Freight Rail Client Team Leader / Senior Project Manager, Transit and Rail - Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

About the role

The Transit and Rail Practice at David Evans and Associates, Inc. is seeking a Freight Rail Client Team Leader / Senior Project Manager. This role contributes to both project management and business development efforts to support the Transit and Rail Group.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Market Development: Identify and evaluate new market opportunities in alignment with the team. Develop and implement strategies to target and pursue specific new clients and projects.
• Business Development: Manage full lifecycle relationships with clients, selling all DEA services across business units. Develop new business, lead cross-unit selling, forecast sales, and stay updated on client technology trends.
• Client Management: Build and maintain strong client relationships, ensuring high client satisfaction, conducting experience surveys, and representing the DEA Difference. Lead client contract negotiations. Serve as a high-level point of contact between the client(s) and DEA.
• Project Management: Act as principal-in-charge or project manager as needed, monitor project manager performance, coach other PMs on client expectations. Manage contractual responsibilities and mitigate project risks. Ensure clients receive timely, budget-conscious, high-quality project deliverables that meet or exceed industry standards.
• Leadership and Mentoring: Manage, lead, and mentor junior engineers and project managers, fostering their professional growth and supporting them in delivering high-quality project contributions.
• Team and Resource Leadership: Lead pursuit staffing and partner decisions, make go/no-go decisions, and oversee revenue forecasting and client profitability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a related engineering field.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in civil engineering design, with a focus on freight rail land development projects. Experience within the railroad engineering industry and familiarity with railroad design guidelines, specifications, and design criteria.
• Strong ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
• Ability to travel periodically for client visits, business development and project work.
• Experience with delivering projects for UPRR, BNSF, CPKC, NS and/or industry rail.
• Proven track record in winning and delivering projects and building transportation business.
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office software and communication tools.
• Excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and organizational traits. Strong technical writing abilities, and effectiveness in presenting to clients and the public.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to serve DEA and our clients as a technical expert with recognized authority in an area of specialization.

What We Offer?

• Comprehensive health coverage: Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, and Life Insurance.
• Financial wellness: Health Savings Account (HSA) and Lifestyle Spending Account with employer contributions.
• Professional development: Support for continuing education and training opportunities.
• Work-life balance: Paid Time Off (PTO) and Holiday Pay.
• Work Schedule: Flexible 9/80 schedule—every other Friday off!
• Retail: 401k plan.
• Wellbeing focus: Holistic Wellbeing Program centered on physical, emotional, financial, career, and community health.
• Growth opportunities: Access to mentorship, professional support, and pathways for career advancement.

Potential Salary Range

$165,000 - $240,000

Actual compensation will be commensurate with experience, qualifications, and geographic location.