Subject Matter Expert – Rail Verification & Validation (V&V)

Job Title

Subject Matter Expert – Rail Verification & Validation (V&V)

Role Summary

demonstrate compliance, safety (SIL), RAMS, and fitness-for-purpose

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Governance

• Define the

  project-wide V&V strategy and management plan

  aligned to EN 50126/29 and EN 50716, including lifecycle activities, deliverables, and acceptance criteria (V-model).
• Establish and chair

  V&V governance

  (reviews, gates, audits), ensuring independence for IV&V activities and alignment with RAMS and Safety Case development.
• Author and maintain

  Verification & Validation Management Plan (VVMP)

  and

  Requirements Verification & Traceability Matrix (RVTM)

  ; drive configuration/change control for evidence.

Requirements, Interfaces & Traceability

• Lead

  requirements engineering

  for verifiability/validity; own bi‑directional traceability from

  hazards/SIL targets

  to requirements, tests, and certification evidence (DOORS/Polarion).
• Oversee

  interface control

  (ICDs) and certifiable elements, ensuring integration risks are addressed early with objective evidence.

Testing & Evidence

• Architect

  test strategies

  (lab/HITL/simulation, on‑train/site) for functional, integration, regression, performance, and safety‑related testing across onboard/trackside subsystems (CBTC/ETCS/interlocking/TCMS).
• Define

  test environments & tools

  , acceptance test procedures, defect management, and

  objective evidence

  required for Safety Case and certification.
• Plan and

  witness T&C

  (Testing & Commissioning) activities as part of IV&V issue independent findings and recommendations.

RAMS & Safety Case

• Lead

  RAMS activities

  (PHA, FMEA/FMECA, FTA, Markov), THR allocation, SIL justification,

  Safety Case

  authoring, and demonstration of compliance per EN 50126/29.
• Ensure alignment with ISA/O‑ISA assessments and regulatory expectations; coordinate with independent bodies (NoBo/DeBo/AsBo).

IV&V Delivery (when independent role applies)

• Plan

  IV&V audits, assessments, and reporting

  across lifecycle phases; provide early visibility of Safety/Functionality/RAM/Quality risks and mitigation.
• Manage certification readiness: compile

  formal certification packages

  (design conformance, test results, hazard closure, O&M readiness).

Leadership & Enablement

• Mentor project teams on

  best practices

  in requirements/testability, safety analysis, and evidence generation; run training aligned to EN 5012x.
• Drive continuous improvement (KPIs, lessons learned), tool qualification, and

  cybersecurity considerations

  now embedded in EN 50716.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education:

  Bachelor’s/Master’s in Systems, Electrical/Electronics, Computer/Software, or Control Engineering.

• Experience:

  10–15+ years in rail systems engineering/V&V with

  safety‑critical systems

  ; demonstrable track record delivering to

  EN 50126/29

  and software standards (

  EN 50716 / legacy EN 50128

  ).

• Methods/Tools:

  DOORS/Polarion (RVTM), test management, defect tracking; RAMS analyses (FMEA/FTA/Markov); HITL/simulation; Safety Case authoring.

• Standards & Assurance:

  Deep knowledge of

  SIL allocation/THR

  , Safety Case structure, and IV&V practice for rail programs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Delivery experience on

  CBTC/ETCS/interlocking/TCMS

  programs with multi‑vendor integration and complex interfaces.
• Exposure to

  O‑ISA/ISA

  engagements and regulatory certification pathways (NoBo/DeBo/AsBo).
• Familiarity with

  California HSR VVMP/IV&V practices

  or similar mega‑projects (evidence frameworks, CEHL, DOORS linking).
• Awareness of

  EN 50716 cybersecurity additions

  and IEC 62443/CLC TS 50701 links.

Core Competencies

• Systems Thinking & Risk Management:

  Translate hazard/risk analyses into verifiable requirements and tests; anticipate integration risks early.

• Technical Writing & Evidence:

  Produce defensible, audit‑ready documentation and certification packages.

• Stakeholder Leadership:

  Influence design, safety, commissioning, and regulatory stakeholders; facilitate resolution of certification blockers.

Key Deliverables

• V&V Strategy &

  VVMP

  ;

  RVTM

  ; V&V dashboards and risk logs.
• Test strategies/plans/cases;

  objective evidence

  bundles (reports, logs, defect closures).
• RAMS analyses (PHA, FMEA, FTA),

  SIL allocation

  basis, and

  Safety Case

  .
• IV&V audit reports,

  certification readiness

  statements, and final recommendations.

Success Metrics (KPIs)

• Requirements Coverage & Traceability:

  % requirements verified/validated; closed hazard actions vs. plan.

• Defect Closure Effectiveness:

  Mean time to resolve safety‑critical defects; zero open SIL‑impacting issues at gate.

• Test Maturity:

  % planned tests executed/passed across lab/site; evidence completeness score for certification.

• Certification Readiness:

  Timely Safety Case approval; successful ISA/O‑ISA findings with no major non‑conformities.

Tools & Platforms

• Requirements & Risk:

  IBM DOORS / Polarion for RVTM and CEHL linkage; hazard logs.

• Test & Simulation:

  HITL benches, emulators/simulators; automated test frameworks; lab/site data acquisition.

• Assurance & Reporting:

  Safety Case repositories; IV&V audit templates; conformance checklists (design, construction, O&M).

Working Model

• Operates across design, build, integration, T&C, and entry‑into‑service; may serve as

  independent assessor

  on certain work packages per contract.
• Interfaces with

  System Engineering, Safety Assurance (ISA/O‑ISA), Test & Commissioning, Quality

  , and regulatory bodies.