Senior Interlocking (IXL) System Designer

Purpose:

• The Interlocking (IXL) is a system composed by Mechanical, Electromechanical, Electric, Electronic and Software components having the aim to ensure safe movements of trains.
• The purpose of the job is the identification and analysis of the customer and product requirements with the final target to define and design standardized IXL architectures (functional, physical and operational) and the related configurations of the IXL equipment (pre-fitted concept) suitable for Tenders, prototyping, series production and project deployment.
• The IXL System designer takes part to deployment of projects in case of specific issues or needs are identified along the project lifecycle requiring correcting/evolutive actions on the IXL architecture and prefitted solutions, with focus during the first deployment of the architecture/solution, ensuring proper verification and continuous improvement.

Key accountabilities:

• Block Design Development (consist the major part of the activities)
  • Single line signalling plan containing signal location, switch machine location and type, bungalow types and locations, platform locations and grades;
  • Single line signalling plan update with track circuits, IJs, speeds, interlocking zones, level crossing, approach limits and timers;
  • Double line signalling plan containing all information needed (including ETCS level2 information);
  • Signal sighting;
  • Safety braking calculation;
  • Route & Aspects chart for all the signals/routes;
  • Block Design Report.
•  In cooperation with Project IXL design leaders / Project Engineering Managers / Product develop team
  • Capture the customer architectural requirements
  • Capture all the internal and external interfaces of the IXL system
  • Capture the complexity of the yard layouts to be managed by the IXL system
  • Capture the environmental/climatic installation conditions of the IXL system
  • Identify the trackside equipment to be controlled and detected and the application conditions related to the trackside engineering
  • Identify the migration needs to be satisfied by the IXL solution (in case of brown-field project)
  • Evaluate the space constraints for the installation of the pre-fitted configurations of the IXL solution
  • Take into account the work methods constraints for the installation of the pre-fitted configurations of the IXL solution
  • Capture the IXL product application conditions
  • Capture the IXL product functional features and capabilities
• Project solution definition
  • define, among the available Alstom range of products or their evolutions, the components of the IXL Architecture composed by Central Interlocking Computer, Remote Area Controllers, HMI servers and Clients to satisfy the customer requirements;
  • define and lead the design of the pre-fitted solution of Central Interlocking Computer, Remote Area Controllers and Safe HMI Clients in terms of racks and cubicle housing, internal cabling, power supply needs and interfaces towards other subsystems/equipment;
  • organize and lead the activities for the production of an exhaustive documental set to permit the correct assembly and off-site testing (FAT) of the pre-fitted solutions;
  • define the IXL equipment breakdown (racks, electronic actuators, power supply, cabling) of the pre-fitted solution;
  • ensure the application and adherence to the reference processes applicable to the solution design, methods & tools, requesting deviations whenever appropriate;
• Support Installation and Test & Commissionning teams during the first installation of the solution and its testing. Takes into account the REX from the on site activities using them for continuous improvement of solution and documentation.
• Share and spread the knowledge of the IXL system architecture features to the project engineering community;
• Represent Alstom in front of customers, for instance to provide detailed explanation of the IXL architecture solution and features;
• Select and manage subcontractors (if any);
• Manage work packages or related tasks assigned for the definition of new IXL architecture and pre-fitted solutions

Educational Requirements:

• Engineering Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Electronic, Automation Engineering or related technical discipline
• P. Eng certification or in progress
• 5-10 years in relevant positions (systems / sub-systems application design or integration, electrotechnical product development) in a highly complex and normative environment (railway signaling, aerospace, defense).

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Desirable 

• Good analytical skill and previous experience in system design & integration;
• Knowledge of IXL Systems, safety principles and power supply background;
• Knowledge of IXL Alstom product;
• IXL application design;

Competencies & Skills:

Open-minded;

Multi-disciplinary approach;

Fluent in English;

(Self) entrepreneurial;

Problem setting and problem solving;

Sense of urgency;

Writing skills required: clarity, rigor, and concision.