Project Manager, Overhead Contact System

Reporting to the Rail Systems Lead, the Project Manager is accountable for scope, schedule, budget, risk, contractor performance, and delivery milestones across OCS work packages, while coordinating interfaces with traction power, signaling, communications, track, structures, stations, maintenance facilities, operations, and maintenance. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

Company Description

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There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

AECOM is seeking a Project Manager, Overhead Contact System, for one of our offices in Sacramento, CA. This is an onsite role.

JOB SUMMARY: 

The Project Manager, Overhead Contact System (OCS), oversees the delivery of 25kV AC railway electrification infrastructure on a major transportation infrastructure project, from design through procurement, installation, testing, commissioning, energization, and operational handover. The position covers catenary systems, registration equipment, cantilever assemblies, auto-tensioning systems, sectioning and paralleling facilities, switching infrastructure, neutral sections and overlap zones, grounding and bonding, traction return systems, and OCS monitoring. Reporting to the Rail Systems Lead, the Project Manager is accountable for scope, schedule, budget, risk, contractor performance, and delivery milestones across OCS work packages, while coordinating interfaces with traction power, signaling, communications, track, structures, stations, maintenance facilities, operations, and maintenance. The position also coordinates utility and regulatory approvals, outage planning, electrical safety, energization readiness, and integrated testing, with travel of approximately 25–50% along the project alignment throughout the Central Valley, California.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support the delivery of OCS systems throughout design, procurement, construction, testing, commissioning, energization, and operational handover
• Maintain accountability for project scope, schedule, budget, risk management, contractor performance, and delivery milestones for OCS work packages
• Coordinate delivery activities between traction power, signaling, communications, track, structures, stations, maintenance facilities, operations, and maintenance teams
• Support delivery of catenary systems, contact and messenger wire systems, cantilever assemblies, registration equipment, and auto-tensioning systems
• Support delivery of sectioning and paralleling facilities, switching infrastructure, neutral sections, overlap zones, grounding and bonding systems, traction return systems, and OCS monitoring systems
• Provide leadership for railway electrical safety, outage planning, energization readiness, and operational readiness programs
• Coordinate with utility providers, railroad operators, local jurisdictions, regulators, and Authorities Having Jurisdiction
• Support approval processes associated with energization, railway operations, and electrification infrastructure
• Coordinate responses to technical reviews, stakeholder comments, and system acceptance requirements
• Support technical oversight of contractor installation activities and system implementation
• Coordinate resolution of technical issues, field changes, interface challenges, and construction constraints
• Review installation readiness, testing readiness, and energization readiness across OCS work packages
• Lead execution of Factory Acceptance Testing, Site Acceptance Testing, integrated testing, dynamic testing, and energization programs
• Coordinate testing interfaces with traction power, signaling, communications, rolling stock, and operations systems
• Support defect resolution, punch-list closure, operational readiness, and entry into revenue service
• Support executive reporting, forecasting, change management, stakeholder engagement, and governance activities

Qualifications

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: 

• BA/BS + 8 years of relevant experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Railway Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related engineering discipline, or demonstrable on-the-job work experience
• Demonstrated experience delivering 25kV AC OCS systems from design through commissioning and operational service
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams, contractors, suppliers, and consultants
• Strong working knowledge of railway electrification systems, OCS interfaces, grounding and bonding, traction return systems, and railway operations
• Experience coordinating OCS delivery with traction power, signaling, track, structures, and rolling stock disciplines
• Experience leading outage planning, energization readiness, and railway electrical safety programs
• Experience managing approvals with utility providers, railroad operators, regulators, and Authorities Having Jurisdiction
• Experience leading Factory Acceptance Testing, Site Acceptance Testing, integrated testing, and energization programs
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills
• Experience on high-speed rail projects operating above 125 mph (200 km/h)
• Experience delivering high-speed catenary systems and electrification infrastructure
• Experience with EN 50119, AREMA, FRA, and railway electrification standards
• Experience supporting dynamic testing and pantograph-catenary interaction testing
• Experience supporting entry into revenue service on an electrified passenger railway
• Experience overseeing contracts exceeding $250 million
• PE, PMP, CEng, APM, or equivalent professional certification
• Experience with OCS monitoring systems and electrification asset condition management
• At least ten (10) years of experience delivering railway electrification or OCS infrastructure projects
• At least ten (10) years of project management experience on transportation, railway, utility, or infrastructure programs

Additional Information

• Sponsorship is provided. 
• Relocation is provided. 

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

 

About AECOM 

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan. 

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com. 

What makes AECOM a great place to work 

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community—where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity. 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.