Senior Rail Systems Engineer – Freight Rail Infrastructure

MVA International Headhunters; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

MVA International Headhunters is representing a leading international engineering and infrastructure consultancy seeking two Senior Rail Systems Engineers to join its expanding US freight rail business. The roles require expertise in railway infrastructure, integrated rail systems and multidisciplinary design, with a preference for candidates in the Chicago area.

Ideal applicants will have a Civil/Railway Engineering degree, substantial North American rail experience, and the ability to

Qualifications

• Degree in Civil Engineering, Railway Engineering or related discipline.
• Significant experience in railway infrastructure engineering and design in North American freight rail.
• Strong understanding of multidisciplinary rail systems.
• Experience delivering feasibility studies and detailed design packages.
• Familiarity with North American freight rail standards.
• PE licence preferred.
• Experience supporting business development or technical proposals would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver engineering and design solutions for major freight rail projects across the United States.
• Provide technical expertise across track infrastructure, civil engineering, railway systems and operational planning.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary railway design, ensuring integration between track, civil, structural, signalling and operational requirements.
• Support railway network upgrades, capacity improvements, infrastructure expansion and capital investment programmes.
• Lead technical activities from feasibility and concept development through detailed design and project delivery.
• Work directly with major freight rail operators, infrastructure owners and project stakeholders.
• Contribute to technical proposals, commercial opportunities and client relationship development.
• Mentor junior engineers and support the continued growth of the US engineering team.

Skills

Railway infrastructure engineering

Multidisciplinary design

Project leadership

Client engagement

Education

Civil/Railway Engineering degree

Job description

Location: Chicago, Illinois (preferred) | Greater Midwest, Great Lakes Region & Other Major US Metropolitan Areas

The Opportunity

We are representing a leading international engineering and infrastructure consultancy seeking to appoint two Senior Rail Systems Engineers as part of an ambitious expansion of its US freight rail business.

With an established presence across North America and longstanding relationships with major freight rail operators, the company is investing significantly in growing its US engineering and design capabilities.

This is an opportunity for experienced railway engineers to join a growing business, take ownership of technically challenging projects and play a meaningful role in shaping the future of its US rail operations.

The successful candidates will bring a strong understanding of railway infrastructure, integrated rail systems, operational planning, civil engineering and multidisciplinary design.

While a track engineering background would be advantageous, the business is particularly interested in engineers who understand how the complete railway system operates and can integrate multiple engineering disciplines into practical, commercially viable solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver engineering and design solutions for major freight rail infrastructure projects across the United States.
• Provide technical expertise across track infrastructure, civil engineering, railway systems and operational planning.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary railway design, ensuring integration between track, civil, structural, signalling and operational requirements.
• Support railway network upgrades, capacity improvements, infrastructure expansion and capital investment programmes.
• Lead technical activities from feasibility and concept development through detailed design and project delivery.
• Work directly with major freight rail operators, infrastructure owners and project stakeholders.
• Contribute to technical proposals, commercial opportunities and client relationship development.
• Mentor junior engineers and support the continued growth of the US engineering team.

Candidate Requirements

• Degree in Civil Engineering, Railway Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Significant experience in railway infrastructure engineering and design, ideally within the North American freight rail sector.
• Strong understanding of multidisciplinary rail systems, including track, civil infrastructure, operational planning and engineering design.
• Track engineering experience advantageous, but candidates must demonstrate broader railway systems knowledge.
• Experience delivering feasibility studies, preliminary engineering and detailed design packages.
• Familiarity with North American freight rail standards, operational requirements and engineering practices.
• Proven ability to coordinate multidisciplinary engineering teams and engage directly with clients.
• Strong commercial awareness, communication skills and problem-solving abilities.
• Professional Engineer (PE) licence preferred.
• Experience supporting business development or technical proposals would be advantageous.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is not simply another engineering delivery role.

The organisation is entering an important growth phase in the United States, creating genuine opportunities for experienced engineers to influence the direction of its rail business.

Successful candidates will benefit from:

• Career progression: A clear opportunity to develop into Principal Engineer, Technical Lead or Engineering Management positions as the US business expands.
• Business growth: The chance to help establish and strengthen engineering capabilities within a growing US rail practice.
• Major projects: Exposure to complex freight rail infrastructure, network improvements and multidisciplinary engineering programmes.
• Commercial involvement: Opportunities to build relationships with major railway operators and contribute to new business development.
• International expertise: The resources and technical capabilities of an established global engineering organisation, combined with the entrepreneurial environment of an expanding US operation.

Location Flexibility

Chicago is the preferred location, although candidates based across the Midwest, Great Lakes region and other major US engineering hubs will be considered.

Flexible office location arrangements may be available for suitably experienced individuals.

Interested?

If you are an experienced railway engineer looking to combine technical leadership with genuine career progression and the opportunity to help grow a US rail engineering business, we would welcome a confidential discussion.

All enquiries will be treated in strict confidence.