates don’t always meet every qualification, and research shows women and people of color are less likely to apply unless they do. At STV, we believe strong talent comes from a wide range of backgrounds, and your skills and experience may align with this or another opportunity as we continue to grow.