Rail Project Manager

About the role

Wilson & Company is seeking a Rail Project Manager to lead freight rail, track, terminal, intermodal, industrial, yard, main line, and related civil infrastructure projects. This client-focused seller-doer will guide multidisciplinary teams, manage scope, schedule, budget, quality, risk, project controls, mentor technical staff, and strengthen long-term rail client relationships from concept development through final design and construction support.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, design, and delivery of freight rail, rail track, main line, yard, terminal, intermodal, industrial rail, and related civil/site infrastructure projects.
• Define and manage project scopes, schedules, budgets, work plans, staffing needs, deliverables, and project execution strategies.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for Class I railroads, short line railroads, industrial rail clients, transit agencies, public agencies, municipalities, subconsultants, and internal project stakeholders.
• Oversee development of technical reports, analyses, design plans, design criteria, specifications, estimates, schedules, contract documents, project guides, meeting notes, project controls, and other deliverables.
• Provide quality oversight, perform or coordinate detailed QC reviews, and ensure project work complies with client standards, AREMA, FRA, DOT, local railroad/transit criteria, applicable codes, regulatory requirements, and established design criteria.
• Cook up field assessments, site visits, stakeholder meetings, construction reviews, and construction-phase support activities as needed.
• Mentor and develop engineers, EITs, designers, and junior project staff while promoting collaboration, accountability, and technical excellence.
• Support proposal development, scope and fee preparation, interviews, client presentations, and business development initiatives for future rail opportunities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a related engineering discipline, Professional Engineer license.
• 10+ years of progressive rail, freight rail, rail track, terminal, intermodal, transit, or related civil infrastructure experience.
• Experience serving as project manager or deputy project manager on rail or transportation infrastructure projects on Class I railroads, short line railroads, industrial rail clients, intermodal facilities, rail-served industrial sites, yards, terminals, main line projects, public agencies, or transit agencies.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary project teams and coordinating with clients, railroads, agencies, subconsultants, and internal stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of engineering standards, permitting processes, regulatory requirements, contract documents, project controls, and client-specific design criteria, including railroad and transportation industry criteria such as AREMA, FRA, DOT, local railroad criteria, transit criteria and applicable freight rail or transportation design standards.
• Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel as needed for project assignments, client coordination, and site visits.
• Familiarity with MicroStation, OpenRail Designer, OpenRoads Designer, AutoCAD Civil 3D, or similar CADD/modeling platforms used by rail design teams.
• Proven ability to develop client relationships, win work, prepare proposals, negotiate scope and fees, and identify future project opportunities.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor staff, build high-performing teams, and drive continuous improvement in project delivery.

Qualifications

• Preferred Qualifications
• Annual salary range: $130,000-$175,000 (Depending on experience, qualifications, licensure, role level, and location. Please note that Wilson & Company is not currently sponsoring applicants for work visas.)

Benefits

At Wilson & Company, we support our employees’ success and well-being with a comprehensive benefits package, including options for health insurance, life insurance, disability coverage, paid time off, and retirement savings plans. We are proud to be an EEO employer and maintain a drug-free workplace, conducting pre-employment background checks.

Pay

Annual salary range: $130,000-$175,000 (Depending on experience, qualifications, licensure, role level, and location. Please note that Wilson & Company is not currently sponsoring applicants for work visas.)

Schedule

Not specified