Track Engineering Technical Lead

VHB; Princeton (NJ); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

VHB is seeking a Track Engineering Technical Lead to guide track design across a broad rail portfolio in the Transit & Rail practice. The role focuses on senior technical leadership, mentoring junior engineers, and coordinating with signals, civil, structures, and utility teams to deliver complex projects.

You will manage critical interfaces, lead testing and commissioning, and support project controls while growing VHB's rail presence on high-profile programs.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Civil Engineering, Railway Engineering, or related field (M.S. preferred).
• 11+ years of experience in track engineering, rail construction, or permanent way infrastructure.
• PE license is required; PMIS experience with e-Builder or SharePoint is expected.
• Strong writing, communication, and stakeholder coordination skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and design oversight for trackwork construction and rehab.
• Plan construction sequencing, WBS, track access, possession plans, and outage windows.
• Coordinate with signals, traction power, civil, structures, and utilities teams.
• Review submittals, RFIs, QA/QC programs, and project controls for rail projects.
• Lead testing, commissioning, and integration with train control systems.
• Support project controls, scheduling, cost tracking, and risk management.

Skills

Technical leadership

Mentoring

Stakeholder coordination

Rail systems integration

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Education

B.S. in Civil Engineering

M.S. preferred

PE license

Tools

e-Builder

SharePoint

Job description

Track Engineering Technical Lead

Job Locations

• US-NY-New York City
• US-NJ-Newark
• US-PA-Philadelphia
• US-NJ-Jersey City
• US-NJ-Manasquan
• US-NJ-Princeton

Type

Regular Full-Time

Career Stage Type

Experienced

Overview

VHB is seeking a Track Engineering Technical Lead to join our Transit & Rail practice. In this role, you will serve as the senior technical lead for track design projects, guiding a team of engineers while delivering complex rail programs. You will lead track design across a diverse portfolio of projects including the Resorts World MTA program, major design-build pursuits, ADA improvement packages, and corridor infrastructure improvements. This role offers the opportunity to work on high-profile passenger rail systems while helping expand VHB's growing Transit & Rail presence.

Beyond technical leadership, this position plays a key role in mentoring junior engineers, supporting project pursuits, and helping to grow the future of VHB's rail practice. It's an ideal opportunity for a senior track engineer who enjoys balancing technical design leadership, team development, and strategic growth within a collaborative and people-focused environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and design oversight for trackwork construction, rehabilitation, and capital improvement projects across rail and transit programs.
• Plan and coordinate construction sequencing, work breakdown structures (WBS), track access, possession plans, and outage windows in partnership with rail operations teams.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams (signals, communications, traction power, civil, structures, and utilities) to ensure seamless integration of track systems.
• Manage critical interface points including track geometry verification, bonding and grounding requirements, and signaling or train control cutovers.
• Implement quality assurance and quality control programs, including inspection and test plans (ITPs), geometry acceptance testing, ultrasonic rail testing, and weld qualification oversight.
• Review and manage contractor submittals, RFIs, material approvals, nonconformance reports, and construction documentation.
• Support project controls and delivery, including schedule coordination, cost tracking, risk management, change management, and progress reporting.
• Provide technical direction to contractors, inspectors, and project teams, resolving field issues and supporting claims resolution as needed.
• Lead testing and commissioning activities, including track geometry acceptance, clearance checks, and integration with signal and train control systems.
• Represent VHB in meetings with clients, contractors, regulatory agencies, and project stakeholders, presenting technical recommendations and project updates.
• Stay current with emerging track design practices, materials, and technologies to enhance project delivery and performance.

Requirements

• B.S. in Civil Engineering, Railway Engineering, or related field (M.S. preferred).
• 11+ years of experience in track engineering, rail construction, or permanent way infrastructure.
• Proven experience delivering rail or transit capital programs, including new construction and rehabilitation projects.
• Experience managing special trackwork installations and mainline track geometry in active rail environments.
• Familiarity with construction submittals, RFIs, QA/QC programs, and project controls for rail infrastructure projects.
• Understanding of rail systems integration, particularly coordination with signaling and train control systems.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
• Experience with PMIS platforms such as e-Builder, SharePoint, or similar systems.
• Strong technical writing, communication, and stakeholder coordination skills.
• Knowledge of industry standards including AREMA, FRA, IEEE, and FTA guidelines.

The full-time annual base salary range for this position, located in New York, NY, is $170,000 to $220,000 and $170,000 to $200,000 if located in Newark, NJ. The base salary offered will be determined based on job-related factors, including geographic location, internal equity, experience, credentials, skills, education, work schedule, and other factors permitted by law. The posted salary range reflects base pay only. Additional compensation and benefits available to eligible employees are outlined in our Total Rewards Program.

Annual base salary is one component of VHB's Total Rewards package. In addition to base pay, eligible employees may receive annual incentive compensation bonuses, spot bonuses, and merit-based salary increases, providing opportunities to increase earnings beyond base pay. VHB also offers a differentiating work experience, including a comprehensive benefits package that includes eligibility to participate in the VHB 401(k) plan, medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, wellness programs, tuition reimbursement, and recognition programs.

Details on VHB's benefits package can be found here: Benefits Checklist

Building what's next, together.

Our people make the difference. We foster a technology-empowered, peopledriven, futureready culture where agility, innovation, and collaboration shape how we work every day.

When you join VHB, you'll find:

• Meaningful work on complex projects with real community impact
• A collaborative, inclusive culture that values curiosity and shared success
• Support to grow your skills and lead through change
• Learning and development supported by evolving tools and technologies, including AI
• Best-in-class benefits and a flexible, hybrid work environment

We're growing across the East Coast and are consistently recognized as a great place to work. Ready to shape what's next? Learn more about what sets our employee experience apart and connect with us.

VHB is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. Since our founding, we have intentionally fostered a culture of inclusion and belonging, supported by deep-rooted core values, one of which is diversity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.