Rail Alignment Project Manager - Transportation

AECOM Middle East Ltd; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 400,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

AECOM Middle East Ltd seeks a Rail Alignment Project Manager to lead technically demanding transportation projects in Riyadh. You will oversee multiple rail programs across metro, light rail, conventional and high-speed rail, ensuring delivery, governance, and strong client relationships.

Ideal candidates bring a bachelor’s in civil/rail engineering, 12+ years in rail alignment design and leadership, plus a track record of managing project profitability and risk across diverse teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil/Railway Engineering or related field.
• 12+ years of railway alignment design and engineering experience across rail modes.
• Master's degree preferred; professional registration (PE/CEng) advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of railway and transportation clients with multiple concurrent projects and delivery commitments.
• Direct rail alignment and engineering activities across metro, light rail, conventional railway, and high-speed rail programs.
• Maintain accountability for revenue, profitability, technical quality, schedule performance, and client satisfaction.
• Lead complex projects involving significant technical, commercial, or delivery risks.
• Establish project objectives, execution strategies, resource requirements, and performance expectations.
• Supervise Project Managers responsible for individual projects or programs.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams and ensure effective risk management.

Skills

Railway alignment design

Rail engineering

Transportation engineering

Program delivery

Project management

Risk management

Commercial management

Revenue management

Cost control

Schedule management

Project governance

Technical leadership

Civil engineering

Client relationship management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering / Railway Engineering / Transportation Engineering

Master's degree in Transportation Engineering / Railway Engineering

PE / CEng advantageous

Job description

Rail Alignment Project Manager - Transportation

Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Industry: Engineering

Function: Project Management

Experience: Minimum 12 years

Job Type: Full-time

Country: Saudi Arabia City: Riyadh Industry: Engineering Function: Project Management Salary: Not disclosed Gender: Any Candidate Nationality: Any Job Type: Full-time

Role Context

The Rail Alignment Project Manager will take ownership of technically demanding transportation projects while managing relationships across a portfolio of clients. The position connects railway engineering knowledge with commercial accountability, project governance, risk management, and leadership of multiple Project Managers. Success will be measured through dependable delivery, protected profit margins, repeat client business, effective management of uncertainty, and the ability to prevent technical or contractual issues from developing into claims.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of railway and transportation clients with multiple concurrent projects and delivery commitments.
• Direct rail alignment and associated engineering activities across metro, light rail, conventional railway, and high-speed rail programs.
• Maintain accountability for project revenue, profitability, technical quality, schedule performance, and client satisfaction.
• Build strong client relationships through consistent execution and identify opportunities for repeat project assignments.
• Lead complex projects involving significant technical, commercial, contractual, or delivery risks.
• Establish clear project objectives, execution strategies, resource requirements, schedules, and performance expectations.
• Supervise Project Managers responsible for individual projects or coordinated programs of work.
• Exercise decision-making authority on significant project issues and provide direction where delivery uncertainty requires senior intervention.
• Identify Risk Triggering Factors and establish practical mitigation measures before they affect project outcomes.
• Monitor project financial performance to protect planned margins and prevent write-downs or multiplier erosion.
• Direct teams to recognize contractual exposure early and implement measures that reduce the potential for claims.
• Coordinate civil, railway, transportation systems, and other technical disciplines involved in alignment-related project delivery.
• Maintain effective communication with clients, project leadership, technical teams, contractors, and relevant stakeholders.
• Review delivery performance across the project portfolio and intervene where cost, schedule, quality, or technical objectives are at risk.
• Support resolution of complex technical and commercial matters while maintaining productive client relationships.
• Promote disciplined project controls, accurate reporting, effective resource deployment, and accountable decision-making.
• Guide Project Managers in managing risk, uncertainty, client expectations, and multidisciplinary delivery requirements.

Ideal Profile Candidates

Candidates should hold a bachelor 's degree in Civil Engineering, Railway Engineering, Transportation Engineering, or a related discipline and possess at least 12 years of relevant railway alignment design and engineering experience. Substantial project exposure across rail, metro, light rail, high-speed rail, or major transportation infrastructure is required. The role particularly suits professionals who have progressed beyond technical railway engineering into project leadership, client management, commercial performance, and oversight of multiple project teams. A master 's degree in Transportation Engineering, Railway Engineering, or a closely related discipline is preferred. Professional registration such as PE, CEng, or an equivalent engineering credential is advantageous. Strong candidates will demonstrate sound commercial judgment, knowledge of rail alignment delivery, project risk management capability, and the confidence to direct Project Managers handling complex assignments.

Skills Set

• Railway alignment design
• Rail engineering
• Transportation engineering
• Metro projects
• Light rail
• High-speed rail
• Railway infrastructure
• Project Management
• Client portfolio management
• Program delivery
• Multidisciplinary coordination
• Project risk management
• Risk Triggering Factors
• Claims avoidance
• Commercial management
• Project profitability
• Revenue management
• Cost control
• Schedule management
• Project controls
• Client relationship management
• Engineering coordination
• Resource planning
• Project governance
• Technical leadership
• Civil engineering
• Project performance reporting
• PE
• CEng

Why Join Us

Riyadh 's major investment in rail and transportation infrastructure creates strong demand for project leaders who combine technical railway knowledge with commercial and delivery accountability. This role offers the opportunity to manage sophisticated transport assignments, influence major project decisions, oversee multiple Project Managers, and build long-term client relationships. It also provides exposure to multidisciplinary programs where effective risk control and technical leadership directly influence profitability and successful infrastructure delivery.

About the Company

AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting organization delivering engineering, planning, design, program management, and construction management services. Its transportation teams work across major rail and transit programs, combining technical engineering expertise with project leadership and multidisciplinary delivery capabilities.