
Deputy Director of Transit Technology, Rail
Deputy Director of Transit Technology, Rail
Job Description
At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA’s Core Values are built around safety, service, equity, sustainability, and culture. Each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.
Job Summary
The Deputy Director of Rail Technology will manage, operate, and maintain systems that monitor rail transit service, provide dispatching tools to operations staff, and are foundational to real-time service information for MBTA riders. They are responsible for ensuring that the MBTA is using high-quality, modern tools to empower front-line operations staff and manage transit service in real-time.
This position reports to and works closely with the Senior Director of Transit Technology. Key responsibilities include service management tools for front-line staff (e.g., the Glides and Orbit dispatch apps), data integration across multiple adjacent systems (e.g., train control, schedules, asset management, rider information), and coordination of capital projects to modernize rail service technology. The Deputy Director coordinates closely with other Technology Innovation staff and contractors, as well as staff in MBTA Operations, Plans & Schedules, Vehicle Engineering, Information Technology, and others on regular system operations and aligns with strategic MBTA initiatives.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Responsible for service management systems used by rail transit dispatchers, field supervisors, motorpersons, and other operations staff to deliver high-quality transit service. These tools are sometimes called Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) or Computer-Aided Dispatch / Automated Vehicle Location (CAD/AVL) systems. They allow for real-time monitoring, decision-making, and communication
- Establishes processes to ensure those systems meet a high standard for quality, availability, user support, security, modularity, and other best practices
- Ensure systems respond to evolving operational needs of the MBTA
- Decide how systems will be maintained and delivered (e.g., in-house technology staff, procurements)
- Coordinates with other departments' capital projects MBTA-wide to deliver a maintainable, efficient, and effective technology architecture for these systems
Strategic Implementation
- Provide input into MBTA and departmental strategic planning processes to ensure the long-term quality of technology for MBTA riders and operations staff
- Review artifacts of strategic planning, to help refine them and identify unrealistic goals
- Help cross-functional teams think and act strategically towards goals and outcomes
- Proactively consider risks to team goals and outcomes, and escalate them as necessary
- Identify and prioritize opportunities to serve emergent MBTA and stakeholder-objectives
Stakeholders
- Maintain regular meetings and workflows with key program stakeholders
- Identify risks to stakeholder relationships and the need for investments in relationship-building
- Facilitate collaboration between teams and their stakeholders, balancing a positive vision with a strategic lens.
- Represents the MBTA with external stakeholders (e.g., public, private, academic, and other companies/institutions) to ensure the Authority is aligned with and driving industry best practices in the rapidly evolving transportation technology space
Vendor Management
- Hold vendors accountable to performance expectations, including by monitoring performance data and organizing relevant meetings
- Ensure use of vendors aligns with MBTA priorities, architecture, and strategy
- Review and approve vendor invoices as well as other routine documents and requests
Finance & Procurement
- Create and communicates analyses and artifacts that are inputs into both cyclical and one-off financial requests
- Manage routine finance processes such as capital forecasting
- Work with departmental internal ops team to manage procurement processes, including drafting RFIs/RFPs, creating evaluation criteria, and decision-making for vendor selection.
People Operations
- Draft job analyses and job descriptions for program staff (e.g., project managers, program managers)
- Provide inputs into job requirements for other functions working within the program (e.g., software engineers, designers, and product managers)
- Organize hiring panels, interview processes and facilitate decision-making about candidate selection
- Identify staffing gaps or needs for the outcomes owned by the program
- Managing or assist in onboarding of new team members
- Administer performance review processes for program staff
- Responds to each inquiry, whether from a customer, vendor, or co-workers in a professional and courteous manner.
- Upholds the right and interest of the Authority while building an effective relationship with employees.
- Assists in the management of a workforce by ensuring the fair and consistent application and strict adherence to the rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable) and policies of the Authority including the EEO, Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment and Anti-Retaliation policies.
- Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned
- Available on-call to respond to emergencies outside of normal business hours (as part of a rotating on-call schedule)
- As a member of TID leadership, this role is responsible for leading, practicing and upholding TID's working agreements, which are essential to the department's success.
Additional responsibilities may include focus on one or more departments or locations. See applicable addendum for department or location specific functions.
Minimum Requirements & Qualifications
- Five (5) years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience in Technology, Transportation Operations, and/or Transportation Scheduling and Planning.
- One (1) year of leadership experience
- Experience with coding, scripting, or databases.
- Experience working with train control, CAD/AVL, ITS, or other transit dispatching or real-time technology
- Experience with product or project management practices in a technology company or civic technology (e.g., public sector digital team) context
- Experience managing vendors or outside consultants
- Experience with GTFS, real-time APIs, or other open mobility data standards
Preferred Experience and Required Skills
- Master's degree in Transportation Planning, Computer Science, Engineering, Economics, Urban Planning, Data Science, Public Administration, or a related field
- Public procurement experience
- Consulting or management experience
Job Conditions
- Adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable) and policies of the MBTA including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
- Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, background screening, and the MBTA's medical requirements, including a physical examination and drug and alcohol screening.
- Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting, including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
Supervision
- Direct supervision of up to 5 employees or contractors.
- Indirect supervision of up to 15 employees or contractors who work on systems or teams under the responsibility of the Deputy Director.
Minimum Education
- A Bachelor degree or equivalent from an accredited institution in Transportation Planning, Computer Science, Engineering, Economics, Urban Planning, Data Science, Public Administration, or a related field.
Physical Demands and Working Conditions
- The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Available to work as per assignment by the MBTA twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as directed by supervisory staff for severe weather conditions, emergencies or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service
Substitutions Include
- A High School Diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor's degree requirement.
- An associate degree from an accredited institution and additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor's degree requirement.
- A master's degree in a related subject may substitute for two (2) years of general experience.
- A nationally recognized certification, or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes for one year of experience
Job Conditions:
- Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
- Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program.
- Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
- Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
- Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required).
- Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
- Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
- Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
- Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including a physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
- Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
- Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op. Additionally, interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting their positions and throughout the duration of their program.
Disclaimers and Definitions:
- General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.
- Application Completion: It is each applicant’s responsibility to ensure application details are entered completely and correctly, including updated work and education histories (past and current). Incomplete applications may not be considered. Attachments do not substitute for application fields. Recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history.
- Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.
- Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.
- Work Eligibility: Although the MBTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, all employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer and on an unrestricted basis (the MBTA does not sponsor non-US citizens). However, if you have an unrestricted work authorization, or sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply for open positions. International students taking part in CPT / STEM / OPT programs through a university are eligible for internships and co-ops with the MBTA, but a valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number are required prior to starting work. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
- Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one-time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview. In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.
- Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.
- On-call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.
- Essential / Emergency Staff: During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.
- ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTA's ADA Unit at 617-222-5751 or hradaaa@mbta.com.
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. For terms, descriptions, and definitions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, veteran status, and immediate family members that you may find on the application form, please visit mbta.com/careers-app-definitions.
- Intern / Co-Op / Fellow Benefits: Employees taking part in an internship, co-op, or fellowship at the MBTA are eligible to receive accrued paid sick leave as well as a monthly transportation pass, based on city from which the employee commutes to work, at no cost. However, no additional benefits are currently offered for interns, co-ops, or fellows.
At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA’s Core Values are built around safety, service, equity, sustainability, and culture. Each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.
Job Summary
The Deputy Director of Rail Technology will manage, operate, and maintain systems that monitor rail transit service, provide dispatching tools to operations staff, and are foundational to real-time service information for MBTA riders. They are responsible for ensuring that the MBTA is using high-quality, modern tools to empower front-line operations staff and manage transit service in real-time.
This position reports to and works closely with the Senior Director of Transit Technology. Key responsibilities include service management tools for front-line staff (e.g., the Glides and Orbit dispatch apps), data integration across multiple adjacent systems (e.g., train control, schedules, asset management, rider information), and coordination of capital projects to modernize rail service technology. The Deputy Director coordinates closely with other Technology Innovation staff and contractors, as well as staff in MBTA Operations, Plans & Schedules, Vehicle Engineering, Information Technology, and others on regular system operations and aligns with strategic MBTA initiatives.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Responsible for service management systems used by rail transit dispatchers, field supervisors, motorpersons, and other operations staff to deliver high-quality transit service. These tools are sometimes called Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) or Computer-Aided Dispatch / Automated Vehicle Location (CAD/AVL) systems. They allow for real-time monitoring, decision-making, and communication
- Establishes processes to ensure those systems meet a high standard for quality, availability, user support, security, modularity, and other best practices
- Ensure systems respond to evolving operational needs of the MBTA
- Decide how systems will be maintained and delivered (e.g., in-house technology staff, procurements)
- Coordinates with other departments' capital projects MBTA-wide to deliver a maintainable, efficient, and effective technology architecture for these systems
Strategic Implementation
- Provide input into MBTA and departmental strategic planning processes to ensure the long-term quality of technology for MBTA riders and operations staff
- Review artifacts of strategic planning, to help refine them and identify unrealistic goals
- Help cross-functional teams think and act strategically towards goals and outcomes
- Proactively consider risks to team goals and outcomes, and escalate them as necessary
- Identify and prioritize opportunities to serve emergent MBTA and stakeholder-objectives
Stakeholders
- Maintain regular meetings and workflows with key program stakeholders
- Identify risks to stakeholder relationships and the need for investments in relationship-building
- Facilitate collaboration between teams and their stakeholders, balancing a positive vision with a strategic lens.
- Represents the MBTA with external stakeholders (e.g., public, private, academic, and other companies/institutions) to ensure the Authority is aligned with and driving industry best practices in the rapidly evolving transportation technology space
Vendor Management
- Hold vendors accountable to performance expectations, including by monitoring performance data and organizing relevant meetings
- Ensure use of vendors aligns with MBTA priorities, architecture, and strategy
- Review and approve vendor invoices as well as other routine documents and requests
Finance & Procurement
- Create and communicates analyses and artifacts that are inputs into both cyclical and one-off financial requests
- Manage routine finance processes such as capital forecasting
- Work with departmental internal ops team to manage procurement processes, including drafting RFIs/RFPs, creating evaluation criteria, and decision-making for vendor selection.
People Operations
- Draft job analyses and job descriptions for program staff (e.g., project managers, program managers)
- Provide inputs into job requirements for other functions working within the program (e.g., software engineers, designers, and product managers)
- Organize hiring panels, interview processes and facilitate decision-making about candidate selection
- Identify staffing gaps or needs for the outcomes owned by the program
- Managing or assist in onboarding of new team members
- Administer performance review processes for program staff
- Responds to each inquiry, whether from a customer, vendor, or co-workers in a professional and courteous manner.
- Upholds the right and interest of the Authority while building an effective relationship with employees.
- Assists in the management of a workforce by ensuring the fair and consistent application and strict adherence to the rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable) and policies of the Authority including the EEO, Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment and Anti-Retaliation policies.
- Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned
- Available on-call to respond to emergencies outside of normal business hours (as part of a rotating on-call schedule)
- As a member of TID leadership, this role is responsible for leading, practicing and upholding TID's working agreements, which are essential to the department's success.
Additional responsibilities may include focus on one or more departments or locations. See applicable addendum for department or location specific functions.
Minimum Requirements & Qualifications
- Five (5) years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience in Technology, Transportation Operations, and/or Transportation Scheduling and Planning.
- One (1) year of leadership experience
- Experience with coding, scripting, or databases.
- Experience working with train control, CAD/AVL, ITS, or other transit dispatching or real-time technology
- Experience with product or project management practices in a technology company or civic technology (e.g., public sector digital team) context
- Experience managing vendors or outside consultants
- Experience with GTFS, real-time APIs, or other open mobility data standards
Preferred Experience and Required Skills
- Master's degree in Transportation Planning, Computer Science, Engineering, Economics, Urban Planning, Data Science, Public Administration, or a related field
- Public procurement experience
- Consulting or management experience
Job Conditions
- Adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable) and policies of the MBTA including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
- Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, background screening, and the MBTA's medical requirements, including a physical examination and drug and alcohol screening.
- Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting, including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
Supervision
- Direct supervision of up to 5 employees or contractors.
- Indirect supervision of up to 15 employees or contractors who work on systems or teams under the responsibility of the Deputy Director.
Minimum Education
- A Bachelor degree or equivalent from an accredited institution in Transportation Planning, Computer Science, Engineering, Economics, Urban Planning, Data Science, Public Administration, or a related field.
Physical Demands and Working Conditions
- The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Available to work as per assignment by the MBTA twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as directed by supervisory staff for severe weather conditions, emergencies or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service
Substitutions Include
- A High School Diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor's degree requirement.
- An associate degree from an accredited institution and additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor's degree requirement.
- A master's degree in a related subject may substitute for two (2) years of general experience.
- A nationally recognized certification, or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes for one year of experience
Job Conditions:
- Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
- Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program.
- Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
- Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
- Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required).
- Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
- Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
- Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
- Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including a physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
- Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
- Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op. Additionally, interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting their positions and throughout the duration of their program.
Disclaimers and Definitions:
- General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.
- Application Completion: It is each applicant’s responsibility to ensure application details are entered completely and correctly, including updated work and education histories (past and current). Incomplete applications may not be considered. Attachments do not substitute for application fields. Recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history.
- Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.
- Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.
- Work Eligibility: Although the MBTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, all employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer and on an unrestricted basis (the MBTA does not sponsor non-US citizens). However, if you have an unrestricted work authorization, or sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply for open positions. International students taking part in CPT / STEM / OPT programs through a university are eligible for internships and co-ops with the MBTA, but a valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number are required prior to starting work. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
- Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one-time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview. In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.
- Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.
- On-call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.
- Essential / Emergency Staff: During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.
- ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTA's ADA Unit at 617-222-5751 or hradaaa@mbta.com.
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. For terms, descriptions, and definitions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, veteran status, and immediate family members that you may find on the application form, please visit mbta.com/careers-app-definitions.
- Intern / Co-Op / Fellow Benefits: Employees taking part in an internship, co-op, or fellowship at the MBTA are eligible to receive accrued paid sick leave as well as a monthly transportation pass, based on city from which the employee commutes to work, at no cost. However, no additional benefits are currently offered for interns, co-ops, or fellows.
About Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, often referred to as the MBTA or simply The T, is the public operator of most bus, subway, commuter rail and ferry systems in the greater Boston, Massachusetts, area.
The MBTA is the largest transit provider in New England, and the fifth largest in the country.
The MBTA directly operates or contracts out for service using eight different modes: heavy rail, light rail, bus rapid transit, local/express bus, trackless trolley, commuter rail, commuter boat, and paratransit.
In Boston, 55% of all work trips and 42% of all trips into downtown are made by transit.
The MBTA district is made up of 175 communities with a total population of 4.7 million.
Almost three-quarters of all Massachusetts residents live within the MBTA service area.
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) would like you to finish the application on their website.
