Senior Transit and Rail Project Manager

GFT; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 175,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Wellness programs

Parental leave

Pet insurance

Medical, dental, vision, disability, &

Life insurance

401(k)

PTO

Tuition reimbursement

Professional development

Job summary

GFT in Boston, MA is seeking a Senior Transit and Rail Project Manager to join our Public Transit Practice. This hybrid role requires regular office attendance at our Boston office and focuses on leading complex rail and transit projects to enhance mobility, safety, and accessibility.

We specialize in rail systems, bus rapid transit, and zero-emission mobility solutions, combining deep technical knowledge with innovative thinking.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil/Electrical/Industrial/Mechanical Engineering.
• PE license preferred in Massachusetts or another New England state.
• Experience with major rail and transit agencies (MBTA, MassDOT, Amtrak, Keolis, etc.).
• 10+ years managing planning, design, and delivery of complex rail/transit projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, execution, and delivery of complex transit and rail projects from pursuit through design and construction support.
• Serve as primary client contact, maintaining relationships and aligning expectations throughout the project lifecycle.
• Direct multidisciplinary teams, providing leadership, guidance, and mentoring to engineers and staff.
• Manage scope, schedule, budget, resources, and risk; apply EVA or similar techniques.
• Oversee project controls, including schedule, cost forecasting, and performance reporting.
• Lead change management, contract modifications, and project documentation with contractual compliance.
• Prepare and present project status reports and financial updates to clients and leadership.
• Coordinate document control and stakeholder communications for timely information flow.
• Develop project execution/staffing plans and PM strategies for successful delivery.
• Lead quality management and ensure compliance with GFT QMS during execution.
• Support business development by identifying opportunities and contributing to proposals.

Skills

PMP certification

Leadership

Client relationships

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil/Electrical/Industrial/Mechanical Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license (MA or NE state preferred)

Tools

AutoCAD

MicroStation

Microsoft Office

Job description

What You Will Do

GFT is seeking a Senior Transit and Rail Project Manager to join our Public Transit Practice in Boston, MA. This role follows a hybrid work model, requiring regular attendance at our Boston office.

Working with thepublic transit teamatGFT means shaping thefuture of transportation, delivering projects that improve mobility, safety, and accessibilityfor millions of passengers nationwide. Specializing in rail systems, bus rapid transit, andzero-emission mobility solutions, our experts combine deep technical knowledge withinnovative thinking to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of transit networks.Together, we're transforming urban landscapes, reducing environmental impact, andconnecting communities through state-of-the-art public transportation infrastructure.Explore some of our signature public transit projects here.

What You'll Be Challenged To Do

The Senior Project Manager will provide leadership for complex transit and rail projects, serving as a trusted advisor to clients while guiding multidisciplinary teams through all phases of project delivery. This individual will oversee project execution, manage client relationships, and ensure projects are delivered on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with GFT's quality standards. The role requires a collaborative leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and can effectively balance competing priorities while driving successful project outcomes.

In this capacity, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following:

• Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of complex transit and rail engineering projects from pursuit through design and construction support.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, maintaining strong relationships and ensuring client expectations are met throughout the project lifecycle.
• Direct multidisciplinary project teams, providing leadership, technical guidance, and mentoring to engineers and project staff.
• Manage project scope, schedule, budget, resources, and risk while implementing proactive strategies to address project challenges and changes.
• Oversee project controls, including schedule development, cost management, forecasting, and performance reporting using Earned Value Analysis (EVA) or other project management techniques.
• Lead change management activities, contract modifications, and project documentation while ensuring compliance with client requirements and contractual obligations.
• Prepare and present project status reports, financial updates, and executive-level communications for clients and internal leadership.
• Coordinate document control, project deliverables, and stakeholder communications to ensure timely and accurate information flow across project teams.
• Develop and implement project execution plans, staffing plans, and project management strategies that support successful project delivery.
• Lead quality management activities and ensure compliance with the GFT Quality Management System throughout project execution.
• Support business development efforts by identifying new opportunities, participating in proposals, and contributing to client growth initiatives.

Education | Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Civil, Electrical, Industrial, or Mechanical Engineering.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license, preferably in Massachusetts or another New England state.
• Experience working with major rail and transit agencies such as MBTA, MassDOT, Amtrak, Keolis, or other regional or national transit agencies.
• 10+ years of progressive experience managing the planning, design, and delivery of complex rail and transit infrastructure projects.
• Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary engineering teams and managing projects through planning, alternatives analysis, environmental review, permitting, final design, construction, safety certification, and commissioning.
• Strong client relationship management, communication, and leadership skills with the ability to collaborate across diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Experience managing project scope, schedule, budget, risk, and quality while delivering successful project outcomes.
• Strong understanding of project delivery methodologies, project controls, and engineering consulting practices.

What We Prefer You Bring

• PMI Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, AutoCAD, and/or MicroStation.
• Compensation:

The salary range for this role is $175,000 - $225,000; Salary is dependent upon experience and geographic location.

Featured Benefits

• Hybrid (in-person and remote) work environment.
• Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan.
• Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual.
• Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
• Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations
• Incentive compensation for eligible positions.

Company Overview

At GFT, a privately held AEC firm, we innovate where transportation, water, power, and buildings converge. We call this the Infrastructure of Life. We measure our success by the strength of our relationships –that’s why we’re the employer of choice for 5,000+ of the industry’s brightest engineers, planners, architects, inspectors, designers, and more.

Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our nimble approach, creativity, and personal touch. Backed by over a century’s experience, together we’re building a lasting legacy for future generations: stronger communities, a healthier planet, and better lives.

GFT: Ingenuity That Shapes Lives is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans’ status or other characteristics protected by law.

Unsolicited resumes from third party agencies will be considered the property GFT.

Location

Boston, MA

Core Business Hours

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Employment Status

Full-Time

GFT does require the successful completion of a criminal background check for all advertised positions.

California Applicants

Applicants in the County of Los Angeles - Qualified applications with arrest or convicting records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

Applicants in the City of San Francisco - Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Applicants in the State of California - Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act.