Digital Signs Engineer

SALARY

$80,000 - $100,000

POSITION SUMMARY

Under direction, the Digital Signs Engineer manages, maintains, and enhances the several hundreds of digital signage displays installed at CTA's rail stations and bus stops across the city. These signs provide real-time arrival times, service alerts, and customer information. This role involves troubleshooting issues, coordinating with several vendors, coordinating with the CTA network and field teams for maintaining existing technologies, implementing new technologies, and optimizing performance across the digital signage network.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Monitors and maintains the digital signage infrastructure across CTA bus and rail stations.
• Troubleshoots hardware and software issues, ensuring real-time data accuracy and system uptime.
• Develops and maintains Linux shell scripting (KSH, BASH) and PowerShell scripting for automation and system management.
• Collaborates with cross-functional teams to enhance system performance and resolve technical issues.
• Ensures compliance with CTA's standards for accessibility, reliability, security and customer information.
• Supports emergency messaging capabilities, ensuring signs display critical alerts as needed.
• Implements system upgrades and improvements, including software updates, new display integrations, and networking enhancements.
• Develops and deploys applications using Python for automation, integration, and system enhancements.
• Manages and troubleshoots VMware-based server environments for system reliability and optimization.
• Collaborates with IT, transit operations, and vendors to improve digital signage functionality.
• Analyzes system performance metrics and proactively resolve potential failures.
• Implements security best practices, including certificate management, encryption protocols, and system hardening.
• Work with browser internals (Chrome, Edge, etc.) to ensure compatibility and security in enterprise environments.
• Work extensively with Ubuntu (recent and past versions) for system configurations, security, and performance tuning.
• Manages and optimizes relational databases (MSSQL, Oracle, MySQL) with expertise in queries and script development.
• Administers self-signed certificates, RSA keys, SSH configurations, and networking protocols (TCP/UDP, port segmentation).
• Provide technical expertise in content management systems.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to this position may include the following jobs:

Job Title

N/A

CHALLENGES

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in information technology, Computer Science, or a related field with three (3) years of experience in system administration engineering with expertise in Ubuntu/Linux Server environments.
• Experience with real-time data feeds, APIs, and content management systems (CMS).
• Experience working with self-signed certificates, security protocols, and encryption mechanisms.
• Certifications in Linux, Windows Server, or VMware preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Requires remaining in a stationary position for extended periods of time and constantly operating a computer and other office productivity machinery.
• Service Area Requirement: Exempt (Non-Union) employees must live within the boundaries of the CTA Statutory Service Area either at the time of employment or within 6 months of beginning employment at CTA.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams.
• Strong Linux shell scripting (KSH, BASH) and PowerShell scripting skills.
• Strong Python programming skills for system automation and integrations.
• Working knowledge of MSSQL, Oracle, MySQL etc.
• Detailed knowledge of networking protocols (TCP/UDP, port segmentation, SSH, RSA keys, etc.).
• Detailed knowledge of VMware-based server management for virtualization and system optimization.
• Detailed knowledge hardware, software, networking, and cloud-based signage platforms.
• Working knowledge of LED/LCD signage technology and digital display controllers.
• Working knowledge of real-time transit information systems (GTFS, GTFS-RT, etc.).

WORKING CONDITIONS

• General office environment.
• Ability to work on-site, including occasional field visits to troubleshoot in transit stations.

EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, AND MATERIALS UTILIZED

• Standard office equipment.
• Personal computer and related software as needed.