Associate Transportation Engineer - Transit Engineering chez Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, CA
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, CA · San Jose, États-Unis d'Amérique · Onsite
- Professional
- Bureau à San Jose
About the Department
Light Rail Engineering Team
The Light Rail Engineering Team, part of the Transit Engineering Department, is made up of experienced professionals dedicated to advancing VTA’s rail systems and project delivery. The team drives key initiatives that enhance the state of good repair, light rail efficiency, and system safety—all of which play a vital role in improving the daily experience of rail transit riders across Santa Clara County.
What You'll Be Doing:
Definition
Under direction, the Associate Transportation Engineer supervises and performs responsible professional, field and office engineering work in connection with the planning, design, construction, maintenance and operation of transportation systems and projects; and to participate in a variety of services and special studies requiring the application of professional knowledge and skills.
Distinguishing Characteristics
This is the journey-level class in the professional transportation engineer series. Associate Transportation Engineers typically perform more difficult or complex engineering work, using independent judgment, and typically serve as the project lead, providing lead supervision to lower level professional and technical staff on a project basis.
The Associate Transportation Engineer is distinguished from the next higher level of Senior Transportation Engineer in that the latter class has full supervisory responsibility over staff and consultants of a major unit or program.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a skilled engineering professional with a strong foundation in engineering and construction principles within a public transit environment. They should excel at managing complex projects from concept to completion and thrive in collaborative settings, working seamlessly with diverse internal and external stakeholders. This individual should have a proven track record in delivering light rail projects—including systems such as track, overhead catenary, signaling, traction power substations, and SCADA.
Note: This classification is eligible for a 4% professional incentive pay for maintaining a valid Professional Engineer (PE) license issued by the State of California. The incentive will end if the incumbent leaves the classification or fails to maintain the required license.
About VTA
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority employs more than 2,000 people dedicated to providing solutions that move Silicon Valley. Unique among transportation organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area, VTA is Santa Clara County’s authority for transit development and operations (light rail and bus), congestion management, transportation-related funding, highway design and construction, real estate and transit-oriented development, and bicycle and pedestrian planning. With local, state, and federal partners, VTA works to innovate the way Silicon Valley moves and provide mobility solutions for all.
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district that provides sustainable, accessible, community-focused transportation options that are innovative, environmentally responsible, and promote the vitality of our region.
VTA provides bus, light rail, and paratransit services, as well as participates as a funding partner in regional rail service including Caltrain, Capitol Corridor, and the Altamont Corridor Express.
As the county’s congestion management agency, VTA is responsible for countywide transportation planning, including congestion management, design and construction of specific highway, pedestrian, and bicycle improvement projects, as well as promotion of transit oriented development.
VTA provides these services throughout the county, including Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga and Sunnyvale. VTA continually builds partnerships to deliver transportation solutions that meet the evolving mobility needs of Santa Clara County.
As we continue to implement our VTA Forward Plan, we aim to strengthen and increase our workforce to take on future opportunities and challenges by elevating our people and our services.
For more information about our VTA Forward Plan, visit: https://www.vta.org/VTAForward
Family-Friendly Workplace Certification Program (FFWCP)
The County of Santa Clara FFWCP recognizes VTA as a business that creates supportive workplaces for employees and their families.
Family-friendly workplaces improve health outcomes and job satisfaction for employees and increase work productivity and retention for employers. Employers can create a family-friendly workplace by meeting and exceeding state and federal employment laws relating to parental leave, lactation accommodation, and work/family balance.
Position Duties
Typical Tasks
- Performs professional engineering activities related to planning, design, construction maintenance and operation of transportation facilities including fixed guideways, transit, highway, bicycle, airport and other facilities;
- Reviews technical reports on transportation systems design submittals, reviews design submittals from contractors for contract compliance and recommends changes to existing planning and design criteria;
- Reviews documents prepared by subordinates, consultants, and other parties;
- Determines route alignments;
- Makes analyses to determine best design;
- Develops routes and schedules for transit system facilities;
- Supervises the design and construction of transportation system facilities;
- Directs other engineering personnel in preparing final plans and maps;
- Supervises the preparation of detailed drawing and specifications;
- Writes reports and makes estimates of a specialized nature in connection with various transportation projects;
- Makes preliminary designs and estimates for determining budgetary needs for construction and maintenance activities;
- Performs related work as required.
- Responsible for technical details of an entire project, such as planning, design, and contract documents, typically involving project coordination and administration;
- Resolves technical problems concerning the planning, design, construction, maintenance and operation of transportation facilities;
- Performs other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Employment Standards
Development of the required skills, knowledge and abilities is typically obtained through training and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with major work in engineering, plus four years of increasingly responsible experience in the performance of professional engineering work in design, estimating, construction, and contract administration, with a strong emphasis in design and construction of transportation systems and projects.
Other Qualifications
Knowledge of:
- Methods, materials and equipment used in the design, construction and operation of transportation facilities;
- Principles and practices of engineering used in transportation systems and facilities;
- Principles and practices of scheduling and coordinating engineering work and project control;
- Applicable local, State, and Federal codes and regulations governing transit-related design and construction;
- Knowledge of C.P.U.C., NEMA, NEC, AREMA and similar codes governing transit systems design and construction;
- Engineering theory and practical application of operating transit systems;
- Specifications writing and estimating for rail systems projects;
- Principles and practices of contract administration and construction management, construction inspection, and materials testing;
- Planning and budgeting for transportation development projects;
- Economics of transportation facility design;
- Software tools common to the field of engineering;
- Safety practices in the construction industry.
Ability to:
- Inspect plans for the methods of construction;
- Design or review the design of transportation systems and facilities;
- Design, check, sign, and stamp drawing and specification;
- Assist in inspections to achieve compliance with contracts, construction plans, and specifications;
- Prepare cost estimates for projects;
- Review and prepare clear and concise correspondence, reports, specifications, and other documents;
- Effectively represent VTA at technical meetings, and before local citizens in public meetings and hearing;
- Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing;
- Take initiative, reason logically, and be creative in developing and introducing new ideas;
- Define problem areas and evaluate, recommend, and implement alternative solutions to issues and problems;
- Establish cooperative relations with staff, contractors, community organizations, representatives of Federal, State, regional, and city agencies, and the general public.
Please read this job announcement in its entirety before applying. We recommend printing or saving a copy for future reference.
To be considered, applications must be submitted online through the Human Resources department by the posted deadline. If the job posting is listed as “continuous,” we encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as the posting may close without prior notice. Once your application is submitted, you will receive an immediate email confirmation.
Important: Only online applications will be accepted for this recruitment. We do not accept paper applications, resumes, Job Interest Notification Cards, or incomplete/unsubmitted applications in place of a fully completed application.
Communication & Contact Information
All updates regarding your application—including notices for testing and interviews—will be sent via email. Be sure to select email as your preferred method of communication and maintain a valid, up-to-date email address. Applicants are also responsible for keeping their phone numbers and mailing addresses current in their online profiles.
Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to provide individual updates. Please check your application status through your online account. For technical support, contact NEOGOV at (855) 524-5627, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (PST), excluding holidays.
Application Review & Processing
All current and prior relevant work experience—including experience with VTA—must be fully detailed in the Work Experience section of your application. Entries such as “see resume” are not acceptable. Incomplete or improperly completed applications may be rejected, even if you meet the minimum qualifications.
While you are welcome to upload a resume, it does not substitute for completing the online application in full. Be sure that your application accurately reflects the education and experience necessary for the position.
Applications are reviewed throughout the recruitment process to determine whether candidates meet the minimum qualifications. Meeting these minimums or advancing through any stage does not guarantee further consideration. Any misrepresentation or falsification of qualifications, experience, education, or training may result in disqualification and/or exclusion from future employment opportunities with VTA.
This classification is represented by Transportation Authority Engineers and Architects Association(TAEA).Wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment are governed by the applicable collective bargaining agreement between VTA and the union.
Tentative Examinations:
Oral Panel: Week of January 12-16, 2026
Conditions of Employment
Final candidates must successfully complete a Livescan background check, reference checks, verification of education or certifications, and a criminal history review before appointment.
For safety sensitive positions, VTA requires all safety-sensitive positions to have a 6-month DOT physical clearance. Obtained at the time of preboarding from a VTA-contracted Concentra Location.
Eligibility List
The established Eligible List from this recruitment will be used to fill the current vacancies and additional vacancies that may occur. Eligible Lists typically remain in effect for six (6) months. However, Human Resources may abolish Eligible Lists at any time during the six (6) month period. Human Resources may extend eligible Lists for up to two (2) years. Eligible Lists may be used for more than one recruitment.
Americans with Disabilities Act Accommodations
VTA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities in the recruitment and examination process. To request an accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department at (408) 321-5575 or email [email protected] at least five business days before the test.
Equal Employment Opportunity
VTA is an equal employment opportunity employer. VTA does not and will not tolerate discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age, ancestry, color, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information, national, origin, immigration status, political affiliation, race, religion, creed, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, medical condition, disabled veteran or veteran status, etc.
