Rail and Transit Principal

Jacobs; Morristown (NJ); On-site; USD 225,000 - 290,000; Full time

Job summary

Jacobs in Morristown, NJ is seeking a Rail and Transit Principal to lead Northeast initiatives, strengthen client relationships, and drive delivery of complex rail and transit programs.

The role combines market leadership with technical oversight, requiring senior client engagement, strategic pursuits, and coordination across Jacobs’ teams to deliver projects safely, on time, and within budget.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical discipline.
• Senior-level experience with rail or transit agencies and complex capital programs.
• Professional Engineer registration or equivalent credential.

Responsibilities

• Develop and strengthen relationships with Northeast rail and transit agencies.
• Serve as senior advisor to clients and Jacobs teams on strategy and delivery.
• Provide oversight for planning, design, procurement, and construction across rail projects.
• Support multiple pursuits and projects while prioritizing safety, quality, and schedule.
• Mentor project managers and technical staff to improve delivery outcomes.
• Collaborate with sales, operations, and delivery leaders to pursue major opportunities.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Client relations

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Professional Engineer registration

Job description

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

At Jacobs, we’re challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world’s most critical problems and turning bold ideas into solutions that transform the world for good.

As a key member of our Northeast Transportation leadership team, you will help lead and grow Jacobs’ rail and transit business across the Northeast.

This senior, client-facing role combines market, client, people, and operational leadership with deep rail and transit agency and major-project delivery experience. You will strengthen client relationships, identify and capture strategic opportunities, and help position our teams to successfully deliver complex rail, transit, and multidisciplinary transportation programs.

You will collaborate closely with Northeast operations, sales, project delivery, and technical leaders to develop and execute our rail and transit growth strategy. You will also connect clients and local teams with Jacobs’ broader national and global capabilities, including our technical, digital, and Global Integrated Delivery resources.

By joining us, you’ll have the opportunity to work with diverse teams across Rail & Transit and related disciplines. This position requires the ability to advise senior clients, shape major pursuits, and support the successful delivery of complex programs and projects. The successful candidate will focus primarily on the Northeast, with an initial emphasis on strengthening Jacobs’ relationships and positioning with major rail and transit agencies.

• This position is client facing. The Rail and Transit Principal will develop and strengthen relationships with transportation clients across the Northeast, with particular emphasis regional rail and transit agencies.
• The Rail and Transit Principal will serve as a senior advisor to clients and Jacobs teams, providing technical and strategic direction, supporting project and program delivery, and coordinating with agency stakeholders, internal leaders, project teams, and teaming partners.
• The Rail and Transit Principal will provide oversight and guidance for planning, design, program management, construction management, and alternative delivery assignments involving rail infrastructure, stations and facilities, systems, state-of-good-repair improvements, and major capital programs. The position requires the ability to support multiple pursuits and projects while maintaining a focus on safety, quality, schedule, budget, and client objectives.
• Provides senior-level guidance to project and program teams, applying agency knowledge, sound judgment, and proven delivery practices to improve outcomes for Jacobs and its clients.
• Supports projects through planning, design, procurement, and construction, including executive-level issue resolution, coordination with operations and maintenance stakeholders, and oversight of responses to technical and construction-phase matters.
• Functions as a senior leader and principal-level point of contact for selected clients, pursuits, programs, and projects. Provides technical support, executive oversight, and guidance to help teams deliver work that is responsive to the scope, agency requirements, and client expectations.
• Responsible for the overall quality of the project documents and adherence with Jacobs Quality Program. Manages and enhances project quality by providing ideas and guidance to the team aimed at improving the effectiveness of their role and project delivery in general.
• Assesses client and project requirements and helps develop practical delivery, procurement, contracting, and stakeholder-engagement strategies that reflect agency priorities and operating environments.
• Supports capture planning, teaming, proposal development, fee strategy, and negotiations for major rail and transit opportunities in coordination with sales, operations, technical, and project delivery leaders.
• Helps shape client account strategies and communication plans, ensuring that market intelligence, agency priorities, and key decisions are shared with the appropriate stakeholders across Jacobs.
• Reviews project and pursuit performance, including scope, risk, schedule, budget, staffing, and client satisfaction, and supports timely leadership action where needed.
• Works with Northeast sales, operations, and delivery leaders to identify strategic opportunities, assemble strong teams, and align the right technical and management resources to priority pursuits and projects.
• Mentors project managers and technical staff and helps strengthen Jacobs’ understanding of rail and transit agency practices, expectations, and decision-making processes.
• Reports to the Northeast Transportation leadership team and works across sales, operations, and project delivery functions.

Here’s what you’ll need

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Substantial years senior-level experience with a rail or transit agency, engineering consultant, program manager, or contractor, including responsibility for complex capital programs and projects.
• Strong understanding of rail and transit planning, design, procurement, project delivery, construction, operations, stakeholder coordination, and agency governance, together with a demonstrated ability to build trusted client relationships.
• Professional Engineer registration

Ideally, you’ll also have

• Professional Engineer registration or other relevant professional credential.
• Executive or senior management experience with a major Northeast rail and transit agency.
• Established relationships across the Northeast rail and transit market and demonstrated success shaping opportunities, advising project teams, and supporting major capital program delivery.

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well-being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to a 401(k) plan, as well as legally mandated benefits.

The base salary range for this position is $225,000.00 to $290,000.00; though will be paid hourly based on hours worked. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

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

Job posted on October 26, 2026. This position will be open for at least 3 days.