Software Engineer Intern

The MBTA Reliability Engineering department facilitates and assures safe and reliable service and performance of each transport mode. The objectives of Reliability Engineering are:

• To achieve and then maintain a state of good repair for all infrastructure and vehicle assets.
• Model and predict asset performance and reliability.
• Introduce a continuous improvement ethos to improve quality of infrastructure and compliance.
• Develop technical documentation in repository, accessible to relevant stakeholders.

The Reliability & Configuration Engineering team, within the Reliability Engineering department, is responsible for documenting processes and procedures for asset data and lifecycle management as well as providing technical guidance, supporting Enterprise Asset Management (EAMS) systems.

The Reliability & Configuration Engineering team is seeking two interns whose studies focus on Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field to work on various projects with existing staff and its consultants. The intern will work directly with the Software Developer on the Reliability & Configuration Engineering team as well as report to the Director of Reliability Engineering under the Office of the Chief Engineer.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities 

• Assist with existing software development projects, including the following:
  • Greenfield development of automated processes, web applications for desktop and mobile devices in-the-field, primarily in Python and TypeScript (React)
  • Development and implementation of computerized software development reporting, analytics, and dashboards, in Splunk and Tableau
  • Examining and implementing automated solutions to reliability data gathering and organizing against the Enterprise Asset Management system (EAMS)
  • Investigating and documenting application programming interface (API) behaviors, following OpenAPI documentation standards
  • Architecting a cross-browser extension for streamlining and simplifying end-user processes
  • Configuring and building unit-testing solutions and automated validations, in a mix of Windows-based command-line tools, Python, and GitHub Actions workflows
• Assist with project coordination, including organizing meetings and communicating with consultants and other departments on project needs and deliverables.
• Create reports and presentations.
• Engage with industry-standard agile software development practices, such as git workflows, code reviews, scrum, and retrospectives.
• Participate in team / staff meetings, organization events, fieldwork, project teams, or other duties as needed.
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

* The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe the general nature and complexity of the work being performed by staff assigned to this job and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position. The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Minimum Education 

• Enrolled, for entire duration of employment, in the Bachelor’s degree program of an accredited college / university in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field.
  • This position is only open to undergraduate students.

Minimum Experience and Required Skills

• Ability to work in-person three (3) days per week at 10 Park Plaza and one (1) day per week at 21 Arlington Ave (MBTA Engineering & Maintenance Charleston Office)
  • Ability to work in-person for the full work week is preferred, as this is likely to result in better experience given the nature of the work and the largely in-person work environment
• Ability to work and thrive in dynamic work environments
• Familiarity with industry-standard and cooperative software development practices such as Agile
• Above average proficiency in Microsoft Office applications
• Knowledge of Windows Server 2019
• Familiarity with various scripting tools and languages as well as database design and tools
• Familiarity with software development in Windows environments
• Python development skills and familiarity with Python ecosystem such as Pytest, Pylint / Flake8 / Black, and Pip / Pipenv / Virtual environments
• Above average project management, analytical, organizational, time management, and interpersonal skills
• Experience with Web application development, such as React, developing desktops and mobile devices using Progressive Web App tooling.
• Proficiency with XML/XSL, HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript.
• Experience with written reports and time estimates for upper management and stakeholders
• Ability to map business processes and implement them across departments
• Ability to work in an active railroad and maintenance environment and the physical constraints associated with the working environments
• Ability to effectively work with employees at all levels within the Authority, vendors, and individuals outside the agency
• Experience or interest in transit or transportation
• Above average analytical and problem-solving skills
• Above average attention to detail
• Excellent communication, analytical, and presentation skills
• Ability to independently commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
• Authorized to work in the United States (international students in CPT, STEM, or OPT programs through a university are eligible to apply).

* The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and complexity of the work being performed by staff assigned to this job and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required.