Principal Engineer – Operational Technology Systems Security Compliance; Signal, Communications

Job : 13589

Business Unit: Long Island Rail Road

Location: Jamaica, NY, United States

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Description

Job Title: Principal Engineer Operational Technology Systems Security Compliance (Signal, Communications, Power)

MTA Agency:Long Island Rail Road

Primary Location(s):Hillside Support Facility

Regulated/Safety Sensitive:Safety Sensitive

Union Affiliation: N/A

Closing Date (if applicable): 11/19/2025

Shift (if applicable):Day

Chartered in 1834, the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) is the largest, busiest, and oldest continuously operating commuter railroad in the United States. In 2024, this 24/7/365 operation served 75.5 million riders on a system that stretches nearly 120 miles – from Penn Station and Grand Central Madison in Manhattan to Montauk on the eastern tip of Long Island.

JOB SUMMARY:

The purpose of the Principal Engineer Security Compliance – Operational Technology (OT) Systems position is to support the MTA’s Cybersecurity program in coordination with the MTA IT Cybersecurity (CS) group. This position will have a direct reporting relationship to LIRR’s Engineering Department with a dotted line reporting relation to the office of the CISO, MTA IT Cybersecurity. In coordination with MTA ITCS, this position will support the implementation of MTA’s Cybersecurity programs for LIRR, reduce cybersecurity risks, ensure compliance with MTA, TSA, State, and Federal requirements, and provide technical expertise in managing and analyzing control system risks regarding critical infrastructure.

Critical infrastructure includes Centralized Traffic Control (CTC), Power, Signaling, Communications, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Positive Train Control (PTC), ground-based fiber network and voice/data radio mission, and all critical systems at the office controls centers and field locations In addition, the position will manage design review and oversight of third-party design and construction work that is associated with Operational Technology systems, including network architecture, hardware, and software related to Cybersecurity within the LIRR.

Assist in the successful implementation of Cybersecurity programs while assuring the daily operation of the LIRR and will provide 24/7 emergency response for any Cybersecurity issues. As part of an operating department, the position is also responsible for providing general 24/7 support to LIRR operations and/or responding to incidents impacting the system, such as derailments, storm-related events, etc.; this includes after-hour and weekend reporting, and coverage as assigned.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Coordinate, liaise, and work in close alignment with MTA IT and Cybersecurity Office and their partners to satisfy and ensure the adaptation of the MTA’s application of NIST Cybersecurity Framework, IEC 62443 standard, MTA IT, New York State, TSA, CISA, FTA, and FRA Cyber related mandates and MTA IT Cybersecurity initiatives.
• Coordinate efforts with the MTA IT Cybersecurity group to develop and maintain disaster recovery and contingency plans for each OT System to provide LIRR with minimal interruptions in service. Establish systems to monitor compliance with MTA IT architectural standards and ensure technical integrity. Develop and implement action plans to improve security in their security domain(s) and related technology as required.
• Support MTA IT Cybersecurity to perform risk assessments, data analytic tools, operational process reviews, asset information, tabletop exercises, and collaboration with security engineers, architects, developers, vendors, and business units to constantly improve the overall security of the LIRR OT infrastructure.
• Maintain infrastructure, and applications technology for LIRR OT Systems to support a secure Cybersecurity posture by hardening OT infrastructure and applications technology, guiding, responding, and analyzing LIRR systems in the reduction and containment of Cybersecurity risk identified by MTA IT Cybersecurity.
• To comply with TSA mandates and MTA policies, provides system logs for…