Deputy Director of Bridges & Structures

Posting number: 26-20048

Department: MBTA - Capital Delivery

Division: 521-North Station Draw 1

Job classification: Deputy Director of Bridges & Structures

Posting type: Open/External and Promotional/Internal

Categories: Clerical & Data Entry, Engineering, Planning and Development, Management, Safety, Maintenance, Customer Service, Communications, Office and Administrative Support, Database Administration

Summary

This position is a project specific position and is limited to the term of the design-build contract. Employment beyond the design-build contract will be at the discretion of the MBTA at the completion of the project, which is currently anticipated to be early 2033.

The Deputy Director of Bridges & Structures for the Draw One Bridge Program will assist the Deputy Chief and other MBTA Draw One executives in the delivery of this critical program: on schedule and within budget.  The Deputy Director will execute the design and construction of this program as it relates to specific complex technical matters related to railroad structures and movable bridges. This position will also assist in providing oversight to well over 250 MBTA employees, consultants and contractors. Management will be within a heavily unionized environment including Resident Engineers, Project Managers, and Inspectors.

The Deputy Director must be adept at solving complex technical field and program management issues, and equally adept at obtaining internal and external stakeholder acceptance of project decisions. Must be particularly skilled in working across departments to effectively support this program while minimizing impact to the day-to-day operations of the commuter rail system. The deputy director will coordinate with the deputy chief and other Draw One executives to deliver strategic priorities, performance goals and metrics as it relates to the program’s structural and bridge design and construction.  

About The MBTA and the Draw One Project

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is America's fifth largest transit system offering multimodal transportation services to 175 member cities and towns and 4.7 million residents across a 3,200 square mile area. It is a public authority and political subdivision of the Commonwealth. The MBTA operates heavy rail, light rail, commuter rail, bus, and commuter boat services.

The North Station Draw One Program will modernize and replace critical movable bridges and associated rail infrastructure serving North Station: significantly improving reliability, resiliency, and operational flexibility for the MBTA commuter rail network. The program includes major Design-Build construction activities involving bridge replacement, track, signal, power, and systems integration within a complex and heavily trafficked rail terminus. The program will serve as a model for delivering complex infrastructure projects within an active rail terminal environment while maintaining continuous service to customers.

Examples of duties

• Direct and lead a team of project managers, project coordinators, resident engineers, inspectors, and other technical professionals who collectively will oversee the efforts of third-party engineering, architectural and construction firms providing the design and construction services under the Draw One Design-Build contract.
• Ensure that Draw One program's bridge and structure elements are advanced in accordance with the following MBTA Manuals, policies, and procedures as may be amended from time to time, or program-specific delivery protocols and procedures if supporting a major MBTA program: Project Manager’s Manual; Project Controls Manual; Quality Assurance Manual; Resident Engineer’s Manual; Contract Administration Policies and Procedures; MBTA Directives published on the MBTA Web Page or provided directly by the Authority, as well as FTA Circular 4220.1F Third Party Contracting.
• Lead the management and reporting of Draw One bridge and structure project scope, budget, and schedule as part of the capital planning process.
• Work with engineers, architects, contractors, and stakeholders to establish and manage detailed project plans, including timelines, budgets, resources, and quality benchmarks.
• Coordinate and oversee the comprehensive schedules     that coordinate rail alignment/realignment, signal work, power upgrades, and bridge construction activities to ensure milestones are met and deadlines are adhered to.
• Review and assess testing, commissioning, outage and force account needs leading up to new cut-over/in-service plans.
• Coordinate with construction teams and contractors, ensuring adherence to design specifications, codes, standards, and contract documents.
• Align construction activities with the schedules of commuter rail operations, ensuring minimal disruption to daily services. This may involve night work and/or off-peak hours.
• Ensure the project’s construction plans and activities comply with local, regional and national regulations including environmental, safety and construction standards.
• Oversee the planning, design, construction, and commissioning of movable bridge systems, including structural, mechanical, and electrical components.
• Coordinate the integration of movable bridge operations with rail, signal, and power systems to maintain service continuity and operational safety.
• Resolve construction challenges affecting bridge operability, including lifting mechanisms, electrical controls, and marine navigation requirements.
• Manage inspections, testing, and acceptance of movable bridge systems to ensure reliable and safe operations.
• Coordinate construction schedules with commuter rail operations and marine navigation requirements, balancing project execution with public service obligations.
• Resolve field challenges quickly and decisively, particularly those affecting bridge operability, rail operations, signaling, or power systems.
• Drive quality assurance and safety programs across all disciplines, ensuring compliance with codes, standards, and MBTA safety protocols.
• Provide oversight and direction to the QA Field Services team and program specific to movable bridge systems, ensuring machinery, control systems, and structural components meet all performance standards.
• Collaborate with quality and design teams to evaluate NCR root cause analyses and help determine corrective actions to close out NCRs timely.
• Engage and coordinate with contractors, subcontractors, utilities, consultants, and regulatory agencies (including the U.S. Coast Guard, Army Corps of Engineers, and FRA) to ensure smooth execution and compliance.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders, including the public, elected officials, and partner agencies, while upholding the interests of the Authority.
• Review and approve technical submittals, shop drawings, and vendor documentation for bridge, rail, signal, and power systems.
• Ensure all systems are inspected, tested, and commissioned to meet operational requirements prior to turnover.
• Promote a strong culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement among all project staff and contractors.
• Respond to emergencies, service disruptions, or other field conditions as needed, including site visits during nights or weekends.
• Enforce Authority policies, collective bargaining agreements, and workplace standards, including EEO, Anti-Discrimination, Anti-Harassment, and Anti-Retaliation policies.
• Prepare and deliver regular reports to executive management, clients and stakeholders detailing project progress, risks and financial standing.
• Manage and track field changes and non-conformance reporting.
• Drive a company or personal vehicle to visit work sites to assist at emergencies, service disruptions, and/or other events as needed.
• Respond to emergencies, either directly or through subordinates, on a twenty-four (24) hour, seven (7) day per week basis.
• Work collaboratively with leadership throughout the MBTA departments, the PM/CM, Keolis, external agencies and other stakeholders to achieve target schedule, budget and reputational outcomes. 
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

Supervision

• Directly supervise project managers, project coordinators, within Draw One team.
• Indirectly supervise project managers, project coordinators, resident engineers, inspectors and other technical professionals who collectively will oversee the efforts of third-party engineering, architectural and construction firms providing the design and construction services under the Draw One Design Build contract.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, architecture or construction management.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in heavy construction within a transit environment with a focus on Structures and/or Movable Bridges.
• Two (2) years of experience in a supervisory or management role.
• Demonstrated experience managing large-scale, complex capital projects with multiple disciplines.

• Strong knowledge of safety standards, construction codes, and industry best practices.
• Demonstrated success developing realistic and attainable project budgets and schedules.
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with local, state, and federal agencies and governance boards.
• Effective organizational, analytical, and confidentiality, multitasking and time management skills.
• Leadership experience communicating with customers, employees, vendors, contractors, designers, elected officials, community leaders, and state and federal officials.
• Proven track record of collaboration, transparency, and effective communication.
• Experience developing and monitoring operating and capital budgets.
• Excellent customer service and conflict resolution skills.
• Possession of a valid driver's license without infractions in accordance with MBTA policy.
• Availability to work twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week.
• The ability to supervise and work effectively within a diverse workforce.
• Demonstrated ability and tact to work horizontally and vertically across organizational boundaries to assist project delivery leaders and project managers in resolution of variances in cost and schedule.

Substitutions

• A master’s degree in a related subject substitutes 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.

Supplemental information

• Seven (7) or more years of experience in heavy construction, with at least 5 years delivering large ($200M+), complex capital transit projects/programs.
• Strong background in quality assurance/quality control, risk management, and project delivery.
• Familiarity with MBTA operations or other transit/rail agencies.
• Familiarity with FTA, FRA, MBTA and MassDOT rules, regulations, and permitting requirements related to project delivery and environmental compliance.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Experience working collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary environment.