Rail & Transit Project Manager / Client Lead

Michael Baker International; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 115,000 - 201,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a talented Rail Project Manager to lead innovative railway planning and design projects in Chicago. This role offers the chance to collaborate with major rail agencies like Metra and Amtrak, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget. The ideal candidate will bring over a decade of experience in railway civil design, showcasing strong client management and project leadership skills. With a hybrid work environment, this position allows for flexibility while making a significant impact on the future of rail transit solutions. Join a team dedicated to sustainability and community livability, and help shape the future of transportation.

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401k Retirement Plan

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Life and disability insurance

Professional development opportunities

Generous paid time off

Commuter and wellness benefits

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in railway civil design and planning.
• Strong client management skills and ability to work independently.

Responsibilities

• Manage railway planning or design projects, ensuring schedule and budget adherence.
• Coordinate with local rail agencies and support national Rail team efforts.

Skills

Railway Civil Design

Client Management

Project Management

Problem-Solving

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering

Master's Degree in related field

Tools

Bluebeam

Microsoft Office

Bentley MicroStation

AutoCAD Civil 3D

Job description

RAIL & TRANSIT PRACTICE

Whether moving people or freight, future rail and transit solutions will be determined by energy prices, a shift toward urban living and growing environmental concerns. Michael Baker helps freight, rail and transit agency, and Department of Transportation clients meet these modern challenges by providing services that address key industry issues such as state of good repair, capacity, safety, community livability, asset management and maintenance, planning and development for new projects, and the promotion of environmental stewardship and sustainability.

We provide value by first understanding our clients' needs, then working with them as a partner to identify innovative and cost-effective solutions that optimize their opportunities for success.

DESCRIPTION

With a base in our local office in Chicago, IL in a hybrid work environment, Michael Baker International is seeking a talented Rail Project Manager / Client Lead with a specialization in major railway planning and/or design projects to help make a difference in our Rail and Transit Practice in Chicago and vicinity. Consideration will be given to remote work for exceptional candidates with direct experience and client relationships in the Chicagoland area.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate experience working on projects for Metra, Amtrak, or Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). Experience with a Class I Railroad is a plus.

In this role, you will serve as a Rail Project Manager and Client Lead to support our current and future projects on managing design projects and business development efforts. You will utilize your established relationships with Chicagoland rail agencies including Metra, Amtrak, and CTA. You will act as the main point of contact with local rail agencies/authorities and support the national Rail team with local efforts for Amtrak and Class I Railroads.

Occasional travel may be required.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage multi-discipline railway planning or design projects, ensuring projects progress on schedule and within budget.
• Develop project scopes, schedules, budgets, and staffing requirements for project pursuits.
• Complete monthly project management duties, including invoicing and status reporting.
• Coordinate project activities to ensure project's progression stays on schedule and within prescribed budget.
• Attend project meetings with client representatives as needed for project delivery, either onsite or virtually.
• Coordinate regularly with the client project manager.
• Reviews of project designs and contract plans for conformance with design criteria, client technical requirements and to insure quality deliverables.
• Obtain all required railroad safety certifications and support safety initiatives.
• Business Development
  • Act as the main point of contact with local rail agencies/authorities and support the national Rail team with local efforts for Amtrak and Class I Railroads.
  • Identify and assist in positioning for future work, including market analysis, client meetings, proposal writing, and project interviews
  • Work with market leadership to support growth and strategic planning.

Professional Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering required; Master's Degree in related field is a plus.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in railway civil and geometric design, planning/ alternatives analysis on capacity, expansion or maintenance projects with a railroad specialization.
• IL PE license required; NCEES record is a plus.
• Familiarity with AREMA OR other rail client specific standards.
• Strong client management skills, ability to work independently and within a multidisciplinary team, excellent verbal and interpersonal skills, and problem-solving ability.
• Bluebeam and Microsoft Office. Knowledge of CADD software, including Bentley MicroStation/ OpenRail, and AutoCAD Civil 3D a plus.
• Willingness and ability to mentor, advise and manage young staff on rail projects, operations, and engineering best practices
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks or projects concurrently and a proactive, collaborative approach to project development.

COMPENSATION
The approximate compensation range for this position is $115,478- $200,051 per year. This compensation range is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Actual compensation is dependent upon factors such as education, qualifications, experience, skillset, and physical work location.

BENEFITS
We offer a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Medical, dental, vision insurance
• 401k Retirement Plan
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Life, AD&D, short-term, and long-term disability
• Professional and personal development
• Generous paid time off
• Commuter and wellness benefits

About us

Michael Baker International, a leading provider of engineering and consulting services, including design, planning, architectural, environmental, construction and program management, has been solving some of the world's most complex infrastructure challenges for more than 80 years with a legacy of expertise, experience, innovation and integrity.

Based in Pittsburgh and with nearly 100 offices nationwide, we partner with clients on everything from roads, bridges, tunnels, mass transit, and airports, to water treatment plants, arctic oil pipelines, environmental restoration and specialized overseas construction. We serve as a trusted adviser to the communities we serve, making them safer, more accessible, more sustainable and more prosperous.

We provide visionary leadership in facilitating transformational change for our clients. Our work delivers differentiating innovations and dedicated experts who challenge the status quo and share a world of diverse experience and an impassioned entrepreneurial spirit. We deliver quality of life.

We Make a Difference.

Michael Baker International is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Michael Baker International provides equal employment opportunity for all persons, in all facets of employment. Michael Baker International maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply for any open position for which they feel they are qualified and all will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status or any other legally protected status.

EEO is the Law. Applicants to and employees of Michael Baker International are protected under Federal law from discrimination.

*It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

The ideal candidate will demonstrateexperience working on projects for Metra, Amtrak, or Chicago Transit Authority. Experience with a Class I Railroad is a plus.In this role, you will serve as a Rail Project Manager and Client Lead to support our current and future projects on managing design projects and business development efforts. You will utilize your established relationships with Chicagoland rail agencies including Metra, Amtrak, and Chicago Transit Authority (CTA).You will act as the main point of contact with local rail agencies/authorities and su pport the national Rail team with local efforts for Amtrak and Class I Railroads.