PRINCIPAL SOFTWARE ENGINEER (TAP)

Metro’s mission is to provide a world-class transportation system that enhances the quality of life for all who live, work, and play within LA County.

Description

Manages and maintains complex applications systems; designs, develops, and enhances computer applications systems; manages the process of designing and developing high performance platform and/or platform components; performs as technical lead for project and/or support teams, that may include various Metro Information Technology personnel, technical contractors, consultants, or other internal or external entities; and ensures platform is meeting the needs of stakeholders.

This position will be responsible for designing and overseeing the architecture of software systems including hosted back-end solutions, ensuring they’re scalable and reliable. This position will also be responsible with fare collection network design reviews and support implementations of fare equipment at new rail lines. This position may be tasked to perform code reviews and/or write routines to optimize system performance.

Recruitment Timelines: I nterviews are projected to be scheduled for the week of October 13, 2025. These dates are subject to change. We encourage you to monitor your governmentjobs.com profile and emails for the latest updates.

Examples of Duties

• Acts as technical team leader and maintains responsibility for analysis, design, and implementation of projects as assigned, including complex and highly specialized applications
• Designs, develops, and enhances applications systems on behalf of client departments
• Conducts the most complex programming, system analysis, and design of highly complex systems using Information System Development Methodology in a multi-platform infrastructure and environment
• Consults and advises user departments and other Information Technology Services (ITS) support teams on system requirements and enhancements and supports large computer systems for various departments
• Recommends approval of system designs and interacts with user managers and department users in a senior leadership capacity
• Leads technical personnel in support of related systems
• Monitors and maintains systems health and security
• Performs data manipulation
• Identifies, diagnoses, and resolves highly difficult problems in large highly complex applications systems using highly proactive problem management, diagnosis, and resolution methods/techniques
• Defines technical development and security guidelines
• Sets guidelines and exercises leadership skills to establish and meet target dates on large and highly complex projects involving multiple systems
• Spearheads the preparation of project reports such as technical overviews, client recommendations, alternatives to business requirements, feasibility studies, project proposals, and requests for proposals for the purchase of new software and hardware
• Leads consultants in the analysis, design, implementation, and integration of application business systems
• Leads the evaluation, configuration, implementation, and integration of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software
• Develops software and hardware specifications and standards
• Provides 24-hour and 7-days per week support
• Manages projects within a defined budget set by management
• Provides guidance, coaching, mentoring, training, and oversight for assigned employees in area of expertise

May be required to perform other related job duties

Minimum Qualifications

A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Additional experience, as outlined below, may be substituted for required education on a year-for-year basis. A typical combination includes:
Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Business Information System Technology, Computer Engineering, or a related field; Master's Degree in a related field preferred

Experience

• Five years of relevant experience in designing, implementing and maintaining an enterprise-wide system or relevant area, requiring at least two years specialized experience in area of assignment; Metro and/or public transportation experience preferred

Certifications/Licenses/Special Requirements

• A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions
• Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) preferred
• Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) on SharePoint 2010 preferred
• Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) for Office 365 preferred
• Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) preferred

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications (PQs) are used to identify relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) as determined by business necessity. These criteria are considered preferred qualifications and are not intended to serve as minimum requirements for the position. PQs will help support selection decisions throughout the recruitment. In addition, applicants who possess these PQs will not automatically be selected.

The following are the preferred qualifications:

• Experience managing enterprise network architecture, including firewall configuration, subnetting, VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) management, and network segmentation, with a focus on secure and scalable system design
  
• Experience working with and overseeing contractors and staff maintaining load balancers, high-availability systems, and fault-tolerant design to support reliable back-end solutions and fare collection infrastructure
  
• Experience performing code reviews and identifying optimization or security considerations in software code
  
  

Essential Knowledge

Knowledge of (defined as a learned body of information that is required for and applied in the performance of job tasks)

• Theories, principles, and practices related to information systems and supported business areas
• Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations governing information systems for a public agency
• Mobile application technology
• Project management methodology, techniques, and tools
• Mathematics used in complex business applications
• Problem solving techniques
• Principles of supervision
• Software and computer operating systems
• For ITS Positions Networking LANs, WANs, gateways, operating systems (e.g., AIX (Advanced Interactive eXecutive), MS (Microsoft) Windows, Linux, Apache, IIS (Internet Information Services), etc.), and business process and systems process modeling
• For TAP (Transit Access Pass) Positions Apex and Visualforce coding, HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), Salesforce processes, and JavaScript

Skill in (defined as the proficient manual, verbal, or mental utilization of data, people, or things)

• Communicating effectively orally and in writing
• Analyzing situations, identifying problems, finding and implementing solutions, and evaluating outcomes in a cost-effective manner
• Troubleshooting and correcting operations problems
• Interacting professionally with internal and external representatives
• Clearly defining system integration and interface requirements
• Data analysis and data modeling
• Learning new technology and complex systems
• Identifying opportunities for innovation
• Operating a personal computer, computer terminal, and general office equipment

Ability to (defined as a present competence to perform an observable behavior or produce an observable result)

• Lead the design and development of complex information systems using software engineering techniques
• Resolve highly difficult problems regarding highly complex programming and systems logic
• Perform highly complex systems implementation and integration tasks
• Perform complex programming in various languages such as SQL (Structured Query Language), PL/SQL (Procedural Language for SQL), HTML, XML (eXtensible Markup Language), XML Publisher, CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), jDeveloper, PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor), SQL Server, Oracle applications, Oracle Developer, Oracle Database Management System, Crystal Reports, Business Object Enterprise, Redwood, ActiveBatch, PVCS (Polytron Version Control System), JavaScript, AngularJS, Java Developer, MS SQL Server, VB (Visual Basic), Visual Studio, C/C+/C++, or other specified languages
• Provide technical project management across multiple projects and concurrent tasks
• Develop and implement web-based computer applications
• Analyze and evaluate system changes to determine feasibility
• Clearly define system integration and interface requirements
• Identify and resolve conflicting project and/or client requirements
• Understand, interpret, and apply laws, business rules, regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, budgets, and labor/management agreements to support business processes
• Prepare reports, proposals, presentations, and correspondence in a professional manner
• Exercise sound judgment and creativity in making decisions
• Meet tight time constraints and frequent deadlines
• Maintain confidentiality regarding sensitive information
• Read, write, speak, and understand English

Special Conditions

• This job specification is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements
• The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job
• Metro provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
• This classification is at-will and the incumbent serves at the pleasure of the hiring authority when classified as an Intermittent, Emergency, Annuitant, or Temporary employee, is assigned to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) or Board Clerk's Office, and/or reporting directly to the LACMTA Board of Directors
• Contributes to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and programs of Metro are carried out

Working Conditions

• Typical office situation
• Close exposure to computer monitors and video screen

Physical Effort Required

• Sitting at a desk or table
• Operate a telephone or other telecommunications device and communicate through the medium
• Type and use a keyboard and mouse to perform necessary computer-based functions
• Communicating through speech in the English language required

(JC)

Metro is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status, or disability. Learn more about Metro’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program . Metro does not deny participation in the application process to anyone with prior justice system involvement, in line with Fair Chance hiring practices.

Selection Procedure

Applicants who best meet job-related qualifications will be invited to participate in the examination process that may consist of any combination of written, performance, or oral appraisal to further evaluate job-related experience, knowledge, skills and abilities.

Application Procedure

To apply, visit Metro's website at www.metro.net and complete an online Employment Application.
Computers are available to complete online Employment Applications at the following Metro locations:

METRO Headquarters, Employment Office
One Gateway Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Open: Monday through Friday, 8am-4pm
(Closed Sat & Sun)

Metro Talent Hub
8501 S. Evermont Place
Los Angeles, CA 90044
Open: Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm
(Closed Sat & Sun)

East Los Angeles Customer Center
4501 B Whittier Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90022
Open: Tuesday through Saturday, 10am to 6pm
(Closed Sun & Mon)

Wilshire/Vermont Customer Center
3183 Wilshire Blvd, Ste 174
Los Angeles, CA 90010
Open: Monday through Friday, 10am-6pm
(Closed Sat & Sun)

Rosa Parks Customer Center
Willowbrook/Rosa Parks Station
11720 Wilmington Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90059
Open: Monday through Friday, 6am to 6:30pm
(Closed Sat & Sun)

Telephone: (213) 922-6217 or persons with hearing or speech impairments can use California Relay Service 711 to contact Metro.

All completed online Employment Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the closing date. Late applications will not be considered.

*Open to the public and all Metro employees

This job bulletin is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Employees may be required to perform other related job duties.

*Please refer to the applicable benefit type (Regular or Temporary)*

BENEFITS FOR REGULAR EMPLOYEES

Benefits cover probationary or regular full-time (working at least 40 hrs/week) employees of Metro.

We offer a range of high-quality medical, dental and vision plan options as well as health care spending accounts for you and your family. Metro will cover a significant portion of your health care premiums.

Medical/Dental/Vision Plan- Employee has the choice of 3 separate medical plans and 3 dental plans. A separate vision plan is included in each medical plan.

Group Life Insurance- PTSC pays for an amount equal to your annual salary, rounded up to the nearest $1,000. Minimum amount of life insurance is $30,000.

Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance- PTSC provides $50,000 coverage for each employee. Additional voluntary coverage in amounts up to $500,000 is available at favorable premium rates.

Long-Term Disability Insurance- 100% employer paid. Provides employees with a minimum income of 60% of earnings after six months of disability. Buy up or buy down options available.

Holidays- 12 days a year: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans' Day, Cesar E Chavez, Juneteenth,Thanksgiving Day, Day After Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.

Time off with Pay (TOWP)- Compensates employees who are on approved absence from work for reasons such as illness, injury, medical and dental appointments, personal business, vacation, or observance of (a) religious holiday.
Years of Service Annual Accrual
Hire date - 5 years20 days
Beginning of 6th - 10th year25 days
Beginning of 11th - 15th year30 days
Beginning of 16th + years35 days

Pension Plan- PTSC retirement plan is the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). Vesting is five (5) years. Minimum retirement age is 52, based on the 2% at 62 formula.

Other Benefits: Transportation passes for employees and/or eligible dependents; Medicare; Tuition reimbursement; credit union membership; SDI; Deferred Compensation Plan; 401(K) Thrift plan; EAP; Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts; Flexible work schedules; and Jury Duty Pay.

BENEFITS FOR TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES

Temporary (Contingent) employees are eligible for the following benefits only:

• Kaiser medical insurance
• Public Pension Plan
• 457/401K Plan
• Flex Spending
• Paid Sick Time
• Fare Media
• Rideshare Subsidies
• Metro One Fitness membership

For more information on the Benefits Enrollment for Contingent Employees, please visit LA Metro’s Pension & Benefits website at www.benefits.metro.net .

Closing Date/Time: 10/1/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

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• Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority - LA Metro

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