Reliability Engineer - Boston, United States - Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)

Description

At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTAs core values are built around safety, service, equity, and sustainability and each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.

Job Summary

In line with 49 CFR 625, 630, and 673 requirements, the Reliability Engineer will assist in the Reliability and Asset Management program to monitor and manage public transportation capital and operating assets to enhance safety, reduce maintenance costs, increase reliability, and improve performance.

The successful candidate for this role will report to the Deputy Director of Reliability Engineering under Engineering, Planning, and Asset Management. The candidate will play a pivotal role in determining maintenance and engineering priorities within all modes of transportation through failure analysis and help develop a Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) program. This role will act as the primary liaison to the Engineering and Maintenance Department (E&M) and Vehicle Maintenance (VM) to integrate reliability engineering efforts into an existing PMI program. This position will also be responsible for the development of the RCM branch of the Reliability Engineering department (interviewing, onboarding, forecasting, and establishing departmental policies for a new segment of the business).

Duties & Responsibilities

Serves as the lead on programs related to improving reliability, availability, maintainability, and safety for all Infrastructure and Fleet asset classes.
* Apply maintenance, technology, and innovation strategies for equipment, utilities, and facilities that minimize risks to levels of service.
* Cultivate strong relationships with all individual asset class owners under E&M and Vehicle Maintenance.
* Collect asset performance data, verify and document as part of the Asset Management Program.
* Apply Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) methods to guide MBTA departments in maintaining assets using best practices.
* Leads efforts in determining root causes of failure of MBTA revenue and non-revenue assets to ensure problems are identified at the correct level so appropriate solutions can be implemented.
* Serves as a champion for all asset classes to ensure critical assets are monitored consistently for failure trends and performance.
* Utilizes analysis tools and methods to independently develop performance reports on a daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly basis as required to ensure timely and relevant performance reporting is published to asset owners.
* Analyzes projected product utilization and calculates the cumulative effect on final system reliability.
* Drafts failure mode and effect analysis reports, and formulates mathematical models to identify assets posing excessive failure risks
* Propose changes in design and develop work/maintenance plans to implement actions based on data analyses.
* Supports the implementation of the Enterprise Asset Management system (EAM), Asset Configuration Management (ACM), and the management of data across numerous databases to ensure the quality and integrity of the data.
* Advises and confers with engineers in design review meetings to give reliability findings and recommendations.
* Assist with the development and documentation of condition-based assessments for each individual asset type.
* Document the determining inspection criteria for verifying the condition of assets and monitor maintenance practices and procedures.
* Establish criteria for component removal, refurbishment, and preventive maintenance cycles based on data-driven metrics.
* Measure the effectiveness of asset (both class and individual) maintenance programs.
* Prepare, author, and develop periodic detailed reports to Senior Managers, Directors, Managers, Superintendents, and Supervisors based upon data derived from the EAMS to identify instances requiring engineering improvement.
* Review inspections, test samples, reports, and other data to determine the Maintenance Condition of assets and components.
* Create, analyze, and interpret EAM reports and data to assist with engineering and budget decisions.
* Respond to each inquiry, whether from a customer, vendor, or co-worker professionally and courteously.
* Support the Asset and Quality Management division policies and procedures by monitoring that policies and procedures are followed as they relate to assets, audit requirements, and other MBTA manuals and directives.
* Uphold the rights and interests of the Authority while building and maintaining an effective relationship with employees.
* Assist in the management of a workforce by ensuring the fair and consistent application and strict adherence to the rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the Authority including the EEO, Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment and Anti-Retaliation policies.
* Perform related duties and projects as assigned.
* Work effectively with a diverse workforce

Physical Demands and Working Conditions
* The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Supervision
* None

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications

Minimum Education
* Bachelors degree from an accredited institution in Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Computer, or Industrial Engineering.

Minimum Experience and Required Skills
* Two (2) years of experience in either/or rail signaling, track structure maintenance, transit power systems or buildings and facilities maintenance, facilities construction, and knowledge of civil specifications and drawings with strong experience in performance monitoring, performance reporting, or auditing.
* Experience with processes associated with assets or activities to document and assess conditions or processes, maintenance planning, or proposing improvements.
* Strong analytical, organizational, planning, time management, and interpersonal skills.
* Proficient with the use of MS Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and database applications.
* Effectively communicate with customers, employees, vendors, contractors, designers, public legislators, and state and federal agencies.
* Have excellent customer service, conflict resolution, negotiation, and communication skills.
* Possession of a valid drivers license without infractions under MBTA policy.
* Have the ability to work any shifts and/or locations assigned or directed.
* Be available to work twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week, 365 days per year.

Substitutions Include

None.

Preferred Experience and Skills
* Experience with engineering and maintenance
* Knowledge of Systems Engineering methodologies.
* Knowledge of Risk Management.
* Knowledge of Spatial Analytics.
* Knowledge of Enterprise Asset Management Systems

Job Conditions:

• Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences
• Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team (or supervise, if required)
• Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers
• Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies
• Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection)
• Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and medical Clinic screening, potentially including a physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings
• Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service

Disclaimers and Definitions:

1. General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.
2. Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.
3. Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.
4. Work Eligibility: Although the MBTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, all employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer and on an unrestricted basis (the MBTA does not sponsor non-US citizens). However, if you have an unrestricted work authorization, or sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply for open positions. International students taking part in CPT / STEM / OPT programs through a university are eligible for internships and co-ops with the MBTA. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
5. Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one-time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview. In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.
6. Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.
7. On-call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.
8. Essential / Emergency Staff: During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.
9. ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTAs ADA Unit at or
10. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. For terms, descriptions, and definitions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, veteran status, and immediate family members that you may find on the application form, please visit