Communications Design Manager - Rail & Transit

We are seeking a Communications Design Manager  to join our Rail and Transit team in Seattle, WA, Austin, TX, New York, NY, Washington, DC, and Sacramento, CA. Under general direction, provides technical expertise within the area of communications engineering for diverse activities throughout the assigned area of responsibility and/or companywide. May function as lead designer or technical consultant. Upholds engineering ethics and standards of conduct.

• Leads the design, integration, and commissioning of communications systems, including but not limited to radio, fiber optic, network infrastructure, and communications-based control systems. Ensures all systems are engineered to meet operational requirements, safety standards, and regulatory compliance for passenger and freight rail environments.
• Coordinates multidisciplinary teams to deliver complex communications projects, collaborating with communications engineers, network specialists, systems integrators, and operations staff. Oversees the development and review of system architectures, interface specifications, and test procedures to ensure seamless interoperability between communications subsystems and legacy infrastructure.
• Provides technical leadership during system hazard analysis, failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA), and safety certification processes. Acts as the primary technical liaison with clients, regulatory agencies, and third-party vendors on all matters related to communications, ensuring that project deliverables meet or exceed industry best practices and client expectations.
• Defines scope of communications projects, with full responsibility for interpreting, organizing, and executing project assignments related to communications systems.
• Selects problems for investigation, developing novel approaches and solutions to technical challenges in communications engineering.
• Conducts quality control checks, reviewing calculations, designs, evaluations, and specifications developed by design staff for accuracy and completeness, performing on-site inspections and reviews of communications installations, and conducting or overseeing remedial design work.
• Keeps abreast of state-of-the-art methods and developments in communications systems and technologies.
• Recommends changes or improvements to communications plans and programs, ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements (e.g., FCC, FRA, FTA).
• May function as the project manager for routine to semi-complex communications projects. Responsibilities may include marketing, negotiating contracts, budgeting, financial management, schedule coordination, and resource allocation.
• Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor, particularly those related to communications systems. 
• Complexity: Work involves coordination, research and problem solving on a variety of engineering projects with unique or controversial problems, the solution of which has an important effect on major organization programs.
• Decision making: Supervision received is essentially administrative, with assignments given in terms of broad general objectives and limits. Acts independently on technical matters relating to his/her field.
• Work direction given to others: Supervises and/or coordinates with other senior professionals and support staff.
• Internal contacts: Interfaces with senior technical professionals, technical managers, and administrative staff and managers as necessary.
• External contacts: Represents the organization in conferences with clients, prospective clients, and regulatory agencies

• B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field. M.S. or graduate-level technical coursework preferred.
• P.E. license is Required.
• Typical incumbent has 15 to 20 years of experience in rail/transit environments.
• 10 or more years of rail/transit experience focused on communications is required.
• Strong technical writing and communications skills, proven through technical presentations, technical papers, and/or participation in technical committees.
• Demonstrated expertise in communications systems and related safety-critical systems.
• Familiarity with industry standards (e.g., AREMA, IEEE, FCC, FRA, FTA) and safety certification processes.
• Competencies: General Competencies expected of all Professionals and Managers are as follows: Client Service, Commitment, Communication, Innovation & Continuous Improvement, Professionalism, Quality, and Teamwork.
• Other: Ability to process paper/electronic documents and utilize computer equipment; ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing; ability to visit project sites if necessary. Job also requires ability to plan, prioritize and review project plans and documents, evaluate alternatives, and select appropriate solutions.

At AtkinsRéalis, our values—Safety, Integrity, Collaboration, Innovation, and Excellence—are more than just words. They are the foundation of who we are and how we work. These principles shape our culture, guide our decisions, and inspire us to create an environment where every team member feels empowered to grow, succeed, and make a meaningful impact. 

Depending on your employment status, AtkinsRéalis benefits may include medical, dental, vision, company-paid life and short- and long-term disability benefits, employer-matched 401(k) with 100% vesting, employee stock purchase plan, Paid Time Off, leaves of absences options, flexible work options, recognition and employee satisfaction programs, employee assistance program, and voluntary benefits. You can review our comprehensive benefits page.  

We're AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people. 

Find out more.  

Expected compensation range is between $101,900-$169,800  annually depending on skills, experience, and geographical location. 

Are you ready to expand your career with us? Apply today and help us shape something extraordinary.

AtkinsRéalis is an equal opportunity, Drug-Free employer EOE/Veteran/Disability 

Please review AtkinsRéalis’ Equal Opportunity Statement here. 

Upon acceptance of an offer, all candidates must go through a drug screen test and background check. AtkinsRéalis is a federal contractor which mandates a satisfactory background screening report and drug test. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for Employment in accordance with the following laws if applicable, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the California Fair Chance Act.  This position is not available for individuals living or working in New York City. AtkinsRéalis believes that conviction records may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship to the following job duties: accessing company property, information, assets, and products; accessing confidential information and partnering and regularly working with or supervising other AtkinsRéalis employees and interacting with AtkinsRéalis clients including government property or ports.

AtkinsRéalis cares about your privacy and is committed to protecting your privacy. Please consult our Privacy Notice on our Careers site to know more about how we collect, use and transfer your Personal Data. By submitting your personal information to AtkinsRéalis, you confirm that you have read and accept our Privacy Notice.

Note to staffing and direct hire agencies: 

In the event a recruiter or agency who is not on our preferred supplier list submits a resume/candidate to anyone in the company, AtkinsRéalis family of companies, we explicitly reserve the right to recruit and hire the candidate(s) at our discretion and without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. https://careers.atkinsrealis.com/recruitment-agencies

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At AtkinsRéalis, we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through these differences.