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Job Description
Marketing Statement
Ride BART to a satisfying career that lets you both: 1) make a difference to Bay Area residents, and 2) enjoy excellent pay, benefits, and employment stability. BART is looking for people who like to be challenged, work in a fast-paced environment, and have a passion for connecting riders to work, school and other places they need to go. BART offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, paid time off, and the CalPERS retirement program.
Job Summary
Pay Rate
Non-Represented Pay Band E08
Minimum: $ 147,332.00 to Maximum: $ 223,208.00
The initial salary offer will be between $ 147,332.00 and $188,504.00, commensurate with education and experience.
Reports To
Deputy Director, Group Manager, Engineering Manager or designee.
Current Assignment
The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) is seeking a strategic and technically accomplished Principal Project Engineer to join the Office of Infrastructure Delivery (OID), Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)/Permit Team within the Innovation & Standards Group. This is a unique opportunity to safeguard and strengthen the District’s assets while enabling thoughtful development that integrates seamlessly with one of the nation’s most vital rail systems.
This position operates at the intersection of infrastructure protection, development coordination, and operational continuity. The Principal Project Engineer will ensure that Transit-Oriented Development and third-party permitted projects protect BART’s physical assets, operational integrity, and long-term system performance.
The Office of Infrastructure Delivery (OID) is recruiting one (1) Principal Project Engineer to the TOD/Permit Team. The team partners closely with BART’s Real Estate group and collaborates with external agencies, contractors, and private developers to safeguard District infrastructure during Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) and permitted projects.
The TOD/Permit Team works in coordination with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) across OID and Operations to facilitate:- Comprehensive plan reviews
- Construction oversight and field coordination
- Building and Fire Safety (BFS) compliance
- Maintenance agreement negotiations
- Permit condition development and enforcement
The Principal Project Engineer will lead all permitted projects and support TOD projects as needed, managing multiple assignments simultaneously across various phases of the permitting lifecycle. Projects may range from early impact evaluation and technical review through approval, inspection, and close-out.
This role is critical to ensuring that external development enhances the communities BART serves while protecting the District’s assets, service reliability, and safety standards.
Operational Priorities:- Protecting BART infrastructure and maintaining uninterrupted rail operations during adjacent development activities
- Ensuring compliance with engineering standards, BFS requirements, and District policies
- Coordinating multidisciplinary technical reviews across civil, structural, electrical, mechanical, traction power, communications, and related systems
- Managing overlapping permitting timelines while maintaining quality and responsiveness
- Supporting TOD initiatives that align with regional growth and transit connectivity goals
- Maintaining strong, collaborative relationships with internal divisions and external development partners
Key Responsibilities:- Lead and manage all permitted third-party projects affecting District property and infrastructure
- Conduct as-built research and technical due diligence to evaluate potential impacts
- Facilitate engineering plan reviews and establish permit conditions
- Coordinate with SMEs within OID and Operations to ensure technical alignment and risk mitigation
- Oversee construction monitoring and inspection activities
- Track project milestones and ensure timely permit approvals and close-outs
- Interpret and explain District policies, procedures, standards, and technical requirements
- Prepare clear, concise reports and provide updates to leadership and stakeholders
- Negotiate and support maintenance agreement development
- Utilize enterprise systems such as Oracle PeopleSoft, IBM Maximo, or similar applications to manage documentation and workflows
The successful candidate will demonstrate:- Innovative problem-solving skills, is results-driven and consistently seeks the next challenge; They are a highly motivated self-starter with the capacity to manage multiple projects at varying stages of complexity and review.
- Broad technical understanding of civil, structural, electrical, mechanical, traction power, communications, and related transit systems
- Strong knowledge of permitting workflows and construction site development processes, particularly related to TOD projects
- Proven ability to prioritize and manage overlapping assignments with competing deadlines
- Experience leading permit-related projects including as-built research, plan review, permit condition development, reporting, and inspection coordination
- Experience working in a critical operational environment where maintaining uninterrupted service is essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively at all levels of the organization and with external stakeholders
- Strong written communication skills and the ability to communicate clearly up, down, and across the organization
- Ability to contribute effectively within multidisciplinary teams to optimize collaboration and efficiency
The most qualified candidates for this position will have highly developed competencies in the following area, which will be reinforced with related work experience and will be clearly articulated during the selection process:- Third-party permitting and infrastructure protection within an active rail environment
- Multidisciplinary engineering coordination and systems integration
- Transit-oriented development technical oversight
- Policy interpretation and standards enforcement
- Stakeholder relationship management and negotiation
- Construction monitoring and compliance assurance
- Risk identification and mitigation in operationally sensitive settings
- Enterprise system utilization for project tracking and reporting
Application & Selection Process
All applicants must apply online at www.bart.gov/jobs. Applicants needing assistance with the online application process may receive additional information by calling the Talent Acquisition Division at (510) 464-6112 or employment@bart.gov .
All applicants are asked to complete the application in full, indicating dates of employment, all positions held, hours worked, and a full description of duties. Applicants are invited to electronically attach a resume to the application form to provide supplemental information but should not consider the resume a substitute for the application form itself.
Applications must be complete by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement.
Applications will be screened to ensure that the minimum qualifications are met. Those applicants who meet minimum qualifications will then be referred to the hiring department for the completion of further selection processes.
The selection process for this position may include a skills/performance demonstration, a written examination, and a panel and/or individual interview.
The successful candidate must have an employment history demonstrating reliability and dependability; provide copies of certificates, diplomas, or other documents as required by law, including those establishing his/her right to work in the U. S. Pre-employment processing will also include a background check. (Does not apply to current full-time District employees unless specific job requires additional evaluations).
Examples of Duties
Plans, budgets, oversees, manages, administers and documents capitally funded station projects from design phase through construction completion. Resolves design and construction errors.
Participates in the development of policies and procedures; monitors work activities to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures; makes recommendations for changes and improvements to existing standards and procedures.
Recommends and assists in the implementation of goals and objectives; implements approved policies and procedures.
Represents the District with full authority to enforce contract requirements; evaluates proposed contract changes; prepares independent engineering cost estimates of revised project scopes; inspects construction at substantial and final completion stages.
Plans, oversees and manages design consultants and construction management consultants on assigned station projects. Prepares request for proposals; reviews and negotiate proposals; provides direction to consultants.
Participates in the preparation and administration of assigned program budget; submits budget recommendations; monitors expenditures; tracks schedules for projects.
Prepares analytical and statistical reports on assigned project operations and activities.
Performs reviews of consultant deliverables and coordinates reviews by stakeholders, both internally at BART and externally. Serves as project liaison internally at BART and externally at outside agencies. Resolves project issues; prepares and provides project reports.
Coordinates with outside agencies on areas of work within their jurisdiction; administers control of required documentation for construction contracts.
Prepares or reviews a variety of reports and correspondence on assigned construction projects including Inspector's Daily Reports, monthly and final completion reports, contract modifications and field or design engineering changes.
Prioritizes, assigns, supervises, and reviews the work of staff responsible for performing a variety of professional engineering, design or construction project duties.
Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of engineering design and construction.
Participates in the resolution of construction contract claim issues.
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
Education :
Possession of a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field from an accredited college or university.
Experience :
Four (4) years of (full-time equivalent) verifiable professional construction project management, engineering project management or related experience.
Substitution :
Additional professional experience as outlined above may be substituted for the education on a year-for- year basis.
Knowledge and Skills
Knowledge of :- Principles and practices of engineering in assigned discipline area
- Principles and practices of project management
- Operations, services and activities of an engineering design and construction program
- Principles and practices of engineering cost estimating
- Methods and techniques of field measuring and testing
- Engineering contract administration principles and practices
- Materials and equipment methods utilized in engineering
- Terminology, methods, practices, and techniques used in related engineering report preparation
- Advanced mathematical principles
- Process implementation, optimization, and improvement
- Current office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers
- Specialized computer programs or systems utilized in construction engineering design including CADD
- Related building codes, regulations and provisions
- Related Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations
Skill/Ability in :- Applying principles and practices in engineering design and construction in assigned projects
- Interpreting and explaining District policies and procedures
- Preparing clear and concise reports
- Interpreting and preparing revisions to engineering plans, drawings, and specifications
- Communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
- Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
Equal Employment Opportunity GroupBox1
The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 and above), religion, national origin (including language use restrictions), disability (mental and physical, including HIV and AIDS), ancestry, marital status, military status, veteran status, medical condition (cancer/genetic characteristics and information), or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.
The BART Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities or for religious reasons. Please advise the Human Resources Department of any special needs in advance of the examination by emailing at least 5 days before your examination date at employment@bart.gov .
Qualified veterans may be eligible to obtain additional veteran's credit in the selection process for this recruitment (effective Jan. 1, 2013). To obtain the credit, veterans must attach to the application a DD214 discharge document or proof of disability and complete/submit the Veteran's Preference Application no later than the closing date of the posting. For more information about this credit please go to the Veteran's Preference Policy and Application link at www.bart.gov/jobs .
The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) prides itself in offering best in class benefits packages to employees of the District. Currently, the following benefits may be available to employees in this job classification.
Highlights- Medical Coverage (or $350/month if opted out)
- Dental Coverage
- Vision Insurance (Basic and Enhanced Plans Available)
- Retirement Plan through the CA Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS)
- 2% @ 55 (Classic Members)
- 2% @ 62 (PEPRA Members)
- 3% at 50 (Safety Members - Classic)
- 2.7% @ 57 (Safety Members - PEPRA)
- Reciprocity available for existing members of many other public retirement systems (see BART website and/or CalPERS website for details)
- Money Purchase Pension Plan (in-lieu of participating in Social Security tax)
- 6.65% employer contribution up to annual maximum of $1,868.65
- Deferred Compensation & Roth 457
- Sick Leave Accruals (12 days per year)
- Vacation Accruals (3-6 weeks based on time worked w/ the District)
- Holidays: 9 observed holidays and 5 floating holidays
- Life Insurance w/ ability to obtain additional coverage
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
- Survivor Benefits through BART
- Short-Term Disability Insurance
- Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Flexible Spending Accounts: Health and Dependent Care
- Commuter Benefits
- Free BART Passes for BART employees and eligible family members.
Closing Date/Time: 3/13/2026 11:59 PM Pacific -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit)
Show moreThe BART story began in 1946. It began not by governmental fiat, but as a concept gradually evolving at informal gatherings of business and civic leaders on both sides of the San Francisco Bay. Facing a heavy post-war migration to the area and its consequent automobile boom, these people discussed ways of easing the mounting congestion that was clogging the bridges spanning the Bay. In 1947, a joint Army-Navy review Board concluded that another connecting link between San Francisco and Oakland would be needed in the years ahead to prevent intolerable congestion on the Bay Bridge. The link? An underwater tube devoted exclusively to high-speed electric trains.
Since 1911, visionaries had periodically brought up this Jules Verne concept. But now, pressure for a traffic solution increased with the population. In 1951, the State Legislature created the 26-member San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit Commission, comprised of representatives from each of the nine counties which touch the Bay. The Commission's charge was to study the Bay Area's long range transportation needs in the context of environmental problems and then recommend the best solution.
The Commission advised, in its final report in 1957, that any transportation plan must be coordinated with the area's total plan for future development. Since no development plan existed, the Commission prepared one itself. The result of their thoroughness is a master plan which did much to bring about coordinated planning in the Bay Area, and which was adopted a decade later by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG).
The BART Concept is Born
The Commission's least-cost solution to traffic tie-ups was to recommend forming a five-county rapid transit district, whose mandate would be to build and operate a high-speed rapid rail network linking major commercial centers with suburban sub-centers.The Commission stated that, "If the Bay Area is to be preserved as a fine place to live and work, a regional rapid transit system is essential to prevent total dependence on automobiles and freeways."
Thus was born the environmental concept underlying BART. Acting on the Commission's recommendations, in 1957, the Legislature formed the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District, comprising the five counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo. At this time, the District was granted a taxing power of five cents per $100 of assessed valuation. It also had authority to levy property taxes to support a general obligation bond issue, if approved by District voters. The State Legislature lowered the requirement for voter approval from 66 percent to 60 percent.
Between 1957 and 1962, engineering plans were developed for a system that would usher in a new era in rapid transit. Electric trains would run on grade-separated right-of-ways, reaching maximum speeds of 75-80 mph, averaging perhaps 45 mph, including station stops. Advanced transit cars, with sophisticated suspensions, braking and propulsion systems, and luxurious interiors, would be strong competition to "King Car " in the Bay Area. Stations would be pleasant, conveniently located, and striking architectural enhancements to their respective on-line communities.
BART employees in the 1970s.
Hundreds of meetings were held in the District communities to encourage local citizen participation in the development of routes and station locations. By midsummer, 1961, the final plan was submitted to the supervisors of the five District counties for approval. San Mateo County Supervisors were cool to the plan. Citing the high costs of a new system-plus adequate existing service from Southern Pacific commuter trains - they voted to withdraw their county from the District in December 1961.
With the District-wide tax base thus weakened by the withdrawal of San Mateo County, Marin County was forced to withdraw in early 1962 because its marginal tax base could not adequately absorb its share of BART's projected cost. Another important factor in Marin's withdrawal was an engineering controversy over the feasibility of carrying trains across the Golden Gate Bridge.
BART had started with a 16-member governing Board of Directors apportioned on county population size: four from Alameda and San Francisco Counties, three from Contra Costa and San Mateo, and two from Marin. When the District was reduced to three counties, the Board was reduced to 11 members: four from San Francisco and Alameda, and three from Contra Costa. Subsequently, in 1965, the District's enabling legislation was changed to apportion the BART Board with four Directors from each county, thus giving Contra Costa its fourth member on a 12-person Board. Two directors from each county, hence forth, were appointed by the County Board of Supervisors. The other two directors were appointed by committees of mayors of each county (with the exception of the City and County of San Francisco, whose sole mayor made these appointments).
The five-county plan was quickly revised to a three-county plan emphasizing rapid transit between San Francisco and the East Bay cities and suburbs of Contra Costa and Alameda counties. The new plan, elaborately detailed and presented as the "BART Composite Report, " was approved by supervisors of the three counties in July 1962, and placed on the ballot for the following November general election.
The plan required approval of 60 percent of the District's voters. It narrowly passed with a 61.2 percent vote District-wide, much to the surprise of many political experts who were confident it would fail. Indeed, one influential executive was reported to have said: "If I'd known the damn thing would have passed, I'd never have supported it. "
The voters approved a $792 million bond issue to finance a 71.5 mile high-speed transit system, consisting of 33 stations serving 17 communities in the three counties. The proposal also included another needed transit project: rebuilding 3.5 miles of the San Francisco Municipal Railway. The new line would link muni streetcar lines directly with BART and Market Street stations, and four new Muni stations would be built.
The additional cost of the transbay tube -- estimated at $133 million -- was to come from bonds issued by the California Toll Bridge Authority and secured by future Bay Area Bridge revenues. The additional cost of rolling stock, estimated at $71 million, was to be funded primarily from bonds issued against future operating revenues. Thus, the total cost of the system, as of 1962, was projected at $996 million. It would be the largest single public works project ever undertaken in the U.S. by the local citizenry.
After the election, engineers immediately started work on the final system designs, only to be halted by a taxpayer's suit filed against the District a month later. The validity of the bond election, and the legality of the District itself, were challenged. While the court ruled in favor of the District on both counts, six months of litigation cost $12 million in construction delays. This would be the first of many delays from litigation and time-consuming negotiations involving 166 separate agreements reached with on-line cities, counties, and other special districts. The democratic processes of building a new transit system would prove to be major cost factors that, however necessary, were not foreseen.
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