Sam Babaeiha

About Sam Babaeiha

Sam Babaeiha is CapMetro’s Program Manager for Rolling Stock and Support Equipment, providing strategic, data-driven leadership and technical oversight across the full fleet lifecycle. Reporting to the Vice President & EVP, he leads the planning, design, procurement, integration, commissioning, and lifecycle management of rail vehicles, buses, demand response, non-revenue, police, and specialty vehicles, along with the supporting infrastructure required for safe, reliable revenue operations.An electrical engineer and senior rail and transit vehicles and systems leader with nearly 20 years of national and international experience, Sam brings deep expertise in rolling stock, systems engineering and integration, regulatory compliance, and fleet modernization. His approach is highly analytical, leveraging performance metrics, lifecycle cost analysis, reliability data, and risk-based decision-making to optimize fleet outcomes. His background spans vehicle specifications, OEM and supplier engagement, contract and delivery oversight, testing and commissioning, acceptance and warranty management, and long-term reliability and maintainability planning.Sam has contributed to major programs including Project Connect and Austin Light Rail, the TTC Toronto Rocket subway and 100% low-floor LRV and streetcar programs, CTA subway, Ontario Line Metrolinx, and LRV fleets, commuter rail systems, and zero-emission vehicle initiatives. Known for a collaborative, disciplined, data driven, analytically rigorous and transformational leadership style, he translates complex technical and operational data into clear, actionable strategies that advance CapMetro’s mission and support Austin’s evolving transit future.

Experience

1. Program Manager, Rolling Stock & Support Equipment

   CapMetro

   Jan 2026 — Present · Austin, TX, US

   Providing strategic leadership, technical expertise, program management across the entire fleet lifecycle portfolio, encompassing the critical functions of design, development, procurement, and integration of complex transit systems including Austin Light Rail, freight and commuter rail, fixed route bus, demand response, police, non-revenue vehicles, specialty vehicles and support to systems infrastructure and integration required for revenue operations. As a senior leader organizes, and administers agency systems and technologies through strong policy, governance, and demonstrated technical excellence across assigned disciplines.• Rolling Stock Oversight & ComplianceLead the planning, design, procurement, integration, commissioning, and lifecycle management of rail vehicles, buses, demand response, non-revenue, and specialty vehicles.Establish and enforce engineering standards, technical specifications, and regulatory compliance in accordance with FTA, FRA, industry standards• Planning, Safety & Risk ManagementSupport Safety Management Systems (SMS) and lead technical investigations to enhance safety assurance, operational reliability, and continuous risk mitigation across fleet programs.• Project, Contract & Budget ManagementDirect complex capital programs, budgets, schedules, risks, contracts, and vendor performance to ensure on-time, on-budget delivery of fleet and equipment initiatives.• Stakeholder Engagement & Executive AdvisoryServe as a senior technical advisor and Subject Matter Expert (SME), translating complex technical challenges into clear, actionable recommendations for executive leadership.Collaborate closely with internal teams, consultants, vendors, regulators, and external partners to align technical, operational, and strategic objectives.• Leadership & Team DevelopmentLead, mentor, and develop cross-functional technical teams while strengthening internal engineering capabilities, governance frameworks, and organizational resilience.

Education

• The George Washington University School of Business

  Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Finance, Operations Management, International Business, General Management

  2014 — 2017

• Toronto Metropolitan University

  Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) - Electrical Engineering, Power Systems & Electronics

  2002 — 2006

• The George Washington University - School of Engineering & Applied Science

  Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, Engineering Management

  2018