Freight Rail Client Team Leader / Senior Project Manager - College Station, TX

David Evans and Associates, Inc.; College Station (TX); Hybrid; USD 165,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401k plan

Paid holidays

PTO

Professional development

Flexible schedule

Employee bonus program

Job summary

David Evans and Associates, Inc. seeks a Freight Rail Client Team Leader / Senior Project Manager to lead strategic market development and client management across rail projects. The role emphasizes delivering high-quality projects, mentoring staff, and managing cross-unit services.

The position offers remote work flexibility with initial in-person onboarding, and requires PE licensure, a civil engineering degree, and 10+ years of rail-focused experience. Travel will be periodic as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or related field.
• PE license required.
• 10+ years of civil engineering design experience, rail focus.
• Experience with railroad design guidelines and project delivery.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to travel for client visits and project work.

Responsibilities

• Identify and pursue new rail market opportunities and clients.
• Manage full lifecycle client relationships and cross-unit selling.
• Lead projects ensuring on-time, on-budget delivery and high quality.
• Mentor and manage junior engineers and project managers.
• Oversee staffing, bids, and client profitability.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Business development

Project management

Travel flexibility

Education

Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

Project management software

Job description

Freight Rail Client Team Leader / Senior Project Manager

Transportation Jobs With David Evans And Associates

At David Evans and Associates, Inc. (DEA), our Transportation team solves modern transportation challenges by combining innovation, sustainability, and a commitment to our clients. Through cutting‑edge engineering practices, we deliver unique solutions designed to provide an exceptional client experience. DEA meets the demands of modern transportation with a diverse range of services tailored to our clients’ evolving needs. From enhancing existing transportation networks to pioneering new mobility solutions, our expertise helps shape a future where safe, efficient, and accessible mobility improves the quality of life in the communities we serve.

Transit and Rail Practice

We are seeking a Freight Rail Client Team Leader / Senior Project Manager in one of the following locations: Denver, CO; Boise, ID; Coeur d'Alene, ID; Portland, OR; College Station, TX; Salt Lake City, UT; Bellevue, WA; Bellingham, WA; Everett, WA; Olympia, WA; Seattle, WA; Spokane, WA; Tacoma, WA; Tri-Cities, WA; Woodinville, WA; or Remote.

Remote Work Option: While this position may be performed remotely, new hires may be required to attend their first day and onboarding activities in person at a DEA office. DEA will arrange and cover associated travel costs.

What You’ll Do

Key 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.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What You Bring

Required 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.
• Ability to plan, organize and supervise work of medium to large staff of professionals and technicians.

Preferred Qualifications

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

What We Offer

We foster an environment where talented professionals have the freedom and support to do their most meaningful work. Our values and company culture form the foundation of our success, creating a positive and collaborative work environment. These guiding principles are vital to our continued achievements and unwavering commitment to improving the world around us.

As a member of our team, you will have the opportunity to cultivate and develop your skills and work alongside talented colleagues who are committed to improving the quality of life while demonstrating stewardship of the built and natural environments.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health coverage: Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, and Life Insurance, for employees and their families
• Financial wellness: Health Savings Account (HSA) and Lifestyle Spending Account with employer contributions
• Professional development: Support for continuing education and training opportunities
• Work Schedule: Flexible work schedules including a 9/80 schedule - every other Friday off!
• Paid Time Off (PTO) program: Paid time off (PTO) with increased accrual based on years of service (up to 200 hours)
• Paid Holidays: 7 paid holidays per year
• Retirement: 401k plan with employer match program
• 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
• Employee bonus program: Eligible employees may participate in DEA's employee bonus program, which is based on company profitability.
• Potential salary range: $165,000/annually - $240,000/annually
• The posted salary range represents the typical range for this position and is provided in accordance with applicable state and local pay transparency laws. Actual compensation will be commensurate with experience, qualifications, and geographic location.

Potential office locations include: Denver, CO; Boise, ID; Coeur d'Alene, ID; Portland, OR; College Station, TX; Salt Lake City, UT; Bellevue, WA; Bellingham, WA; Everett, WA; Olympia, WA; Seattle, WA; Spokane, WA; Tacoma, WA; Tri-Cities, WA; Woodinville, WA; Remote.