Track Design Engineer

At Mott MacDonald, a global employee‑owned consultancy, we deliver impactful engineering, management, and development services worldwide. As a Track Design Engineer in Austin, Texas, you will lead the design and coordination of track infrastructure for a major high‑profile light‑rail program, working in a fully integrated delivery environment and collaborating across civil, structural, systems, and station teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Undertake and oversee horizontal and vertical alignment design, including geometry, clearances, and constructability considerations.
• Develop track design packages, including plans, profiles, cross‑sections, and specifications.
• Coordinate closely with civil, structural, systems, and stations teams to ensure integrated and efficient design solutions.
• Support the development of track‑form solutions (e.g., ballasted, direct fixation, embedded track) appropriate to urban and corridor conditions.
• Ensure designs meet safety, operational, and maintenance requirements, including ride quality, durability, and resilience.
• Support interface coordination with key systems such as traction power, signaling, drainage, and utilities.
• Contribute to constructability reviews, phasing strategies, and staging plans within constrained urban environments.
• Support design‑management activities, including scope, schedule, quality, and risk management.
• Provide technical input into procurement, contractor engagement, and design reviews.
• Support testing, commissioning, and handover activities as required.
• Mentor junior engineers and help develop the track‑engineering capability within the team.
• Lead the design and delivery of track alignment and track‑form solutions across the corridor, including at‑grade and elevated sections.

Candidate Specification

• Technically strong and collaborative engineer with experience in rail track design.
• 7 + years of experience in railway track design within transit or infrastructure projects.
• BSc / MSc in Civil Engineering or a related discipline.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license in Texas, or ability to obtain reciprocity within 6 months.
• Proven experience in track alignment and track design, including urban/light rail or heavy rail systems.
• Strong understanding of track geometry, track‑form selection, and rail systems integration.
• Experience working within multidisciplinary rail design environments, coordinating across civil, structures, and systems.
• Familiarity with relevant track design standards, codes, and best practices (e.g., AREMA, local/state standards).
• Experience supporting design delivery on complex infrastructure programs, ideally within urban environments.
• Experience working in client‑facing or embedded delivery teams is preferred.
• Strong communication, coordination, and problem‑solving skills.

Additional Information

• Full‑time, Austin‑based position.
• Relocation support may be available for candidates moving to Austin.
• Opportunity to contribute to a once‑in‑a‑generation infrastructure program with long‑term impact on city mobility.
• Hybrid work approach: minimum three days per week in the office, emphasizing face‑to‑face collaboration.

Benefits & Rewards

• Individual pay determined by location, education, experience, and unique skills, with performance‑based bonuses.
• Comprehensive benefits: medical, dental, vision coverage; FSA and HSA accounts.
• Company‑paid life insurance, short‑term and long‑term disability coverage.
• Competitive 401(k) plan with company matching.
• Paid time off and paid holidays.
• Caregiver leave.
• Employee referral bonuses.
• Professional registration and membership reimbursements.
• Tuition assistance to support continued learning and career development.