Manager of Quality, Infrastructure Engineering

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, culture, and accessibility, and 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.

The Quality Manager leads quality assurance activities for infrastructure, including audits, inspections, and performance analysis of maintenance and operational practices. The role evaluates the effectiveness of quality control processes, identifies risks and gaps, and drives improvements to ensure work is performed in accordance with established standards and best practices. The Quality Manager also supports the development and interpretation of quality standards, policies, and procedures, and collaborates with internal stakeholders and third-party consultants to strengthen system reliability, ensure regulatory compliance, and advance continuous improvement across the MBTA.

This position sits within the Infrastructure Maintenance Quality Management team and reports to the leadership of Infrastructure Maintenance Quality Management. The Quality Manager supports quality oversight of infrastructure within Engineering and Maintenance, working closely with engineering, maintenance, and operations teams to ensure infrastructure is designed, maintained, and operated in accordance with established standards and best practices. This role does not have direct supervisory responsibility but plays a key role in influencing and improving quality outcomes across these functions.

• Supports the overall goals, priorities, and strategic initiatives for all QA/QC Department Initiatives.
• Supports assigned QA/QC Department related engineering activities for planning, design, and construction work involving multiple consultants and contractors.
• Develops and maintains QA/QC technical requirements and criteria related to Infrastructure design, including but not limited to design criteria, standard specifications and drawings. Review and assess requests that may deviate from established QA/QC standards.
• Collaborates closely with Construction, Operations, and others to continuously validate and improve requirements based on current industry best practices.
• Establishes goals, priorities and strategic initiatives for the delivery of QA/QC infrastructure maintenance requirements.
• Leads the development of metrics and other analytical tools to measure the performance of the departmental quality assurance and quality control programs.
• Ensures Infrastructure Department QA/QC processes, policies and practices are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively; ensures accountability and compliance with all current MBTA’s policies and procedures, state and federal rules/regulations.
• Provides QA/QC Department related engineering support to Project Managers throughout the planning, design and construction phase of capital projects. Support includes but is not limited to design reviews, construction submittal reviews, response to requests for information, preparation of field clarifications, field inspection etc.
• Read, interpret, and make recommendations based upon technical documents, drawings, blueprints, maintenance manuals, specifications, schematics, and other sample test.
• Provides QA/QC support to the department on matters as directed and requested; serves as staff on a variety of committees; prepares and presents reports, presentations, and other necessary correspondence.
• Reports on the performance of Quality Assurance Standards to MBTA senior managers and other stakeholders.
• Manage Suppliers to ensure supplier meet on time/delivery/budget flawless launch for new projects.
• Perform Analysis of Root Cause, Pareto, Mean Time to Repair, Mean Time between service affecting failures.
• Assists in the Authority’s response to extraordinary situations including emergencies, derailments, accidents, serious service delays, severe weather in order ensure safety and security of riders, employees, and MBTA assets.
• Communicate effectively with customers, vendors, and employees.
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

Additional responsibilities may include focus on one or more departments or locations. See applicable addendum for department or location specific functions.

Supervision

• None.

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Industrial Engineering, or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Five (5) years of engineering experience in the following industry: transportation, signals & communications, capital asset management, facilities management and power or a related industry.
• One (1) year of managerial, supervisory, or leadership experience working with a diverse workforce.
• Knowledge of recent developments, current literature, and sources of information related to QA/QC innovations and trends in electrical/Signal/Communication/track/facility engineering design and development.
• Engineering consulting services and methods including reports, studies, cost estimates, plans, and specifications.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations (FTA, DPU, FRA, DOT. OSHA).
• Effective organizational, analytical, quantitative, technical writing, multi-tasking, and time management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and present effectively to a diverse group of stakeholders and customers
• Proficient with use of MS Office and Excel.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups, and the general public.

Substitutions

• 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’s degree from an accredited institution an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the Bachelor’s degree requirement
• A Master’s degree in a related subject 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

• A Master’s degree or higher from an accredited institution in a technical field related to Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Railroad Engineering, or a related field.
• Ten (10) years of experience working in EPC (Engineering Procurement and Construction) EC (Engineering and Construction) or Assets integrity risk management.
• CQA/CQE Certified quality auditor, Certification in Quality Engineer/Quality System, or Lean/Six sigma Certification.
• Federal or State Regulatory industry working experience in Quality and Reliability management.
• Extensive experience in project management, technical design, inspection, rating schemes such as NBIS, and rehabilitation experience on transit infrastructure projects.
• Incident investigation with strong problem-solving skills. Performed Inspections and evaluated the state of condition for capital assets.
• Computerized work management software.

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 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 pre-employment screenings / pre-boarding, working in their positions, and throughout the duration of their program.

Disclaimers and Definitions:

1. 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.
2. 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. The recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history.
3. Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.
4. 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.
5. Work Eligibility: All employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States and on an unrestricted basis. The MBTA does not have an employer work sponsorship program. However, if you have unrestricted work authorization, or are sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply. Further, all persons hired will require a U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting the position and employees will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
6. 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.
7. Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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 .
12. Intern / Co-Op Benefits: Employees taking part in an internship or co-op at the MBTA are eligible to receive accrued paid sick leave as well as a monthly transportation pass, based on the city from which the intern / co-op commutes to work, at no cost. However, no additional benefits are currently offered for interns or co-ops.