Senior Signals Specialist

STV is seeking a Senior Signals Specialist with more than 25 years of progressive experience in railroad and transit signal systems to provide technical leadership and project oversight across complex, multi-discipline signal projects to join our Signals team in Douglassville, PA. This role serves as a senior technical authority and project leader, supporting the planning, design, construction, testing, staging, and commissioning of signal systems for major railroad and transit infrastructure programs.

The Senior Signals Specialist will lead and coordinate signal activities across internal engineering teams and external stakeholders, ensuring safe, reliable, and integrated signal system delivery in collaboration with Operations, Track, Traction Power, OCS, and Communications disciplines.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior technical lead and subject matter expert for railroad and transit signal systems across all project phases, including design, construction support, testing, staging, and cutovers.

• Provide technical direction and oversight for signal system designs, ensuring compliance with applicable industry standards (AREMA, APTA, FRA, client-specific criteria, and regulatory requirements).

• Lead and manage major signal projects, including scope definition, technical execution, risk identification, and coordination with multidisciplinary engineering teams.

• Coordinate closely with Operations, Track, Traction Power, Overhead Contact System (OCS), and Communications groups to ensure fully integrated system delivery.

• Support development and execution of construction phasing, staging plans, and testing/commissioning strategies for complex operating environments.

• Review and approve signal designs, specifications, plans, cost estimates, schedules, and technical submittals.

• Provide technical support during construction, including field reviews, contractor coordination, responses to RFIs, and resolution of design and installation issues.

• Mentor and guide junior and mid-level signal engineers and designers, promoting best practices and technical excellence.

• Participate in client meetings, technical reviews, and agency coordination activities as a senior representative of the firm.

• Contribute to continuous improvement of signal standards, technical approaches, and delivery methodologies.

Required Qualifications

• More than 25 years of experience in railroad and/or transit signal systems engineering.

• Extensive hands-on experience with signal systems design, construction, testing, staging, and phasing.

• Proven experience managing major signal projects in active railroad or transit operating environments.

• Demonstrated ability to coordinate signal work with Operations, Track, Traction Power, OCS, and Communications disciplines.

• Strong knowledge of industry standards, codes, and regulatory requirements applicable to rail and transit signal systems.

• Excellent technical judgment, organizational skills, and ability to lead complex, multidisciplinary efforts.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey technical concepts to clients, agencies, and project teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) license.

• Experience working directly with transit agencies, freight railroads, and commuter rail operators.

• Previous experience serving as a technical authority or discipline lead on large-scale capital programs.

Compensation Range: $124,726.29 - $142,544.33

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.