Senior Transportation Engineer - QA

Job Description

VTA’s Engineering and Program Delivery (EPD) Division is seeking a Senior Transportation Engineer for the Quality Assurance (QA) Group under the Technical Services Department.

Quality Assurance Group

The QA Group supports all capital improvement programs for the Division during planning, design, procurement, construction and closeout phases of highway, rail, transit and facilities projects. As a Senior Transportation Engineer, you will play an important role in ensuring delivery of quality products and services for the Division. It is the responsibility of the QA Group to ensure the development of each project’s Contract-specific Quality Management Plan (CQMP) and to conduct audits and surveillances, based on the approved CQMPs, to monitor and assure effective implementation. Strong interpersonal and communication skills to work with VTA staff, consultants and contractors, attention to detail and ability to lead the QA team with day-to-day activities are desirable skill sets.

What You'll Be Doing

Definition

Under direction, to have charge of varied and difficult engineering work involving the supervision of a professional transportation engineering staff engaged in a variety of activities, such as the planning and design of transportation systems and facilities, the operation of transit systems, special studies or services, and other transportation projects.

The Ideal Candidate

• Possesses a Professional Engineer (PE) license from the State of California with an emphasis in transportation engineering (strongly desired at the time of application, but required at the time of employment).
• Has at least five years of professional engineering experience in transportation, including supervision of professional transportation engineering staff.
• Demonstrates direct experience in implementing and managing quality control and/or quality assurance activities under a Quality Assurance Program (essential).
• Brings a strong background in designing capital improvement projects related to highway, rail, transit, and/or facilities projects, with the ability to provide actionable findings and resolve noncompliance issues (highly desirable).
  
  

Responsibilities

In addition to these qualifications, the successful candidate will also have the ability to take on management, administrative, and supervisory responsibilities that may include the following typical tasks:

• Providing quality provisions for design and construction contracts, including review of scope of services and construction contract packages.
• Reviewing and approving design and construction Contract-specific Quality Management Plans (CQMPs).
• Leading the execution of audits and surveillance of CQMPs (schedules, plans, reports, findings/noncompliance resolutions).
• Supervising professional transportation engineering staff by reviewing work products, assigning work, providing training, and completing performance evaluations.
• Performing other duties associated with a Senior Transportation Engineer position, including updating, managing, and implementing the Division’s Quality Assurance Program.
  
  

About VTA

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority employs more than 2,000 people dedicated to providing solutions that move Silicon Valley. Unique among transportation organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area, VTA is Santa Clara County’s authority for transit development and operations (light rail and bus), congestion management, transportation-related funding, highway design and construction, real estate and transit-oriented development, and bicycle and pedestrian planning. With local, state, and federal partners, VTA works to innovate the way Silicon Valley moves and provide mobility solutions for all.

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district that provides sustainable, accessible, community-focused transportation options that are innovative, environmentally responsible, and promote the vitality of our region.

VTA provides bus, light rail, and paratransit services, as well as participates as a funding partner in regional rail service including Caltrain, Capitol Corridor, and the Altamont Corridor Express.

As the county’s congestion management agency, VTA is responsible for countywide transportation planning, including congestion management, design and construction of specific highway, pedestrian, and bicycle improvement projects, as well as promotion of transit oriented development.

VTA provides these services throughout the county, including Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga and Sunnyvale. VTA continually builds partnerships to deliver transportation solutions that meet the evolving mobility needs of Santa Clara County.

As we continue to implement our VTA Forward Plan, we aim to strengthen and increase our workforce to take on future opportunities and challenges by elevating our people and our services.

For more information about our VTA Forward Plan, visit: https://www.vta.org/VTAForward

Family-Friendly Workplace Certification Program (FFWCP)

The County of Santa Clara FFWCP recognizes VTA as a business that creates supportive workplaces for employees and their families.

Family-friendly workplaces improve health outcomes and job satisfaction for employees and increase work productivity and retention for employers. Employers can create a family-friendly workplace by meeting and exceeding state and federal employment laws relating to parental leave, lactation accommodation, and work/family balance.

Essential Job Functions

Typical Tasks

• Supervises and directs projects in connection with the planning, design, construction, maintenance and operation of transportation systems including fixed guideways, highway transit, bicycle, airport, and other facilities;
• Supervises the design function, structural analyses and field surveys;
• Makes traffic engineering studies;
• Conducts transit planning and supervises the scheduling of transit operations;
• Supervises the preparation specifications and related documents used in advertising transportation projects for bids;
• Coordinates technical information exchanges with officials of other governmental jurisdictions, other transportation specialists and the public;
• Coordinates with utilities and land and water companies in matters of relocation and rights-of-ways;
• Coordinates legal assistance in the preparation of resolutions, agreements and other legal documents;
• Conducts special studies, and performs related work as required.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

Employment Standards

Training and experience equivalent to graduation from college with major work in engineering and five years professional engineering experience on transportation systems or projects, including assignments which provided the opportunity to demonstrate supervisory abilities.

Registration as a professional engineer in the State of California in a field related to transportation engineering at the time of appointment.

Supplemental Information

Knowledge Of

• Methods, materials and equipment used in the design, construction and operation of transportation systems and facilities;
• Transportation planning principles and the design and operation of public transit systems, computer model simulation techniques;
• Principles and practices of structural engineering;
• Principles of supervision and training.
  
  

Ability To

• Plan, direct and supervise the work of others;
• Analyze engineering problems and work out effective solutions;
• Evaluate and monitor consultant performance;
• Make accurate engineering computations;
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
  
  

General Application Instructions

Please read this job announcement in its entirety before applying. We recommend printing or saving a copy for future reference.

To be considered, applications must be submitted online through the Human Resources department by the posted deadline. If the job posting is listed as “continuous,” we encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as the posting may close without prior notice. Once your application is submitted, you will receive an immediate email confirmation.

Important: Only online applications will be accepted for this recruitment. We do not accept paper applications, resumes, Job Interest Notification Cards, or incomplete/unsubmitted applications in place of a fully completed application.

Communication & Contact Information

All updates regarding your application—including notices for testing and interviews—will be sent via email. Be sure to select email as your preferred method of communication and maintain a valid, up-to-date email address. Applicants are also responsible for keeping their phone numbers and mailing addresses current in their online profiles.

Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to provide individual updates. Please check your application status through your online account. For technical support, contact NEOGOV at (855) 524-5627, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (PST), excluding holidays.

Application Review & Processing

All current and prior relevant work experience—including experience with VTA—must be fully detailed in the Work Experience section of your application. Entries such as “see resume” are not acceptable. Incomplete or improperly completed applications may be rejected, even if you meet the minimum qualifications.

While you are welcome to upload a resume, it does not substitute for completing the online application in full. Be sure that your application accurately reflects the education and experience necessary for the position.

Applications are reviewed throughout the recruitment process to determine whether candidates meet the minimum qualifications. Meeting these minimums or advancing through any stage does not guarantee further consideration. Any misrepresentation or falsification of qualifications, experience, education, or training may result in disqualification and/or exclusion from future employment opportunities with VTA.

This classification is represented by Transportation Authority Engineers and Architects Association (TAEA). Wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment are governed by the applicable collective bargaining agreement between VTA and the union.

Tentative Examinations

Oral Panel: Week of January 5 or 12, 2026

Conditions of Employment

Final candidates must successfully complete a Livescan background check, reference checks, verification of education or certifications, and a criminal history review before appointment.

For safety sensitive positions, VTA requires all safety-sensitive positions to have a 6-month DOT physical clearance. Obtained at the time of preboarding from a VTA-contracted Concentra Location.

Eligibility List

The established Eligible List from this recruitment will be used to fill the current vacancies and additional vacancies that may occur. Eligible Lists typically remain in effect for six (6) months. However, Human Resources may abolish Eligible Lists at any time during the six (6) month period. Human Resources may extend eligible Lists for up to two (2) years. Eligible Lists may be used for more than one recruitment.

Americans with Disabilities Act Accommodations

VTA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities in the recruitment and examination process. To request an accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department at (408) 321-5575 or email [email protected] at least five business days before the test.

Equal Employment Opportunity

VTA is an equal employment opportunity employer. VTA does not and will not tolerate discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age, ancestry, color, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information, national, origin, immigration status, political affiliation, race, religion, creed, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, medical condition, disabled veteran or veteran status, etc.

VTA offers a generous benefit package including: vision care, a choice of health plans, dental coverage, an employee assistance program, life insurance, and liberal holiday, vacation, and sick leave. A credit union and deferred compensation are also available to employees at their option. Detailed information on VTA's benefits may be found here: https://app.strivebenefits.com/santa-clara-valley-transportation-authority

As defined by the California Public Employees' Pension Reform Act (PEPRA):

• Classic Members' retirement benefit formula is 2% @55.
• New Members' retirement benefit formula is 2% @62.
  
  

All Classic AFSCME, SEIU, TAEA, and Non-Rep employees hired on or after 01/09/2012 pay 7.0% of salary toward the required employee contribution to PERS.

All New/PEPRA AFSCME, SEIU, TAEA, and Non-Rep employees pay 8.0% of salary toward the required employee contribution to PERS.

Social Security taxes will be deducted from each employee's bi-weekly salary.

01

Before submitting your application, please attach a copy of your unofficial transcript or diploma. If your education was completed outside the U.S., include an equivalency evaluation and certified translation.

• YES – I have attached the required document(s).
• NO – I have not attached the required document(s).
  
  

02

Registration as a professional engineer in the State of California in a field related to transportation engineering is required at the time of appointment. Are you currently registered as a professional engineer in the State of California in a field related to transportation engineer?

• Yes
• No
  
  

03

If you responded “No” to the question above, please indicate when you expect to obtain your Professional Engineer license. If you currently possess your Professional Engineer license, please indicate “N/A” and ensure that your license information is included in the Certificates and Licenses section of your application.

04

Explain your interest in working as a Senior Transportation Engineer in Quality Assurance. What experience and skills do you have that make you a good candidate for this position?

05

Describe your experience in performing quality control during design or construction. What was your role? What steps did you take to accomplish the task? How did you resolve any issues?

06

Describe your experience in designing transportation-related capital improvement projects. Include the types of projects, your specific roles and responsibilities, and the scale/complexity of the work. In addition, please specify what portion of the construction documents you were particularly responsible for.

07

Give an example of your experience supervising and mentoring professional engineering staff. How did you provide guidance, assign work, and support their professional development?

• Required Question