Senior Subject Matter Expert (Rail Facilities/Workstream Manager)

About the role

DB E.C.O. North America (with "E.C.O." representing " E ngineering, C onsulting and O perations") offers specialized rail and transit consultancy services to public agencies, passenger and freight railroads. DB E.C.O. North America is part of the DB E.C.O. Group and leverages Deutsche Bahn's global expertise to advance mobility and rail transportation across the U.S. and Canada.

Their cross-disciplinary team collaborates closely with clients to innovate their portfolios and elevate business performance. With a focus on sustainability, safety, and operational excellence, they strive to enhance the customer experience, increase rail usage, and "Transform The Future Of Mobility."

• Department: Consulting, Infrastructure Domain
• Reports to: Project Director
• Location: Sacramento, CA (In-person)

Tasks & Responsibilities

• 1. Facility Planning and Design Review
• Lead the operational and technical review of railway facility designs at various stages of development.
• Review layouts, functional requirements, technical specifications, and design submissions for maintenance depots, workshops, OCCs, stabling yards, and associated facilities.
• Assess facility designs against operational workflows, maintenance processes, equipment movements, staffing requirements, safety, accessibility, and future capacity needs.
• Identify design deficiencies, operational risks, and opportunities to improve functionality, maintainability, and lifecycle efficiency.
• Provide practical recommendations based on international railway industry experience and established best practices.
• Operational Requirements and Integration
• Translate railway operations and maintenance concepts into functional and technical facility requirements.
• Ensure alignment between facility designs and the broader Concept of Operations, Concept of Maintenance, rolling stock characteristics, and operational readiness requirements.
• Coordinate operational interfaces between facilities, rolling stock, infrastructure, railway systems, and maintenance equipment.
• Provide operational input into facility procurement strategies, technical specifications, contractor requirements, and construction planning.
• Support the assessment of design alternatives, considering operational effectiveness, maintainability, constructability, and whole-life costs.
• Workstream and SME Management
• Lead and coordinate a small multidisciplinary team of facility-related SMEs.
• Plan and assign technical reviews, consolidate specialist comments, and ensure timely, consistent, and technically sound deliverables.
• Maintain oversight of review schedules, priorities, open issues, and technical decisions.
• Manage design comment registers and track the resolution of operational and maintenance-related comments.
• Coordinate with internal project teams, engineering and delivery teams, designers, contractors, and other consultants.
• Represent the facilities workstream in technical meetings, design workshops, and interface discussions.
• Report workstream progress, key risks, and matters requiring management decisions to the Project Director.
• Procurement, Construction, and Operational Readiness
• Provide technical and operational advice during facility procurement, design development, and construction.
• Review contractor proposals and technical submissions for compliance with operational requirements.
• Support resolution of design and construction interface issues affecting future railway operations.
• Contribute to facility commissioning, handover, and operational readiness planning.
• Ensure that operational and maintenance requirements remain adequately addressed throughout the project lifecycle

Requirements

• Degree in Engineering, Railway Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Architecture, or a related technical discipline.
• Typically 10-15 years of relevant professional experience in railway operations, maintenance facilities, facility engineering, or rail infrastructure delivery.
• Demonstrated experience in the planning, design, development, or operational management of railway maintenance depots, workshops, OCCs, or comparable facilities.
• Strong understanding of railway operations, rolling stock maintenance processes, and associated facility requirements.
• Proven ability to review engineering designs and technical specifications from an operational and maintenance perspective.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary technical teams and managing complex design interfaces.
• Strong organizational, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound technical judgment, and provide clear, actionable recommendations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with high-speed rail, intercity passenger rail, or major urban rail systems.
• Experience across multiple project phases, from concept design through procurement, construction, commissioning, and operational handover.
• Familiarity with U.S. railway regulations, standards, and relevant industry practices.
• Previous involvement in major railway programs with multiple design consultants, contractors, and stakeholders.
• Experience with maintenance facility equipment, depot logistics, OCC functional arrangements, and lifecycle asset management.
• International railway project experience, particularly in applying lessons learned from operational railway systems to new infrastructure projects.

Reporting and Interfaces

• The position reports to the Project Director and works closely with railway operations, maintenance, rolling stock, systems engineering, and operational readiness teams, as well as relevant clients, designers, contractors, and other project stakeholders.
• The role is responsible for ensuring the quality, coordination, and timely delivery of operational facility reviews and recommendations. Detailed facility designs remain the responsibility of the respective designers and design authorities.

Working Conditions and Travel

Minimal overnight travel by land and air.

Benefits

Quick overview of our U.S. Health & Wellness Benefits:

• Medical Insurance: Multiple options - Low to High Deductible plans
• Dental & Vision
• Health Savings & Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life & AD&D Insurance, Short-term, and Long-term Disability: Company-paid
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for employees and their household members
• Commuter Benefits: Use tax-free money to pay for eligible transit and parking expenses (Train, subway, bus, ferry, parking).
• Parental Paid Leave
• Supplemental Coverage: Optional accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity plans with wellness benefits.
• Retirement Savings (401k) with company safe harbor contributions
• Vacation & Holidays: Competitive time off plus 11 paid company holidays

• In addition to federal law requirements. DB E.C.O North America, Inc. complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.
• In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Benefits

Quick overview of our Canada Health & Wellness Benefits:

We offer a comprehensive, company-paid benefits program for employees and their eligible dependents. This includes Basic Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), Dependent Life Insurance, Long-Term Disability, extended Health and Dental coverage, and access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

• In addition, the Company supports your long-term financial well-being by subsidizing a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) of your choice with a contribution equal to 5% of your basic salary.
• We also provide competitive vacation time along with 11 paid company holidays, so you have the time you need to rest, recharge, and enjoy life outside of work.