Senior Rail Project Manager

HDR; West Palm Beach (FL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent engineering firm is seeking a Senior Rail Engineer to join their team in Florida. In this role, you will lead railroad and civil engineering design projects, manage budgets and schedules, and mentor junior staff. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree, 10 years of experience in the field, and strong project management skills. This position emphasizes collaboration across disciplines and offers opportunities for professional growth. Focus on creating sustainable and innovative mobility solutions is essential.

Qualifications

• 10 years of related experience including 5 years in project management.
• Proven experience in rail and/or civil engineering design projects.
• Ability to become licensed as a P.E. or P. Eng.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Discipline or Task Lead for projects.
• Manage scope, budget, and schedule for design projects.
• Perform railroad and/or civil engineering planning and design.

Skills

Project Management

Communication Skills

Team Collaboration

Leadership

Railroad Design Knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Estimating Software

Project Management Software

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?

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 believe transportation is more than movement, it’s the foundation of connected, thriving communities. As part of HDR’s Transportation Business Group, you’ll help shape the systems that move people and goods safely, efficiently, and sustainably. From designing resilient highways and iconic bridges to advancing transit, passenger and freight rail, aviation, federal transportation ports and marine infrastructure, your work will directly support economic vitality, public safety, sustainable and resilient communities and quality of life. We bring together planners, engineers, architects, construction management staff, environmental, strategic communications, economists, management consultants and specialists across disciplines to solve complex mobility challenges with innovation, technical excellence, and a deep understanding of community needs.

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

Primary Responsibilities

• Serve as Discipline or Task Lead for railroad or civil engineering design projects, and other offices to support the Freight Rail Market Sector and other market sectors as needed.
• Support Project Managers by leading or participating in marketing and contracting activities.
• Manage scope, budget, and schedule, as well as development of design criteria, specifications, project guides, project meeting notes, and cost estimating activities.
• Perform railroad and/or civil engineering/design planning, analysis, and design aspects of rail and rail-related transportation projects.
• Lead and/or perform detailed QC reviews of projects.
• 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.
• Mentor younger staff and support technical development.
• Supervise junior staff performance of engineering tasks.
• Work across industries with rail, industrial, terminal, utility, agency, DOT, port, transit, and other industry clients.
• Provide leadership across technical disciplines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven, hands‑on experience in all aspects of rail and/or civil design projects.
• Experience working with AREMA’s Manual for Railway Engineering (MRE) and other railroad design guidelines, specifications, and design criteria.
• Knowledge of railroad analysis programs, and railroad and/or civil design software.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, strong communication skills, and ability to work in a team environment with various teams.
• Desire to mentor younger staff and grow in skill set related to the railroad industry.
• Ability to become licensed as a P.E. or P. Eng. in additional jurisdictions through the NCEES or similar.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects through design and production through coordination with other disciplines and production staff.
• Project Management experience managing projects for rail, industrial or transit clients.
• Demonstrated client development or client management experience.
• 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 in related field.
• 10 years related experience.
• A minimum of 5 years of project management experience.
• Familiar with Microsoft Office, estimating and scheduling software, project management software.
• Must have the ability to interact with various design teams, have excellent organizational, project management and communication (both written and verbal) 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.

Primary Location

United States, Florida, Jacksonville

Other Locations

United States, Florida – West Palm Beach; United States, Florida – Doral; United States, Florida – Tampa

Industry

Freight Rail

Schedule

Full-time

Employee Status

Regular

Business Class

Railway Design

Job Posting Date

Feb 16, 2026

At HDR, we are 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.