Senior Track Design Lead & Program Manager

WSP; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 297,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Salary range transparency

Job summary

WSP in Seattle, WA is seeking a Track Engineering Design Lead to blend hands-on design leadership with strategic oversight of the transit and rail engineering discipline. You will guide project delivery from planning through construction support and maintenance, serving as SME across the organization and acting as owner’s representative for design reviews.

This role emphasizes regulatory compliance, multidisciplinary coordination, and client engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or closely related discipline (or equivalent experience).
• 12+ years of relevant post-education experience in engineering, with prior transit and rail experience and infrastructure design.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required; WA State required, multi-state preferred.
• Advanced proficiency with transit and rail engineering principles, practices, processes, design/build delivery, standard of care, and application to permitting and project work. Experience with light rail transit design and design management preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of FRA, FTA, CPUC, AREMA, and other rail regulatory standards, procedures, codes, compliance practices, and record‑keeping requirements.
• Advanced proficiency in technical computations, engineering calculations, interpreting plans and specifications, and comparing them to applicable regulations.
• Ability to work independently while providing guidance and leadership to mid‑level and senior‑level team members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to interact effectively and tactfully with employees at all organizational levels.
• Strong analytical skills, lateral thinking, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize responsibilities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to elicit cooperation from senior management, clients, regulators, subcontractors, and staff across the organization.
• Advanced proficiency with office automation and discipline‑specific design software (MicroStation, AutoCAD, Civil 3D, OpenRail), predictive models, spreadsheets, and engineering tools.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and compliance with company health, safety, drug/alcohol, and harassment policies.
• Strong ability to adapt to change and demonstrate flexibility to meet business needs.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project‑specific requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead all phases of track design and installation for transit and railroad projects, ensuring alignment with design intent, contract requirements, and operational standards.
• Provide technical direction for track geometry, alignment, special trackwork, systems integration, and constructability.
• Coordinate and supervise multidisciplinary engineering teams to ensure seamless integration of track, signal, communications, and traction power systems.
• Provide technical design support for field activities, ensuring work is executed safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with agency requirements.
• Lead development of solutions for unforeseen field conditions and coordinate design revisions or contract modifications as necessary.
• Support PMC teams in reviewing contractor deliverables, cost estimates, change orders, claims, and progress payments.
• Prepare detailed reports, presentations, and documentation for internal and client review.
• Provide proactive, strategic leadership for the transit and rail engineering discipline, ensuring technical excellence and regulatory compliance across all projects.
• Perform engineering review of permit applications, design plans, specifications, standby plans, contracts, and construction inspections to ensure compliance with FRA, FTA, CPUC, AREMA, and other applicable standards.
• Lead large, complex transit and rail engineering projects, overseeing budgets, schedules, subcontractors, and performance metrics.
• Ensure discipline certifications, accreditations, and technical capabilities are continuously developed and maintained.
• Conduct needs analyses and client value assessments to align engineering functions with business strategy and identify skill gaps or operational risks.
• Schedule and lead discipline meetings, promoting innovation, technical excellence, and knowledge sharing.
• Provide strategic oversight of design development and implementation, as well as support to teams delivering major programs.
• Guide engineering efforts from planning and design through construction support and maintenance.
• Monitor external events, risk contingencies, hours, expenses, and contractual obligations to ensure successful project execution.
• Lead technical aspects of contract negotiations, presentations, and client meetings.
• Develop project scopes, timelines, pricing, and budgetary metrics in compliance with all applicable codes and regulations.
• Interpret and summarize engineering data, reports, and regulatory documents to support sound technical conclusions.
• Provide high‑level strategic advice to clients and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Establish and maintain strong client relationships with transit agencies, railroads, and regulatory bodies.
• Actively market the organization’s transit and rail engineering capabilities and support pursuit strategies for major infrastructure opportunities.
• Develop new business opportunities and cross‑sell additional services across planning, design, strategic consulting, and program/construction management.
• Meet with public and private entities to discuss engineering challenges, program needs, and project strategies.
• Mentor and guide engineering staff, promoting a culture of technical excellence and professional development.
• Provide performance leadership to assigned staff and project teams.
• Support long‑term strategy, growth, and pipeline development for the transit and rail engineering practice.
• Collaborate across disciplines to deliver “trusted advisor” service and future‑ready solutions.
• Uphold ethical decision‑making, safety standards, and compliance with company policies.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Track design

Project management

Multidisciplinary coordination

Communication

Analytical thinking

QA/QC adherence

Independent work

Change management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering

Master’s Degree in Engineering

Tools

MicroStation

AutoCAD

Civil 3D

OpenRail

Job description

WSP in Seattle, WA is seeking a Track Engineering Design Lead to blend hands-on design leadership with strategic oversight of the transit and rail engineering discipline. You will guide project delivery from planning through construction support and maintenance, serving as SME across the organization and acting as owner’s representative for design reviews.

This role emphasizes regulatory compliance, multidisciplinary coordination, and client engagement.