Senior Rail Engineer

HDR; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm is seeking a Senior Rail Engineer in Raleigh, NC. This role involves managing complex rail projects, providing leadership across technical disciplines, and ensuring project scope, budget, and schedule are met. Candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree, 10 years of experience in railway engineering, and a professional engineering license. Proficiency in MicroStation, AutoCAD, and technical writing is essential. The position offers full-time employment with a commitment to equity and opportunity for all qualified applicants.

Qualifications

• 10 years experience in railway engineering and managing complex multidisciplinary railway projects.
• Requires professional engineering license recognized by licensing board.
• Demonstrated ability to lead a team on railway projects.

Responsibilities

• Manage scope, budget, and schedule for rail projects.
• Serve as Discipline or Task Lead for engineering design.
• Provide leadership across technical disciplines.

Skills

Project Management

Rail Engineering

Technical Writing

MicroStation

AutoCAD

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

MicroStation

OpenRail Designer

Civil3D

Job description

HDR is looking for a Senior Rail Engineer to join our Transportation Business Group in either our Charlotte or Raleigh office.

Responsibilities

• Take responsibility for all aspects of client and design‑team management of commuter, shortline, freight, transit and class‑one rail projects.
• Serve as Discipline or Task Lead for railroad or civil engineering design projects, and support other office, the Freight Rail Market Sector, and other market sectors as needed.
• Manage scope, budget, and schedule.
• Coordinate planning and environmental processes, manage the assembly of plans, specifications, construction estimate packages.
• Serve as a technical expert with recognized authority in an area of specialization that resolves problems of greater scope and complexity while planning and developing projects or designing activities that have significant impact on major company programs.
• Work across industries with rail, industrial, terminal, utility, agency, DOT, port, transit, and other industry clients.
• Provide leadership across technical disciplines.
• Lead and/or perform detailed QC reviews of projects.
• Plan, organize and supervise the work of medium to large staff of professionals and technicians.
• Mentor younger staff and support technical development.
• Supervise junior staff performance of engineering tasks.
• Serve as Project Manager on larger projects as needed; project management is not the sole focus of the position.
• Support Project Managers by leading or participating in marketing and contracting activities.
• Support Project Managers by leading or participating in client and stakeholder visits, site visits, field assessments, and construction inspections as needed.
• Attend industry events and represent HDR as needed.
• Serve as a high‑level point of contact between the client and HDR.
• Perform other duties as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to become licensed as a P.E. in additional jurisdictions through the NCEES or similar.
• Experience working with AREMA’s Manual for Railway Engineering (MRE) and other railroad design guidelines, specifications, and design criteria.
• Proven, hands‑on experience in all aspects of rail and/or civil design projects.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects through design and production, coordinating with other disciplines and production staff.
• Project Management experience managing projects for rail, industrial or transit clients.
• Demonstrated client development or client management experience; local candidates are preferred.
• Construction inspection or construction management experience is a plus.
• Experience in technical writing, communicating, and presenting to clients and the public is desirable.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 10 years experience in railway engineering and managing complex multidisciplinary railway projects.
• Requires professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered (e.g., Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license).
• Proficient with MicroStation, OpenRail Designer/OpenRoads Designer, and/or AutoCAD and Civil3D.
• Skilled in technical writing, communicating and presenting to clients and the public.
• Demonstrated ability to lead a team on railway projects.
• Computer literate with MS Office (Word, Excel, Project).
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee‑owned culture is a must.

Location

United States—North Carolina: Charlotte and Raleigh.

Schedule

Full‑time.

Employment Status

Regular.

Business Class

Railway Design.

HDR is committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest, and conviction records.