Principal Project Manager Rail Systems

Mott MacDonald; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) with company matching

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Disability coverage

Tuition assistance

Professional registration reimburse

Job summary

Mott MacDonald in Seattle is seeking an experienced Rail Systems Lead to drive design, integration, and delivery of major transit programs across multidisciplinary teams. You will lead a rail systems design group, coordinate interfaces (traction power, OCS, signaling, communications), mentor engineers, and ensure compliance with U.S.

standards and safety processes. This role supports growing Link light rail expansions and requires strong communication and leadership to translate complex concepts

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, systems engineering, or a related discipline.
• 15+ years of experience in rail systems.
• Experience with design development, systems integration, and testing & commissioning on major rail or transit programs.
• Strong experience in multidisciplinary interface environments.
• Excellent communication and emotional intelligence.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of rail systems design packages from preliminary through detailed design.
• Manage systems-to-civil interfaces with track, structures, stations, utilities.
• Oversee technical reviews for compliance with Owner’s Requirements and safety.
• Support testing and commissioning to verify performance and safety.
• Identify risks early and develop mitigation strategies.
• Ensure designs comply with standards and safety certification for U.S. transit.
• Collaborate across delivery teams for coordinated execution.
• Mentor engineers and foster a collaborative team environment.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Rail systems

Systems integration

Mentoring engineers

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's in Electrical/Systems Eng

Job description

At Mott MacDonald, we are driven by purpose and powered by brilliant people. As a trusted engineering, management, and development consultancy, we work with clients to solve complex challenges and deliver sustainable outcomes that make a meaningful difference for the communities we serve.

When you join us as an experienced professional, you will bring your expertise to work that matters while continuing to grow your career. You will collaborate with talented colleagues across disciplines and geographies, contribute your perspective, and help shape better outcomes through technical excellence, innovation, and integrity.

Build on your experience while helping shape what comes next. At Mott MacDonald, you'll work alongside talented people on complex and rewarding projects that make a real difference. We value fresh perspectives, encourage collaboration, and provide opportunities to expand your skills, take on new challenges, and grow your career. Whether you're deepening your technical expertise, broadening your leadership experience, or exploring new opportunities across our business, you'll be supported by a team that is committed to helping you succeed.

Seattle is continuing to expand and modernize one of the fastest-growing light rail networks in the U.S., with Sound Transit’s Link system extending across the region to connect key employment hubs, residential communities, and major infrastructure corridors. With multiple extensions underway and future phases in development, this is a pivotal moment in shaping how people move across the Puget Sound region for decades to come.

As a leader in the Rail Systems team, you will play a central role in delivering major transit investments across Seattle and the broader region, supporting complex, multidisciplinary rail programs from design through delivery. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to high-profile, technically challenging projects while helping to integrate systems across expanding corridors in a dense and evolving urban environment.

Success in this role requires adaptability, strong emotional intelligence, and excellent communication skills, including the ability to translate complex technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders. A collaborative mindset is essential, with a strong emphasis on building relationships with clients, partners, and multidisciplinary teams alongside technical excellence.

You will lead and coordinate a rail systems design team, ensuring alignment across key interfaces including civil, track, structures, stations, utilities, and urban infrastructure, while supporting the continued growth and scaling of the team as projects advance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead development of rail systems design packages (traction power, OCS, train control, communications, SCADA, and related subsystems) from preliminary through detailed design.
• Manage systems-to-civil interfaces, coordinating closely with track, structures, stations, utilities, and roadway infrastructure.
• Oversee technical reviews to ensure compliance with Owner’s Requirements, as well as constructability, operability, and maintainability.
• Support testing & commissioning activities to verify system performance, safety, and reliability.
• Identify project risks early and develop mitigation strategies to maintain schedule, quality, and integration.
• Ensure all systems designs comply with applicable standards, codes, and safety certification processes relevant to U.S. transit systems and the Pacific Northwest.
• Collaborate across integrated delivery teams to support coordinated program execution.
• Support clients and stakeholders in understanding system functionality, lifecycle considerations, and long-term operational impacts.
• Translate complex technical concepts into clear, accessible insights for a broad range of stakeholders.
• Contribute to technical documentation, including design criteria, standards, and interface control documents.
• Foster a collaborative, transparent team environment and mentor engineers across levels.

Candidate Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, systems engineering, or a related discipline.
• 15+ years of experience in rail systems, ideally across multiple subsystems (traction power, OCS, signaling, communications, SCADA, etc.).
• Demonstrated experience in design development, systems integration, and testing & commissioning on major rail or transit programs.
• Strong experience working within interface-heavy, multidisciplinary environments.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey technical topics to diverse audiences.
• High emotional intelligence, adaptability, and comfort operating within complex, evolving project environments.
• Experience with design-build or integrated delivery models.
• Prior experience on North American light rail, metro, or commuter rail systems - ideally with exposure to Sound Transit or similar agencies.
• Familiarity with the Seattle/Puget Sound transit landscape, including ongoing Link light rail expansions, is highly desirable.

Bring your expertise, curiosity, and drive to make a difference. If you are ready to join a collaborative consultancy where your perspective is valued, your growth is supported, and you are empowered to lead with integrity, we would love to hear from you.

Benefits & Rewards

The expected salary for this position is $160,000 - $200,000.

Individual pay is determined based on several factors such as work location, education, experience, and unique skills.

In addition to base salary, Mott MacDonald offers performance-based bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package, giving employees a direct connection to our success.

Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to support the health, wellbeing, financial security, and professional growth of our employees.

• medical, dental, and vision coverage
• FSA and HSA accounts
• company-paid life insurance
• short-term and long-term disability coverage
• a competitive 401(k) plan with company matching
• paid time off
• paid holidays
• caregiver leave
• employee referral bonuses
• professional registration and membership reimbursements
• tuition assistance to support continued learning and career development

Collaboration at Our Core

At Mott MacDonald, we believe great ideas happen when we're together. Our hybrid approach centers on an in-office culture, with most of your time spent collaborating face-to-face and a minimum of three days per week in the office. We balance flexibility with connection, so you and your manager can choose how to meet clients, team, and personal commitments.

Equal opportunity is the law.

We seek to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they have the opportunity to contribute.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, creed, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status or disability status.