Principal Engineer - Track Inspection Technology-90168160 - Washington D.C./PHL

Key Skills

Aartificial intelligence, Algorithms, Apache Hive, Data science techniques, Design, Effective communication skills, HDFS, Keras software library, Machine learning techniques, Mathematical modeling, Microsoft Office suites, Project management, Scikit-learn, SPARK Programming, Statistics, TensorFlow

Job Description

Amtrak’s Research and Development department aims to gather, study, and utilize data that can be used to improve railroad infrastructure testing, inspection, and maintenance operations. Current and future research projects aim to assess the tools, methods, and materials used in all railroad infrastructure, with an emphasis on track-related topics. The Principal Engineer Track Inspection Technology assists the Senior Manager Engineering Research & Developing on developing research topics and managing research projects related to track inspection systems and services.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Work with a highly innovative and vibrant team of engineers, data scientists, and software programmers to prototype, develop, and access advanced track inspection technologies.

• Work on developing visual and optical inspection systems including developing algorithms for pattern recognition, detection of anomalies, abrupt changes, and gradual degradation of track infrastructure.

• Assist with design, implementation, deployment, and field evaluation of advanced tamping system solutions.

• Research, design, develop, implement, and validate mathematical and statistical algorithms and models, e.g., predictive modeling and machine learning techniques, to analyze diverse sources of data to achieve targeted outcomes.

• Lead building AI-enabled engineering systems to create enterprise value from the data collected and generated by vehicle-track measurement systems.

• Coach, mentor, and guide junior data scientists and engineers. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent work experience and training in position of similar capacity with preferred background in vehicle systems, statistics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, or application development.

• Prior experience in railway engineering, safety systems, instrumentation, and signal processing.

• Demonstrated project management experience.

• Qualified or possess sufficient experience to be qualified and maintain qualification in: MW-1000; Procedures for the Installation, Adjustment, Maintenance, and Inspection of CWR; NORAC; RWP; AMT-2.

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.

• Excellent time management skills.

• Strong technical skills in engineering design, testing, and analysis focused on safety and inspection and track work vehicle systems including, but not limited to, vehicle-track interaction, instrumentation, analog and digital filter design, and signal processing.

• Proficiency in machine learning/AI algorithms including, but not limited to, regression techniques, artificial neural networks, decision trees, clustering, pattern recognition, probability theory, stochastic systems, Bayesian inference, statistical techniques, deep learning, supervised learning, and unsupervised learning.

• Working knowledge of Cloud Computing, Bid Data, and opensource software tools such as HDFS, Hive, HQL, Spark, Tensflow, Keras, and Scikit-learn.

• A strong track record of starting new activity areas in E2E management of projects related to analytics enabled solutions and transferring to production.

• Comfortable in both office and field working environments.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate and coordinate with both internal and external team members.

• Must be skilled and experienced with MS Office, creating spreadsheets, presentations, and memorandums.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• 7+ years of railroad-related experience in research, developing, and implementation of Track Inspection and Tamping related projects.
• Licensed Professional Engineer or ability to acquire.

• Practical railroad track inspection, maintenance, and safety experience.

• Working knowledge of railroad operations and procedures.

• MW-1000

• Procedures for the Installation, Adjustment, Maintenance, and Inspection of CWR

• NORAC

• RWP

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

• 70% office

• 30% field

• 30% travel

• May involve extensive night work and multiple day stays away from office.

COMMUNICATIONS AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:

Must have excellent oral and written communication skills.

The salary/hourly range is $124,600-$161,352. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, etc. Depending on an employee’s assigned worksite or location, Amtrak may consider a geo-pay differential to be applied to the employee’s base salary. Amtrak may offer additional incentive and pay programs to recognize and reward our employees, including a short-term incentive bonus based upon factors such as individual and company performance that is commensurate with the level of the position and/or long-term incentive plan compensation. In addition to your salary, Amtrak offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes health, dental, and vision plans; health savings accounts; wellness programs; flexible spending accounts; 401K retirement plan with employer match; life insurance; short and long term disability insurance; paid time off; back-up care; adoption assistance; surrogacy assistance; reimbursement of education expenses; Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility; Railroad Retirement sickness and retirement benefits; and rail pass privileges. Learn more about our benefits offerings here.

Requisition ID:160627

Posting Location(s):District of Columbia; Pennsylvania

Job Family/Function:Engineering

Relocation Offered:No

Travel Requirements:Up to 50%

You power our progress through your performance.

We want your work at Amtrak to be more than a job. We want your career at Amtrak to be a fulfilling experience where you find challenging work, rewarding opportunities, respect among colleagues, and attractive compensation. Amtrak maintains a culture that values high performance and recognizes individual employee contributions.

Amtrak is committed to a safe workplace free of drugs and alcohol. All Amtrak positions requires a pre-employment background check that includes prior employment verification, a criminal history check and a pre-employment drug screen.

Candidates who test positive for marijuana will be disqualified, regardless of any state or local statute, ordinance, regulation, or other law that legalizes or decriminalizes the use or possession of marijuana, whether for medical, recreational, or other use. Amtrak's pre-employment drug testing program is administered in accordance with DOT regulations and applicable law. 

In accordance with DOT regulations (49 CFR § 40.25), Amtrak is required to obtain prior drug and alcohol testing records for applicants/employees intending to perform safety-sensitive duties for covered Department of Transportation positions. If an applicant/employee refuses to provide written consent for Amtrak to obtain these records, the individual will not be permitted to perform safety-sensitive functions.

In accordance with federal law governing security checks of covered individuals for providers of public transportation (Title 6 U.S.C. §1143), Amtrak is required to screen applicants for any permanent or interim disqualifying criminal offenses.

Note that any education requirement listed above may be deemed satisfied if you have an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Amtrak is an EOE/Affirmative Action Minority/Female employer, and we welcome all to apply. We consider candidates regardless of race/color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions), national origin/ethnicity, age, disability (intellectual, mental and physical), veteran status, marital status, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, genetic information, citizenship or any other personal characteristics protected by law.