Staff Rail Engineer: Track Design for Transit & Freight

RINA Piraeus Team; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

RINA North America is seeking a Staff Railroad Engineer to join the Rail & Transit team in Houston, TX or Chicago/Lisle, IL. You will focus on track design and civil design for freight, passenger, and transit rail projects, working under senior engineers and PMs to deliver designs and documentation.

The role offers hands-on design experience on Class I railroad projects, multi-agency coordination, and a clear path toward licensure and increased responsibility.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of professional engineering experience in rail, transit, or transportation civil design, with direct experience in track design.
• Working knowledge of AREMA Manual for Railway Engineering and familiarity with Class I railroad and/or transit agency design standards.
• Proficiency in design modeling and sheet production using Bentley OpenRail Designer (MicroStation/InRoads/OpenRoads).
• Ability to perform track geometry, earthwork, and drainage calculations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear technical documentation.
• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time to project sites and work in field conditions near active railroad operations.
• Valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Develop horizontal and vertical track alignments, including curves, spirals, superelevation, and grade calculations.
• Prepare track layouts for mainline, yard, siding, and industry tracks, including turnout placement.
• Work on corridor improvement projects for dual use Passenger and Freight Railroads.
• Prepare track plans, profiles, typical sections, railroad detail sheets, and construction staging/phasing plans.
• Evaluate existing track conditions using survey data to support rehabilitation and upgrades.

Skills

Track design

AREMA knowledge

Communication skills

Travel up to 25%

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering or Transport Engineering

PE license or ability to obtain

Tools

Bentley OpenRail Designer

Job description

RINA North America is seeking a Staff Railroad Engineer to join the Rail & Transit team in Houston, TX or Chicago/Lisle, IL. You will focus on track design and civil design for freight, passenger, and transit rail projects, working under senior engineers and PMs to deliver designs and documentation.

The role offers hands-on design experience on Class I railroad projects, multi-agency coordination, and a clear path toward licensure and increased responsibility.