Senior Transit / Rail Engineer

Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm is seeking a Senior Transit/Rail Engineer in Charlotte, NC. The role involves managing complex rail projects, coordinating with clients and teams, and leading engineering initiatives. Preferred qualifications include 10+ years in railway engineering and a professional engineering license. The ideal candidate should be skilled in MicroStation, technical writing, and client interaction. Join us to help shape the future of transportation infrastructure.

Qualifications

• 10 years experience in railway engineering and managing complex multidisciplinary railway projects.
• Requires professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board.
• Proficient in technical writing and presenting to clients.

Responsibilities

• Manage client and design-team management of rail projects.
• Coordinate planning and environmental process.
• Lead teams and perform detailed QC reviews.

Skills

Leadership

Technical writing

Client management

Project Management

Railway engineering

Education

Professional engineering license

Tools

MicroStation

OpenRail Designer

AutoCAD

Civil3D

MS Office

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? Watch Our Story: https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story 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. Whether you’re modernizing aging infrastructure or pioneering next‑generation transportation solutions, your contributions will help define the future of mobility. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to lead progress, drive meaningful impact, and leave a legacy of smarter, more connected transportation networks. We are all employee‑owners at HDR, which is the foundation of our collaborative culture that connects employees around the world.

HDR is looking for a Senior Transit / Rail Engineer to join our Transportation Business Group in either our Charlotte or Raleigh office. As an employee‑owner in this role, we’ll count on you to:

• 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 offices, the Transit and Freight Rail Market Sectors, and other market sectors as needed.
• Manage scope, budget, and schedule.
• Coordinate the planning and environmental process, manage the assembly of plans, specifications and 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.
• Be able to plan, organize and supervise 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 sole focus of 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 needed.

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
• Shared use (freight and passenger) corridor design experience
• Proven, hands‑on experience in all aspects of rail and/or civil design projects
• 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, 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

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. Example: 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

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.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

Primary Location

United States‑North Carolina‑Charlotte

Schedule

Full‑time

Employee Status

Regular

Job Posting

Apr 3, 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.

Ready to learn more? Let’s work together to make great things possible. We design solutions to the world’s greatest challenges. We’re always looking for great talent to join our global teams.