Executive Rail Engineering Leader

South Shore Line; Michigan City (IN); On-site; USD 144,000 - 176,000; Full time

Job summary

N I C T D, operator of the South Shore Line, seeks an experienced Chief Engineering Officer to lead the Engineering Department, overseeing track, structures, line, and signal assets. This role emphasizes safety, compliance, and equipment reliability across inspection, maintenance, and capital projects.

The position requires a hands-on leader who develops supervisors, enforces safety rules, and plans preventive maintenance while coordinating with other departments to ensure safe and reliable

Qualifications

• Significant progressively responsible experience in railroad track/maintenance-of-way engineering.
• Experience supervising railroad maintenance employees and frontline supervisors.
• Strong knowledge of FRA Track Safety Standards and other federal regulations.
• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or related discipline; PE licensure desirable.
• Travel throughout NICTD service territory.
• Ability to lead and develop engineers and maintain safety-first culture.

Responsibilities

• Provide visible field leadership for safety within the Engineering Department.
• Direct inspection, maintenance, repair, and renewal of track and ROW assets.
• Direct safe operation and maintenance of line and signal assets; ensure regulatory compliance.
• Plan, budget, and coordinate with other departments to minimize service impact.
• Develop and enforce maintenance programs; review inspections and corrective actions.

Skills

Railroad engineering leadership

Maintenance supervision

Safety leadership

Track inspection knowledge

FRA Track Safety Standards

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering

Professional Engineer licensure desirable

Job description

N I C T D, operator of the South Shore Line, seeks an experienced Chief Engineering Officer to lead the Engineering Department, overseeing track, structures, line, and signal assets. This role emphasizes safety, compliance, and equipment reliability across inspection, maintenance, and capital projects.

The position requires a hands-on leader who develops supervisors, enforces safety rules, and plans preventive maintenance while coordinating with other departments to ensure safe and reliable