Responsible for assisting in and performing mechanical failure analysis, Code of Federal Regulations/Railroad Rule Compliance, accident reconstruction, personal injury, and property loss investigations related to railroads and supporting industries, as well as preparing technical reports for clients. Will assist in planning, managing, and coordinating activities for assigned projects to ensure that goals/objectives of projects are accomplished within prescribed time frame and funding parameters by performing the following duties personally or with the assistance of Staff Consultants, Senior Staff Consultants, and/or Senior Consultants. Willingness to grow in consulting and subject matter expertise, including industry-specific committee involvement as well as litigation support, including potential testimony in depositions and trials.

Key Responsibilities:

• Prepare and review project proposals or plans to determine time frame, funding limitations, appropriate procedures to accomplish the project tasks, staffing requirements, and allotment of available resources to various phases of the project.
• Confers with project team members to outline work plan and to assist in performing duties, responsibilities, and scope of authority.
• Directs and coordinates activities with project personnel to ensure projects are progressing on schedule and within prescribed budgets.
• Performs field inspections of derailments/rail incidents, cars and locomotives, and railway facilities.
• Prepares technical, project related reports for clients as required.
• Confers with project personnel to provide technical advice and resolve problems.
• Prepares and conducts well-developed and well-prepared client presentations and technical conference presentations.
• Works in SME/Expert capacity as industry and litigation expert, providing presentations and possible deposition and/or trial testimony.

Experience Requirements:

• Greater than 15 years of experience in hands-on Performing field investigations, vehicle inspections, report writing and preparations, and extensive familiarity with railroad mechanical disciplines. Additional familiarity with railroad operating and engineering disciplines is desirable.
• Hands-on experience in Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regulatory compliance with 49 CFR Parts 200-299, generally, and specifically Part 215, Part 221, Part 223, Part 229, Part 231, Part 232.
• Experience with railcar and/or locomotive design, maintenance, and/or inspection.
• Hands-on experience in railroad accident/incident investigation, including report preparation.
• Experience as a witness with a proven track record of courtroom testimony as fact and/or expert witness is preferred

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited University; mechanical or materials/metallurgical engineering preferred
• Master’s degree a plus.
• Other degrees may be considered based on actual railroad practical application, management, or other relevant experience such as hands-on railroad mechanical experience.

Computer Skills:

• Intermediate/advanced skills in Microsoft Office suite and Internet software skills.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• PE license (or ability to obtain PE licensing) preferred but not mandatory depending on experience.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job the employee will be required to stand, work sometimes in confined spaces such as inspection pits, walk on uneven work surfaces including railroad ballast and in shop facilities, be on elevated areas such as railcars and locomotives, climb ladders, sit, and occasionally lift up to 50#.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that an employee will be exposed to while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job, while performing inspections in rail yard and road environments, exterior, interior, along with typical office-related work. The work will involve performing these duties out of doors from time to time in extreme and varied climate conditions.

It is the policy of ESI, as an equal opportunity employer, to attract and retain the best qualified individuals available, without regard to race/ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status. ESI is committed to recruiting, hiring, and promoting people with disabilities, as well as veterans. If you need assistance with completing the electronic application, please email your request to employment@engsys.com