Senior Manager: Technical Rail Systems

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Job Description:

The Senior Project Manager: Technical – Rail Systems is a senior, client‑facing role embedded within an integrated client–PMC office on a major transportation program with a heavy focus on rail (metro, heavy rail, light rail, high‑speed). This is a non‑operational position focused on managing and assuring the rail systems technical scope across the design and build lifecycle on behalf of the client, rather than operating or maintaining the railway.

Sitting within the Engineering & Safety function, the role provides technical leadership, design governance, systems integration oversight, and safety‑by‑design assurance for all rail systems packages. Typical systems include signalling and train control, telecoms, SCADA, platform systems, fare collection, security, and line‑wide systems. The position ensures that consultants, contractors, and integrators deliver safe, compliant, interoperable, and constructible solutions that meet employer’s requirements, rail standards, and regulatory expectations.

Key Responsibilities

1. Client Representation & Governance (Integrated Office)

• Act as the primary technical focal point for rail systems within the integrated client office.
• Represent the client in technical, design, integration, and risk meetings with consultants, contractors, systems integrators, independent reviewers, and authorities.
• Interpret, communicate, and safeguard employer’s requirements, system performance specifications, and technical standards for rail systems.
• Provide independent, objective advice and recommendations to client leadership on rail systems issues, risks, and impacts on scope, time, cost, and safety.

2. Rail Systems Design Management & Technical Assurance

• Manage and oversee the rail systems design lifecycle (concept, preliminary, detailed design) for:
  • Signalling and train control
  • Telecoms (radio, CCTV, PABX, passenger information, data networks)
  • Control systems and SCADA
  • Platform systems (platform screen doors, edge doors, interface with signalling)
  • Automatic fare collection and ticketing systems
  • Security systems (access control, intrusion detection, public address)
  • Other line‑wide systems as applicable
• Review and challenge system design reports, drawings, architectures, software/hardware specifications, and interface control documents for compliance with:
  • Employer’s requirements and performance criteria
  • Local regulations and authority requirements
  • Relevant international and industry standards
• Chair or lead multi‑discipline rail systems design reviews and value engineering workshops to drive safe, robust, and cost‑effective solutions.
• Ensure requirements management and traceability for rail systems from capture through verification, validation, and close‑out.
• Oversee implementation of the technical assurance framework for rail systems, including formal design verification, independent safety assessments, and configuration control.

3. Systems Integration & Interfaces

• Oversee, from a PMC perspective, the integration of rail systems with:
  • Track and rolling stock (train control, braking curves, speed profiles, headways)
  • Power supply and traction power systems
  • Stations and depots (room layouts, cable routes, equipment spaces, MEP interfaces)
  • Central control centres and back‑office systems
• Manage interface registers and interface control documents for rail systems; ensure early identification and resolution of cross‑system and cross‑contract issues.
• Support integrated system architecture development and ensure that all systems are compatible, scalable, and support operational concepts (normal, degraded, and emergency operations).
• Coordinate closely with civil, MEP, and architecture teams to ensure physical and environmental requirements for rail systems equipment are embedded in designs.

4. Safety, RAMS & Regulatory Compliance (Non‑Operational)

• Embed safety by design principles across all rail systems and support demonstration of system safety and availability targets.
• Review and monitor rail systems RAMS documentation, including safety cases, hazard logs, risk assessments, FMEAs and FTA.
• Coordinate with the Engineering & Safety function, independent safety assessors and regulators/authorities on safety approval processes and evidence.
• Ensure that required safety approvals, certifications, and licenses for rail systems are planned, tracked, and obtained in line with project milestones.
• Support the definition and implementation of cybersecurity requirements and processes for safety‑critical and business‑critical rail systems.

5. Design–Build Coordination & Construction Support

• Ensure rail systems designs are aligned with construction methodologies, phasing, and access constraints; identify constructability and installation risks early.
• Review contractors’ installation strategies, cable routing plans, equipment room layouts, and temporary works arrangements from a technical and safety standpoint.
• Support the client in evaluating and approving rail systems design changes, technical deviations, and value engineering proposals, including impact assessments on safety, performance, and interfaces.
• Provide senior technical input on RFIs, non‑conformance reports, and site technical queries related to rail systems.
• Oversee quality of as‑built documentation and verify alignment with approved designs and technical requirements.

6. Testing, Commissioning & System Acceptance (Technical Oversight)

• Review testing and commissioning strategies, plans, and procedures for rail systems, including:
  • Factory acceptance tests
  • Site acceptance tests
  • Static and dynamic tests
  • Integration tests and trial running
• Monitor execution of testing and commissioning via reports and selective site attendance; assess readiness for key milestones (trial operations, safety certification).
• Evaluate test results, defects, and trends; ensure robust defect management and re‑testing strategies are implemented.
• Support the client in formal acceptance processes and performance demonstrations; confirm that rail systems meet functional, safety, and performance requirements before handover.
• Coordinate with Operations & Maintenance teams to ensure systems are operable, maintainable, and aligned with long‑term asset management strategies.

7. Program, Cost & Technical Risk Management

• Monitor progress of rail systems design, procurement, installation, and commissioning activities against the integrated master program.
• Identify schedule‑critical dependencies such as power‑on dates, track access, and integration windows; propose mitigation and recovery plans where required.
• Support project controls and commercial teams with technical input for changes, claims, and variations related to rail systems.
• Maintain and update rail systems technical risk registers, including assessment of likelihood, impact, and mitigation strategies.
• Provide clear, concise technical, risk, and status reports for client governance and steering committees.

8. Stakeholder, Authority & Third‑Party Coordination

• Coordinate with internal client stakeholders to ensure rail systems support operational concepts and customer service objectives.
• Interface with regulators, transport authorities, telecom and power providers, and other third parties involved in approvals, licenses, and interconnections.
• Support engagement with adjacent projects, developers, and other infrastructure owners where interdependencies exist

9. Leadership, Team & Quality Management

• Lead and mentor a team of rail systems engineers and technical specialists within the integrated client–PMC environment.
• Promote a culture of safety, technical excellence, collaboration, and proactive risk management.
• Ensure robust QA/QC processes for rail systems design and construction deliverables, including systematic reviews, audits, and technical checkpoints.
• Capture, document, and disseminate lessons learned on rail systems design, integration, commissioning, and safety assurance across the program.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Telecommunications, Control/Systems Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Master’s degree in Railway Systems, Transportation Engineering, Systems Engineering, or Project Management is an advantage.
• Professional registration/chartership (CEng, PE, equivalent) is highly desirable.
• Project management certification (PMP, PRINCE2) is an advantage.

Experience

• Typically 15+ years’ experience in rail systems engineering on major rail/metro/light rail/high‑speed rail projects.
• Substantial experience in a PMC, client, or major consultancy role managing rail systems scope on design and build contracts.
• Proven track record in rail systems design management, systems integration, and technical assurance on complex, multi‑contract programs.
• Demonstrable experience with signalling/train control
• Experience working within integrated client/PMC teams and coordinating with multiple contractors, consultants, and OEMs is highly advantageous.

Skills & Competencies

• Deep technical understanding of rail systems architectures, technologies, and standards.
• Strong knowledge of systems engineering, integration, and RAMS principles,
• Excellent project management, planning, and coordination skills in complex, multi‑stakeholder environments.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities, with a structured approach to technical and program risk management.
• Highly effective communication, facilitation, and negotiation skills, with the ability to explain complex technical issues to non‑technical stakeholders.
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and client‑service orientation.
• Proficiency with standard office and project tools; familiarity with requirements management tools, modelling/simulation tools, platforms, and document control systems is an advantage.
• Fluency in English (written and spoken); Arabic ideal.

Parsons equally employs representation at all job levels no matter the race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability or genetic information.

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