Senior Project Manager / Professional Engineer, Transportation - Transit & Commuter / Freight Rail

TKDA; Seattle, Northern (WA, KY); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Benefits

Annual Incentive Plan

HSA Contributions

401(k) Match

ESOP

Paid Time Off

Job summary

TKDA seeks a Senior Project Manager to lead our Transit practice in Seattle, serving as the technical authority on rail projects while expanding our regional impact. This role blends high-level project leadership with market development in a dynamic transportation hub.

The position is 80% project management and 20% marketing, with hybrid work (Tue–Thu in office; Mon & Fri WFH). You will manage budgets, schedules, QA, and client relationships while guiding junior staff.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of leading large multi-disciplinary transit projects.
• Civil Engineering degree with WA PE license and transit experience.
• Proven ability to manage budgets and schedules across complex rail projects.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, and business development skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex transit projects as the primary technical authority.
• Drive budgets, timelines, and deliverables from concept through construction.
• Direct drawings, specifications, cost estimates, and QA across phases.
• Collaborate with structural, civil, mechanical, electrical, and architectural teams.
• Build client relationships and oversee field investigations and design coordination.
• Develop junior staff and foster professional growth; mentor project coordinators.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Business development

Client relationship management

Education

Civil Engineering degree

Professional Engineer license (WA)

Job description

TKDA has been moving people and communities forward for 115 years, and we're not slowing down! As a 100% employee-owned engineering firm, we're looking for a Senior Project Manager to lead our growing Transit practice in Seattle and help us expand our impact across the region. This isn't just another project management role. You'll be the technical authority on complex rail and transit projects while building something meaningful in one of the country's most dynamic transportation markets.

The Role Breakdown:

This position is 80% project management and 20% marketing, meaning you'll spend most of your time leading complex technical projects while also helping us grow our presence in the Seattle market.

Lead Complex Transit Projects:

You'll function as the primary technical authority on diverse railroad and rail transit initiatives, including developing transit infrastructure, maintenance facilities, electrical facilities, stations, and operation facilities. From initial concept through construction support, you'll maintain adherence to industry codes and client expectations.

Drive Project Excellence:

Control budgets, timelines, and deliverables to achieve superior results. You'll direct the development of drawings, specifications, cost estimates, and engineering documentation while conducting quality assurance reviews across all project phases.

Build Collaborative Solutions:

Work closely with internal teams and external partners, including structural, civil, mechanical, electrical, and architectural specialists, to deliver integrated solutions. You'll maintain direct client relationships and participate in field investigations, site assessments, and design coordination meetings.

Support the Full Project Lifecycle:

Deliver ongoing engineering services including RFI responses, contractor submittal reviews, as-built record support, and field inspection activities.

Develop Tomorrow's Leaders:

Direct and develop junior engineering staff and project coordinators, fostering an environment of technical proficiency and professional growth while serving as a technical mentor.

Grow Our Seattle Presence:

Participate in business development through proposal preparation, client relationship building, and marketing initiatives. You'll help us expand our Transit and Rail practice in this thriving market.

Hybrid Work Environment:

Tuesday - Thursday In-Office | Monday & Friday WFH

Required Qualifications

• 15+ years of leading large multi-disciplinary projects.
• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related engineering discipline with 5+ years of experience in transit, rail, or transportation infrastructure projects, including stations, maintenance facilities, and electrical systems
• Professional Engineering license in the state of Washington.
• Proven project management expertise with demonstrated ability to lead complex technical projects, manage budgets and timelines, coordinate multidisciplinary teams, and deliver projects from concept through construction support
• Strong technical background in transit/rail engineering, including knowledge of industry codes, standards, and best practices for railroad and rail transit infrastructure, with experience in design development, specifications, and quality assurance reviews
• Leadership and mentoring experience withthe ability to direct and develop junior engineering staff, provide technical guidance, and foster professional growth within project teams
• Business development skills and client relationship management experience, including proposal preparation, marketing support, and ability to build relationships that drive practice growth in competitive markets

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional project management credential or equivalent training

$160,000 - $230,000 a year

The listed salary range reflects base pay for candidates with 15 years of related experience. Compensation may vary based on experience, qualifications, and responsibilities.

Join Our 100% Employee-Owned Firm

At our company, every employee is an owner. From the front desk to the corner office, every one of our 430+ professionals thrive on collaboration and holistic development. Our success is collective, and so are the rewards.

Comprehensive Benefits

Health Benefits: Enjoy medical, dental, vision, and life insurance from day one

Annual Incentive Plan: Eligible for discretionary bonuses

HSA Contributions: Receive monthly employer contributions if you choose an HSA-eligible plan

401(k) Match: Get employer matching on your 401(k) deferrals

ESOP: Benefit from our Employee Stock Ownership Plan, funded entirely by company profits

Paid Time Off: Accrue PTO based on your professional experience and enjoy eight paid holidays per year

Upon receiving a formal offer, you will get a personalized Total Compensation Overview (TCO) to see how everything adds up and what it looks like to be part of our community.

TKDA is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status, gender identity, or any other characteristics protected by law. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, all applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

All applicants must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future visa sponsorship needs or requirements. TKDA does not sponsor any type of employment visas, including but not limited to H-1B, F-1 OPT/CPT, TN, or other work authorization programs.

Pre-Employment Screening

Upon acceptance of a conditional offer of employment, the selected candidate will be required to complete a standard pre-employment background screening, which consists of Social Security verification, educational verification, review of criminal convictions, and driving history.

Notice to Recruiters and Placement Agencies

TKDA will not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or placement agencies unless a service agreement is in place. In the event TKDA receives an unsolicited resume without a service agreement in place, TKDA will not be obligated to pay a service fee of any amount nor will TKDA be held liable to terms or conditions under any agreement of any kind that has not been authorized in writing by a TKDA officer.