Warranty Specialist (Rail)

Basic Function

Responsible for development, execution, oversight and reporting of the rail warranty program.  Maximizes warranty recovery efforts for failed components and equipment.  Provides statistical data, and database system reports to provide qualitative information on effectiveness and efficiency of warranty related programs.  Reviews and revises rail warranty procedures.  Assists with the preparation of all Rail related scopes of work, specifications, and evaluations of all warranty related contractual language for new inventory, external repairs, and Rail contract services. Performs duties in a safe, efficient manner and in compliance with applicable rules and safety procedures.

Responsibilities and Specific Duties

• Develops and implements efforts to standardize warranty procedures within the Rail Operations Department to initiate, track, status of warranty claims, reports projections vs. actual recovery.  
• Assists with evaluating contracts, scopes of work, rail assets and components, rail contract services for purposes of establishing warranty.  
• Develops and implements warranty tracking system for warranty failures, warranty claims and financial records, database records, asset files, and contracts requirements.
• Assists Rail Operations personnel with training in warranty procedures and guidelines and filing of warranty claims.  
• Assists Rail Operations subject matter experts and contract administrators to ensure vendor compliance with contractual warranty specifications is achieved.  
• Coordinates projects with Rail Operations subject matter experts and contract administrators and generates reports regarding warranty related defects, campaigns, and major failures.
• Investigates and processes rail related warranty claims to ensure maximum recovery of replacement parts and/or services or monies are returned to METRO.  
• Inspects failed parts at rail warranty store locations and ships to vendor for warranty recovery efforts.
• Negotiates with vendors for settlement of warranty issues to determine acceptable settlement of warranty claims.
• Develops and maintains a database system for warranty claims filed to vendor for compliance with Metro's audit procedures. 
• Assists in generating a cost avoidance month-end report to cover all off-site vendor repairs for compliance with Metro's audit procedures.  
• Assists in generating a cost-avoidance year-end report to cover all campaigns, fleet defects, parts credit, cash received, adjustments and expenses for compliance with Metro's audit procedures.  
• Provides excellent customer service to METRO internal and external customers.
• Applies SMS (Safety Management System) methods and principles in daily routine and supports all aspects of the agency’s Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP).
• Promotes safety awareness and follows safety procedures to reduce or eliminate accidents.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
   

Education Requirement

High school diploma or equivalent. Additional college/technical/vocational training courses preferred.

Years & Experience Required

Minimum five (5) years related experience in Rail/Bus/Aviation-related electrical/mechanical maintenance, rail vehicle 
maintenance or rail wayside maintenance.  Strong knowledge of warranty processes and failure analysis and reporting.

Knowledge & Skills Required

Good organizational, analytical, written and verbal communications skills. Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills. Proficiency using maintenance management systems such as SAP, Trapeze, and Spear is desired. Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and Word.
 

Additional Information

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas has a zero tolerance drug and alcohol policy for all employees. All internal and external applicants will be required to undergo drug testing before employment and will be subject to further drug and/or alcohol testing throughout their employment.

Further, employees who perform safety-sensitive functions will submit to drug and/or alcohol testing in accordance to the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulatory requirements.

We provide equal opportunity to all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, veteran status, genetic information or disability.