Project Manager - Traction Power

About this role

Benefits:

401(k)

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Paid time off

Vision insurance

Client / Engagement: California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) Location: Sacramento, California (on-site) Salary Range: $140,000-$220,000 (based on experience) Employment Type: Full-Time

Position Summary The Project Manager, Traction Power supports the planning, coordination, and delivery of traction power, medium voltage distribution, and auxiliary power systems for a major High-Speed Rail program. This role supports electrical infrastructure activities throughout design, procurement, installation, testing, commissioning, energization, and operational handover. Responsibilities include coordinating traction power substations, auxiliary power substations, medium voltage distribution networks, utility interconnections, wayside power systems, switching stations, SCADA interfaces, protective relay systems, and associated electrical infrastructure. The position works collaboratively with engineering teams, utility providers, contractors, consultants, regulatory agencies, and multidisciplinary project stakeholders to support the successful integration, approval, and delivery of electrical systems required for safe and reliable railway operations.

What You'll Do

Project Delivery

Support the planning, coordination, and delivery of traction power, medium voltage, and auxiliary power systems throughout design, procurement, installation, testing, commissioning, energization, and operational handover

Assist with monitoring project scope, schedule, budget, risks, and deliverables associated with traction power and electrical infrastructure work packages

Coordinate activities between traction power, overhead contact systems (OCS), signaling, communications, SCADA, stations, maintenance facilities, civil works, track, operations, and maintenance teams

Support coordination with utility providers, electrical suppliers, contractors, consultants, commissioning teams, and system integrators

Assist with project reporting, forecasting, change management, stakeholder coordination, and executive-level communications

Support electrical safety planning, energization readiness, outage coordination, and operational readiness activities

Traction Power Systems

Support the planning, coordination, and integration of traction power systems, including: 25kV AC Traction Power Systems

Traction Power Substations (TPSS)

Switching Stations

Paralleling Stations

Utility Interconnection Facilities

Traction Power SCADA Systems

Protective Relay Systems

Power Transformers

High Voltage and Medium Voltage Switchgear

Grounding and Bonding Systems

OCS Power Supply Interfaces

Traction Return Systems

Power Monitoring Systems

Integrated Railway Power Management Systems

Static Frequency Converters

Coordinate traction power interfaces with OCS, signaling, communications, stations, maintenance facilities, operational control systems, and utility providers

Support the review and coordination of traction power studies, protection schemes, load flow analyses, equipment specifications, and design packages

Coordinate installation, testing, commissioning, and energization activities associated with traction power facilities

Assist with tracking technical deliverables, design reviews, equipment submittals, and system integration requirements

Medium Voltage and Auxiliary Power Systems

Support the coordination and integration of medium voltage distribution and auxiliary power systems, including: Auxiliary Power Substations (APS)

Medium Voltage Distribution Networks

Station Power Systems

Maintenance Facility Power Systems

Wayside Power Distribution Systems

Ring Main Units (RMUs)

Distribution Transformers

Medium Voltage Switchgear

Motor Control Centers (MCCs)

Emergency Power Systems

Standby Generator Systems

Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Systems

Low Voltage Distribution Systems

Electrical Metering Systems

Power Monitoring Systems

Electrical SCADA Interfaces

Coordinate design and installation activities for corridor-wide medium voltage and auxiliary power infrastructure supporting railway operations

Coordinate electrical power interfaces supporting signaling systems, communications systems, train control systems, stations, maintenance facilities, security systems, and operational control centers

Support the coordination of wayside electrical equipment, substations, cable routes, duct banks, equipment shelters, and distribution infrastructure throughout the railway corridor

Assist with tracking electrical system deliverables, equipment installation progress, technical reviews, and integration requirements

Regulatory Approvals, Utilities, and Jurisdictional Coordination

Support utility coordination activities associated with transmission, sub-transmission, and distribution service connections required for railway operations

Coordinate statutory, regulatory, and jurisdictional approval activities associated with traction power substations, auxiliary power substations, medium voltage infrastructure, utility interconnections, switching stations, and electrical facilities

Coordinate with utility providers, regulatory agencies, electrical inspectors, fire authorities, public agencies, railway operators, and local jurisdictions to support required construction, energization, and operational approvals

Assist with utility service applications, interconnection agreements, load studies, protection coordination reviews, outage planning, and energization authorizations

Support permitting, environmental compliance, utility relocations, and regulatory approval activities associated with electrical infrastructure delivery

Coordinate responses to regulatory comments, utility review comments, permit conditions, inspection findings, and outstanding approval requirements

Electrical Infrastructure Installation and Field Coordination

Coordinate installation activities associated with substations, utility interconnections, medium voltage distribution systems, and wayside electrical infrastructure

Support coordination of contractor deliverables, installation progress, quality requirements, safety compliance, and field engineering activities

Coordinate interfaces between civil, structural, electrical, track, systems, and utility teams

Assist with resolving field issues, design changes, Requests for Information (RFIs), utility conflicts, site access constraints, and installation sequencing challenges

Support the coordination of outage requirements, installation readiness plans, energization strategies, and commissioning readiness activities

Participate in field reviews and progress assessments to support compliance with approved designs, specifications, applicable standards, and regulatory requirements

Testing, Commissioning, and Operational Readiness

Support the development and coordination of test plans, commissioning procedures, energization programs, and integrated testing strategies

Coordinate Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), System Integration Testing (SIT), protective relay testing, transformer testing, switchgear testing, SCADA verification, and operational trial activities

Coordinate integrated testing activities with OCS, signaling, communications, SCADA, stations, maintenance facilities, and operational control systems

Assist with tracking system deficiencies, corrective actions, outstanding punch list items, and final system acceptance requirements

Support revenue service demonstration, operational readiness activities, and final operational handover

Coordinate the collection and organization of testing documentation, commissioning records, equipment certifications, and system acceptance deliverables

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, a related engineering discipline, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience

10+ years of experience supporting the delivery of traction power, electrical infrastructure, utility, medium voltage, or railway systems projects

10+ years of project management experience supporting major transportation, utility, energy, or infrastructure programs exceeding $250 million in value

Experience coordinating electrical systems from design through installation, testing, commissioning, energization, and final acceptance

Experience coordinating contractors, utility providers, equipment suppliers, consultants, and multidisciplinary project teams

Strong understanding of traction power systems, medium voltage distribution networks, substations, protective relays, utility interfaces, and railway electrical infrastructure

Experience with project schedules, budgets, technical deliverables, risk tracking, and stakeholder coordination

Preferred Qualifications/ Certifications/ Licensures

Experience supporting High-Speed Rail projects operating above 125 mph (200 km/h)

Experience with California High-Speed Rail, HS2, European High-Speed Rail programs, or comparable large-scale railway programs

Experience with 25kV AC traction power systems

Experience supporting traction power substations, auxiliary power substations, switching stations, and utility interconnections

Experience coordinating medium voltage distribution and auxiliary power systems supporting railway operations

Experience with wayside electrical infrastructure and corridor-wide power distribution systems

Experience with electrical SCADA systems, power monitoring systems, and integrated railway power management systems

Experience coordinating utility interfaces, jurisdictional approvals, statutory requirements, and regulatory compliance activities

Experience supporting substation installation, wayside electrical equipment integration, energization planning, and commissioning programs

Project Management Professional (PMP), PRINCE2, Professional Engineer (PE), or comparable project management or engineering certification

Experience supporting integrated testing, revenue service demonstration, and entry into revenue service activities

Experience supporting budget and schedule management and accountability on contracts valued at $100 million or greater

Jaquith Consulting Group is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.