Rail Bridge Engineer

Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising; Bethlehem (Northampton County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Rail Bridge Engineer to advance freight rail infrastructure projects. You will work on rail bridge structures, perform design calculations and coordinate with multidisciplinary teams across regions and clients.

The role demands strong structural engineering expertise, proficiency in Microstation/OpenRail Designer and related software, and a willingness to travel for client visits and field assessments. HDR values employee ownership and collaboration.

Qualifications

• Requires PE/P.Eng license or ability to obtain in additional jurisdictions.
• Hands-on experience with rail structures design for freight projects.
• Experience with structural analysis software and project coordination.

Responsibilities

• Serve in a technical role on rail bridges and structures engineering/design projects.
• Perform calculations, develop design details, write specs and cost estimates.
• Support project managers in scope, budget and scheduling elements.
• Collaborate with clients across rail, industrial, terminal, transit and other sectors.
• Participate in feasibility through final design and construction phases.
• Assist in field visits, site inspections, and coordination with stakeholders.
• Review calculations and specifications produced by team members.
• Contribute to multi-disciplinary delivery and environmental clearance processes.
• Mentor less-experienced staff.

Skills

Microstation

OpenRail Designer

AutoCAD

Civil3D

Project management

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Master of Science in Structural Engineering

Tools

LARSA

LEAP Bridge Enterprise

FB-MultiPier

LPile

SAP2000

CSiBridge

ADINA

spColumn

LUSAS

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'

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.

We invite you to build your transportation career at HDR. Our global team is looking for a success-oriented Rail Bridge Engineer that will be a key player in HDR’s freight rail program.

The freight rail network is a vital link in our national and global supply chain markets. Your work at HDR results in critical infrastructure for the sustainable movement of goods and people. Whether it is a traditional railroad structure across a major river, or an engineering marvel that redefines freight mobility at historic bottlenecks, you will have created something that matters.

HDR Rail Engineers thrive in entrepreneurial environments where team members are encouraged to shape their work roles to their strengths and interests. Our proven workshare approach provides opportunities to work across our transportation program and participate with clients and projects around the globe. Our culture of innovation and collaboration places strong emphasis on team-spirit, diversity thoughtfulness, growth and learning, discipline expertise, and personal accountability offering you a rewarding career in our dynamic, high-performance environment.

Primary Responsibilities

• Serve in a technical role on rail bridges and structures engineering/design projects to support HDR’s Freight Rail Market Sector and other market sectors as needed.
• Perform structures engineering/design calculations and develop design details using specialized software, writing specifications, developing cost estimates, reviewing construction submittals.
• Support Project Managers or Task Leads in the development of proposal, project scope, budget, and schedule elements.
• Work across team-driven environments, across regions, and with a variety of clients that include rail, industrial, terminal, utility, agency, DOT, port, transit, and other industry clients.
• Be involved in project activities ranging from feasibility analysis to final design and through to construction phase activities.
• Support Project Managers by participating in client and stakeholder visits, site visits, field assessments, and construction inspections as needed.
• Review or check design calculations, estimates and specifications produced by other staff.
• Assist in the delivery of multi-disciplinary projects, including the planning and environmental clearance process of a project.
• Mentor less-experienced staff.

Preferred Qualifications

• Interest in the freight railroad industry.
• Master of Science in Structural Engineering.
• 2+ years of experience within railroad engineering industry and familiarity with railroad design guidelines, specifications, and design criteria.
• Ability to become licensed as a P.E. or P. Eng. in additional jurisdictions through the NCEES or similar.
• Experience with railroad, industrial or transit clients.
• Construction inspection or construction management experience is a plus.
• Familiarity with engineering software packages such as: LARSA, LEAP Bridge Enterprise, FB-MultiPier, LPile, SAP2000, CSiBridge, ADINA, spColumn, and/or LUSAS
• Ability to travel periodically for client visits, site visits, field assessments, and construction inspections. An attitude and commitment to be an active participant of our employee-owned culture
• Must be able to pass a background check.
• Must have a valid Driver’s License.

Required Qualifications

Requires professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered. Example: Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license.

• Hands‑on experience with Microstation, OpenRail Designer, AutoCAD and Civil3D
• Must be able to work both independently and in a team setting
• MS Office software experience
• Excellent oral and written communication and project management skills
• 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.

Schedule

Full‑time

Employee Status

Regular

Job Posting

Oct 7, 2026

BusinessClass : Railway Design

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity.

We are an affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employe r.

We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.

Ready to learn more? Let's work together to make great thingspossible.

We design solutions to the world’s greatest challenges. We'realways looking for great talent to join our global teams.