Director, Rail Systems (Light and Heavy Rail) - Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County

Director of Rail Systems (Systems Engineering)

Are you ready to lead the future of rail transit? METRO is seeking an innovative and dynamic leader to oversee our Systems Engineering Team, a critical group dedicated to enhancing and sustaining our rail operations. This is your chance to make a tangible impact on the safety, reliability, and growth of Houston’s transit system while driving forward cutting-edge projects and industry advancements.

What You’ll Do

As the Director of Rail Systems you will:

• Lead a Multidisciplinary Team: Guide and inspire our Chief Mechanical Engineer, Chief Signals & Train Control, and Chief Safety Engineer to ensure the safe and efficient operation of METRORail assets.

• Shape the Future of Rail: Collaborate with key stakeholders to develop a strategic Capital Improvement Program that supports system upgrades, expansions, and innovations.

• Manage High-Impact Projects: Oversee every aspect of project planning, design, construction, and commissioning for major rail initiatives, ensuring alignment with industry best practices and regulatory requirements.

• Innovate for Excellence: Continuously monitor and update METRO’s System Specifications and Design Criteria to stay ahead of industry trends and regulatory demands.

• Drive Operational Success: Actively address challenges, close knowledge gaps, and remove roadblocks to deliver projects that keep METRO at the forefront of transit operations.

• Champion Safety: Implement Safety Management System (SMS) principles in all aspects of your work while ensuring compliance with METRO’s Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP).

• Collaborate & Advocate: Represent METRO in regional and national forums, bringing back innovative ideas and lessons learned to strengthen our operations.

Why You Should Join METRO

• Make a Difference: Your leadership will directly improve the quality of transit for thousands of riders every day.

• Be Part of a Visionary Team: Work with some of the brightest minds in transportation engineering and collaborate on transformative projects.

• Shape the Future: Help design and implement cutting-edge rail systems that define the next generation of urban mobility.

What You Bring to the Table

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Transportation Engineering, or a related field.

• Experience: At least 15 years of project management and systems engineering experience in rail (light or heavy), including leading multidisciplinary teams.

• Skills: Strong project management expertise, exceptional communication skills, and a proven ability to navigate complex engineering challenges. A Texas Professional Engineer (P.E.) license is preferred but not required.

The Impact You’ll Have

At METRO, we are more than just a transit agency—we are a team dedicated to transforming how people move across our city. As the Director of Systems Engineering, you’ll have the unique opportunity to shape the future of Houston’s transportation network while setting new standards of safety, reliability, and innovation.

Ready to join us and make a lasting impact? Apply today and take the lead in moving Houston forward.