Posting number: 2026-080
Department: Alaska Railroad Corporation
Division: Advanced Train Control Systems
Job classification: Project Analyst, ATCS (Alaska Railroad)
Posting type: Open
Categories: IT and Computers, Transportation, Miscellaneous, Project Management, Business
The primary responsibility is to support the Alaska Railroad's Advanced Train Control Systems department and its safety systems to ensure safe, stable and efficient operations. This position is fundamentally a systems integrations position requiring a deep understanding of computing and networking technology, data and database systems, systems design, systems engineering, and systems validation and systems testing methodologies.
The successful candidate will have a comprehensive background that allows for multidisciplinary systems design, implementation and validation. This background will be focused on supporting the Alaska Railroad’s implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC) and its auxiliary subsystems. Additionally, this position participates in a rotating on-call after-hours support rotation and will be subject to the Alaska Railroad’s Hours of Service program.
This tiered position allows for career advancement through personal, technical, and professional skills acquisition and development. Each tier represents a milestone in technical competency, accountability, and responsibility in not only modern information systems technologies but also in Positive Train Control systems and its auxiliary subsystems.
Work Exp.
PTC Exp.
(NR08)
The successful candidate will have a background that demonstrates a fundamental understanding of modern computing technologies (i.e. Workstations, Servers, switched networking, TCP/IP troubleshooting, messaging systems, database systems, etc.), or a sufficient background to develop the necessary skills in these technologies and the ability to apply that knowledge to solve technical issues.
The scope of responsibilities for this tier will primarily be focused on the automated testing environments to support the positive train control acceptance testing. This position will work under more senior technical team members to support the needs of the department.
Personal progression in acquiring fundamental skills in PTC is expected.
AS
BS
2
0
0
0
(NR08)
In addition to Tier I scope, the skill competency for this level will be higher to reduce the active work-task oversight by other members of the team. Work will be expected to be completed independently within the candidate’s established scope of duties with an eye on accuracy. Additionally, the candidate will be encouraged to continue to develop skills in preparation for the next tier of responsibilities.
The scope of responsibilities will be expanded to cover the larger end-to-end test labs as well as the smaller test environments. More emphasis will be placed on technical competency, inter-team communication and system validation.
Personal skills development is expected to continue and should demonstrate measurable progress in PTC Core competencies for qualification to the next tier.
AS
BS
MS
5
3
1
0
0
0
(NR09)
In addition to Tier II scope, the skill competency for this level is higher and the employee in this position will be expected to mentor others in their areas of expertise. Additionally, candidates in this tier will be expected to apply system knowledge to gather requirements, design systems and manage the implementation and validation of those systems.
The scope of responsibilities will be expanded to include working with oversight in the production PTC systems. The advancement of working within this space will necessitate enrollment in Hours of Service rules and adhering to stricter procedures to ensure smooth, stable and safe system deployments while maintaining railroad operational continuity.
Personal skills development is expected to continue and should demonstrate measurable progress in PTC Core competencies for qualification to the next tier.
AS
BS
MS
8
6
3
2
2
2
(NR10)
In addition to Tier III scope, the skill competency for this level will be the highest and the employee in this position will lead production system deployments in alignment with change management procedures and will help validate work of the lower tiers.
Additionally, this tier will fill a technical lead role for the SE team, providing supervision and direction of Tier I-III Systems Engineers as directed by Manager, Systems Engineering - ATCS, and will assist in task assignment duties.
This role will be responsible for system design, system validation, and requirements compliance. Basic project management in assisting with task assignment to balance resource utilization across the team.
AS
BS
MS
12
9
7
5+
5+
5+
Maintains and administers Automated Test Environments (ATE) including server configuration, network setup, virtualization platforms, and database systems to support PTC acceptance testing.
35%
20%
10%
5%
Performs system validation and acceptance testing of PTC software releases from the vendors, executing test procedures and documenting results in accordance with department quality assurance methodologies.
25%
20%
15%
10%
Administers and troubleshoots PTC subsystems including BackOffice Server, MDM Server, Communication Server, Control Server, and Train Management Computer (TMC) software across test and production environments as qualified.
10%
15%
15%
20%
Manages messaging infrastructure (RabbitMQ, ITCM, WSRS) and database systems (SQL Server/TMDS) supporting PTC operations, including configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting.
10%
15%
15%
10%
Supports production PTC system deployments under change management procedures and Hours of Service rules, ensuring smooth, stable, and safe system changes while maintaining railroad operational continuity.
0%
5%
15%
20%
Creates and maintains technical documentation including system configurations, test procedures, validation reports, installation guides, and operational runbooks.
10%
10%
10%
10%
Manages PTC data including track survey data collection and validation, On-Board Track File creation and distribution, code line control assignments, and wayside addressing conventions.
5%
10%
10%
5%
Mentors and provides technical guidance to lower-tier engineers, reviews their work output, and assists with knowledge transfer across PTC competency areas.
0%
0%
5%
10%
Coordinates with the Manager, Systems Engineering - ATCS on supervision, task assignment, resource utilization, and technical direction for the ATCS Systems Engineering team.
0%
0%
0%
5%
Participates in vendor coordination for software updates, issue resolution, and system enhancement planning. May be required to travel for vendor meetings or field installations.
5%
5%
5%
5%
Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of modern computing technologies including server and workstation administration, switched networking, TCP/IP protocols, messaging systems (RabbitMQ, ITCM, WSRS), database systems (SQL Server), and virtualization platforms (vSphere). Requires understanding of both Windows and Linux operating systems administration, configuration, and troubleshooting. Shows proficiency in systems integration principles, data validation methodologies, and safety-critical system design. At higher tiers, demonstrates deep expertise in Positive Train Control (PTC) systems architecture, including BackOffice Server, MDM Server, Train Management Computer (TMC), Code Server, and Communication and Control Server subsystems. Knowledgeable in railroad operational rules, Hours of Service regulations, and change management procedures as applicable to safety overlay systems.
Applies systematic troubleshooting methodologies across computing, networking, and PTC subsystems to identify root causes and implement solutions. Analyzes system performance data, test results, and operational metrics to ensure stable and safe PTC operations. At lower tiers, performs analysis within established test environments under guidance; at higher tiers, independently designs validation approaches, evaluates system-wide impacts of proposed changes, and makes risk-informed decisions affecting production safety systems. Demonstrates quality in system documentation, test execution, and change implementation. The Impact of decisions at senior tiers directly affects railroad operational safety and regulatory compliance.
At Tier I, works under direct technical oversight of senior team members, primarily within automated test environments. At Tier II, works independently within established scope, with oversight limited to review of completed work. At Tier III, works with limited oversight in production PTC systems under Hours of Service rules, mentors Tier I and II engineers, and coordinates work across team members. At Tier IV, serves as technical lead under the Senior Systems Engineer, assists with task assignment and resource balancing, validates work of lower-tier engineers, and leads production system deployments in alignment with change management procedures.
Communicates with ATCS team members, ARRC departments, and external vendor representatives to coordinate system testing, deployments, and issue resolution. Produces clear technical documentation including system configurations, test procedures, validation reports, and change management records. At higher tiers, communicates system status and technical risks to department leadership, participates in cross-functional coordination for PTC system upgrades, and represents ATCS technical positions in vendor and regulatory discussions. Provides mentoring and knowledge transfer to junior engineers through documentation and direct instruction.
Works primarily in an office and data center environment. May be required to work in field locations including field testing to validate end-to-end system functionality along the railroad corridor. Production support may require work outside normal business hours, including nights and weekends, to align with railroad operational windows. Engineers enrolled in Hours of Service are subject to federal work-hour limitations, mandatory drug testing. May be exposed to weather conditions, railroad operational hazards, and noise when performing field work.
Education Requirements
An Associate’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline is the minimum education requirement. A Bachelor’s degree is preferred and reduces the work experience requirement. A Master’s degree further reduces the experience requirement as specified in the table below. Degrees should demonstrate foundational coursework in computing systems, networking, database systems, or engineering principles applicable to systems integration. Competency demonstration for advancement can take the form of assessment testing, practical demonstration, or peer recommendation.
I
AS
2
0
Experience in information technology, systems engineering, or a related technical discipline demonstrating foundational proficiency in computing systems administration, networking, or database management. PTC or railroad technology experience is not required.
Supports automated test environments (ATE) and PTC acceptance testing under direct oversight of senior engineers. Works primarily within smaller test environments and simulators. Personal progression in acquiring foundational PTC skills is expected.
BS
0
0
II
AS
5
0
Experience demonstrating independent technical work in systems administration, infrastructure support, or systems testing with progression toward deeper technical specialization. PTC experience is valued but not required.
Independently manages and troubleshoots test environments across both end-to-end labs and smaller footprint environments. Execute system validation, PTC subsystem administration, and messaging/database infrastructure support with reduced oversight. Expected to develop demonstrated competency in at least one PTC core area.
BS
3
0
MS
1
0
III
AS
8
2
Experience demonstrating proficiency across multiple technical disciplines with a minimum of 2 years in PTC or railroad control systems. Must show evidence of mentoring, systems design contribution, or leading technical efforts.
Administers and troubleshoots PTC systems in production environments under Hours of Service rules. Applies system knowledge to requirements gathering, system design, and implementation validation. Mentors Tier I and II engineers. Expected to demonstrate competency in multiple PTC core areas.
BS
6
2
MS
3
2
IV
AS
12
5+
Extensive experience demonstrating technical leadership with a minimum of 5 years in PTC systems and a record of leading production deployments, system design, and cross-functional coordination.
Technical lead under the Manager, Systems Engineering - ATCS. Leads production system deployments under change management procedures. Responsible for system design, requirements compliance, and validation of lower-tier work. Assists with supervision, task assignment and resource utilization across the team. Experience with regulatory compliance, change management, and team oversight is required.
BS
9
5+
MS
7
5+
Work Experience
Minimum two (2) years of experience in information technology, systems engineering, or a related technical discipline is required for Tier I entry with an Associate’s degree, or zero (0) years with a Bachelor’s degree. Higher tiers require progressively greater experience as specified in the tier qualification table above. Experience must demonstrate proficiency in computing systems administration, networking, database management, or software testing. PTC or railroad technology experience is not required for entry but is required for advancement to Tier III and above. Prior experience with safety-critical systems, operational technology, or SCADA environments is highly valued.
Certification/License Requirements
Must have a valid driver’s license. To be considered a valid driver's license, an employee must maintain a continuous three-year period free of any Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or Operating Under the Influence (OUI) convictions.
Advancement between tiers is subject to demonstrated competency as evaluated through the ATCS Systems Engineer Skills Assessment program. This internal assessment evaluates proficiency across defined competency areas and requires ongoing demonstration of skills to maintain tier qualifications.
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical discipline is preferred. Industry certifications such as CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+, CCNA, or Microsoft certified credentials are valued. Previous experience with railroad operations, Positive Train Control systems, or safety-critical system engineering is preferred. Familiarity with formal software testing methodologies, configuration management, and systems integration practices is desirable.
The above reflects only the more significant details for the performance of the job and is not intended to be all inclusive.
Please include any REQUIRED AND DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS in your APPLICANT PROFILE and/or RESUME. If using work experience not already documented in your application, also provide the employer name, your job title, dates of employment and whether full- or part-time. Your application will be closely reviewed to determine if the responses are supported and minimum qualifications are clearly met. If they are not, the applicant will not advance to the interview and selection phase of the recruitment.
IF you are select for an interview, then you MUST be able to submit a copy of a current drivers record that reflects the past three (3) years of driving history.
The State of Alaska DMV Driving Records are available online: https://online.dmv.alaska.gov/onlinedrivingrecords
E-Mail: arjobinfo@akrr.com
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 107500, Anchorage, AK 99510-7500
Street Address: 327 West Ship Creek, Anchorage, AK
Fax Number: (907) 265-2542
The State of Alaska is a public sector employer taking care of a variety of needs across the great state. As an employer the State of Alaska opens up opportunities for employees to live and work in a place unlike any other.
