Freight Rail Market Lead

HDR, Inc.; Vienna (VA); On-site; USD 182,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR, Inc. is seeking a Freight Rail Business Class Lead to oversee large programs in the Virginia/Vienna area. The role focuses on project management, staff coordination, and client-satisfaction across the Freight Rail market sector.

Ideal candidates will have extensive program management experience, strong leadership, and a track record of delivering complex rail projects. HDR offers an employee-owned culture and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field.
• Minimum 10 years of industry experience in planning, design or program management.
• Experience managing client relationships and multi-office teams.
• US Citizenship or eligible to work in the United States is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage railroad projects from concept through construction to ensure on-time delivery and quality.
• Coordinate staffing and workload across offices to meet project goals.
• Implement QA/QC procedures and monitor schedule and budget performance.
• Develop and deliver staff training and professional development opportunities.
• Foster and maintain relationships with existing and potential clients to pursue opportunities.
• Lead business development efforts for Freight Rail market sector and track opportunities.

Skills

Strong leadership

Excellent communication

Project management

Client relations

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

PMIS

CMIS

Scheduling software

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?
Watch Our Story:' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'

We believe transportation is more than movement, it's the foundation of connected, thriving communities. As part of HDR's Transportation Business Group, you'll help shape the systems that move people and goods safely, efficiently, and sustainably. From designing resilient highways and iconic bridges to advancing transit, passenger and freight rail, aviation, federal transportation ports and marine infrastructure, your work will directly support economic vitality, public safety, sustainable and resilient communities and quality of life. We bring together planners, engineers, architects, construction management staff, environmental, strategic communications, economists, management consultants and specialists across disciplines to solve complex mobility challenges with innovation, technical excellence, and a deep understanding of community needs. Whether you're modernizing aging infrastructure or pioneering next-generation transportation solutions, your contributions will help define the future of mobility. This isn't just a job, it's a chance to lead progress, drive meaningful impact, and leave a legacy of smarter, more connected transportation networks. We are all employee-owners at HDR, which is the foundation of our collaborative culture that connects employees around the world.
Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

HDR Engineering has an outstanding leadership opportunity for a Freight Rail Business Class Lead/Freight Rail Construction Services Lead to become a part of HDR's expanding Freight Rail Public Projects and Construction Management practices. The successful candidate will be client-focused and have the ability to proactively market and manage railroad-related industry and public projects. Leaders will be expected to grow and diversify our established freight and commuter rail practices and develop/manage staff involved with the planning, design, and field services for rail operations and infrastructure. They must have the ability to serve as a project manager for major rail projects and at the same time be responsible for the coordination of the rail program with area, regional, and national rail leadership. They must have a knowledge of, and experience with, rail studies planning and NEPA and/or design of projects/programs with a high degree of technical complexity. HDR offers a complementary suite of consulting services across a wide range of disciplines and involves a large project staff. The candidate will also leverage experience and knowledge of the railroad construction industry to grow and expand our construction management services for railroad and railroad related agencies and third-party construction projects.

The individual will effectively manage the work program of a large staff of professionals and technicians, in many offices, to complete quality project deliverables on schedule and budget. They must provide meaningful growth opportunities and training opportunities for key staff, handle performance reviews and goal setting, and recognize the importance of an engaged/fulfilled staff that likes their workplace and their company. They must be comfortable with being viewed as a technical expert with recognized authority in an area of specialization that resolves problems of greater scope and complexity. while planning and developing projects or design activities which have significant impact on major company operations.

Client Managers are responsible for personally knowing HDR's clients' needs and how HDR's services relate to those needs. The Client Manager will understand/or seek to understand all aspects of the clients' needs, strategically position HDR through collaboration with the Client Team members and National Leaders, and work with internal teams to provide the highest level of service possible to the clients. Working with the Market Sectors, Marketing Mangers, and Departments, they will facilitate the right individuals and resources to pursue and serve the clients' immediate and future needs. Client Managers present to the client a uniform HDR: Making Great Things Possible. Client Manager to focus on delivery and client satisfaction, which is obviously critical both to growing the account and to HDR's success.

This role will support the Client Development Leader to help provide emphasis on how to serve different buyers in the Client Organization with services and solutions from HDR and help HDR better serve all geographies where National Clients have infrastructure. Responsibilities include the following:

• Project management (including planning, directing, and monitoring) of railroad projects from concept through construction
• Coordinate project staffing and workload through development of the project to complete quality deliverables on schedule
• Implement QA/QC procedures and exceed client expectations for quality, schedule, and budget
• Develop and execute training for personnel as established by strategic plans
• Develop and maintain close relationships with existing and potential clients
• Business development for the Freight Rail Market Sector
• Tracking upcoming project opportunities and collaborating on project pursuits
• Work closely with HDR's Transportation Market Sector Directors, Transportation Client Managers, and Field Services leadership in the pursuit and execution of major railroad projects
• Track major railroad construction and railroad public project prospects and develop and implement capture plans for new projects/programs
• Coach and mentor staff in the pursuit and execution of railroad Public Projects and Construction Management services
• Increase HDR's visibility in the Railroad Public Projects and Construction Management services space by actively participating in strategic state and national organizations

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, Construction Management, Planning, Sciences, Business Administration, or a closely related field or relevant experience
• Program management experience consistent with one of the following requirements:
• A minimum of three (3) years of program management experience in a deputy role to the Program Manager for the delivery of one or more programs, with a cumulative capital value of $200 million or more, or;
• A minimum of five (5) years of program management experience as a Project Manager or Project Controls Manager for the delivery of one or more programs, each with a capital value of $200 million or more, or;
• A minimum of ten (10) years of project management experience as a Project Manager directing a multi-disciplinary team for the delivery of at least two (2) projects, each with a capital value of $50 million or more
• Strong leadership skills with experience building a cohesive team culture and managing team members in various locations.
• Excellent communication skills. Comfortable presenting to client executives and in front of a large audience in a public setting
• Management experience with the implementation of projects or programs using alternative and collaborative delivery methods, including design-build (DB), progressive design-build (PDB), and/or construction management at-risk (CMAR)
• Familiar with the various tools used to manage large programs - PMIS, CMIS, scheduling, cost control, document management, risk management, asset management, dashboard analytics, etc.
• Due to client contract requirements US Citizenship required.
• Strong preference given to candidates currently residing in the Mid-Atlantic (VA/DC/MD) Area

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in an engineering, planning or a related field
• A minimum of 10 years of industry experience
• Experienced in development and management of strategic marketing programs for planning and/or engineering services
• Experienced in development and management of a wide range of client relationships and specific program and/or project pursuits
• Experienced in overall staff development to include recruiting, career path and professional growth
• Experienced with industry associations and maintains a visible profile in the market sector
• Ability to work cooperatively with Regional Market Sector Directors, Market Sector Directors, Business Class Directors, Regional Business Group Directors, Area Business Group Managers, Area Marketing Managers and Area Managers
• Demonstrated commitment to HDR values. An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

What We Believe HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement. The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.) Vienna. VA: $182,448 - $220,000

Primary Location: United States-Virginia-Vienna

Industry: Freight Rail

Schedule: Full-time

Employee Status: Regular

BusinessClass: Railway Design

Job Posting: Sep 14, 2026