Senior Rail Engineer

Job Description This is a critical hire supporting the restart and expansion of Charlotteu2019s light rail (Silver Line) program. The team is preparing for upcoming major design efforts and longu2011term growth, with a strong emphasis on being onsite and embedded with the local team. This role serves as an understudy to two senior leaders nearing retirement, including the lead track designer. The individual will step into a technical leadership and interdisciplinary coordination role, with the opportunity to grow into the primary rail discipline lead and potentially manage the entire client relationship over time. Candidates with light rail experience are ideal, but strong roadway or BRT engineers with a clear interest in rail will also be considered. Overview / Responsibilities The Senior Rail Engineer will lead and support the delivery of complex rail infrastructure projects while serving as either a technical authority or people leader, depending on career preference. This is a civil rail infrastructure role focused on track, alignment, stations, bridges, tunnels, and supporting systems u2014 not rail operations, rolling stock, or mechanical systems. Key Responsibilities u2003u2022 Serve as technical lead for rail infrastructure design, including: u2003u2003u25cb Track alignment and geometry u2003u2003u25cb Stations, bridges, tunnels, and supporting structures u2003u2022 Act as an interdisciplinary lead coordinating across civil, structural, and rail systems teams u2003u2022 Ensure compliance with rail standards and regulations (AREMA, FRA, CPUC, AAR) u2003u2022 Lead QA/QC efforts and ensure deliverables meet schedule and quality expectations u2003u2022 Support construction activities: u2003u2003u25cb Respond to RFIs u2003u2003u25cb Review and approve shop drawings and construction submittals u2003u2003u25cb Resolve field engineering issues u2003u2022 Participate in client meetings and serve as a trusted technical advisor u2003u2022 Lead proposal efforts, including: u2003u2003u25cb Developing track approach narratives u2003u2003u25cb Supporting org charts u2003u2003u25cb Serving as PM for final design, scopes, and fees u2003u2022 Mentor junior engineers and help develop the next generation of rail talent u2003u2022 Stay current on industry trends and contribute to longu2011term rail strategy and growth What Success Looks Like u2003u2022 Projects stay on schedule, within scope, and meet QA/QC standards u2003u2022 Strong collaboration across disciplines and with clients u2003u2022 Effective leadership of proposals and final design efforts u2003u2022 Smooth knowledge transfer from retiring senior staff u2003u2022 Growth toward becoming the rail discipline lead and longu2011term client owner Fieldu2003Details Job Titleu2003Senior Rail Engineer Location(s) & Travel Expectationsu2003Charlotte, NC; local travel and occasional conferences Onu2011site vs. Hybrid Requirementsu2003Hybrid u2013 3+ days onsite Relocation Assistance (Yes/No u2013 details)u2003Yes u2013 Relocation open (Recruiting Team; Chad) Open to Relocation Candidates (Yes/No)u2003Yes Salary / Bill Rate Range + Signing Bonusu2003$125,000 u2013 $190,000+ base; signing bonus available Compensation Flexibility (Is top of range realistic? Nonu2011salary levers?)u2003Yes u2013 top of range realistic; flexibility via signing bonus, leadership scope, longu2011term growth Interview Processu20032 virtual interviews + final inu2011person (flyu2011in) Ideal Start Dateu2003Targeting May Background Check Requirementsu2003Yes Expected Hours / Scheduleu2003Fullu2011time Overtime Expected (Yes/No u2013 Paid u2013 straight time OT or OT)u2003Yes u2013 straightu2011time overtime Other (company vehicle, mileage, travel, per diem)u2003Local travel; some conferences Certifications Required / Client Pays (Yes/No u2013 which)u2003PE required Previous Feedback on this roleu2003Very niche rail skillset; limited PEu2011licensed rail talent Role Context & Business Need Questionu2003Details Why is this role open?u2003Niche role supporting restart of Charlotte Silver Line (light rail). Onsite presence required. Can be technical lead or people manager. Understudy to two senior staff nearing retirement (including lead track designer). Will become interdisciplinary lead with unlimited growth. 3u20135 year horizon targeting ~60% design and expanded PM responsibility. What business problem does this hire solve in the next 6u201312 months?u2003Provides PE oversight across major and smaller rail projects, supports delivery and diversification of rail work (~90% rail focus). Candidate Requirements Skillsetu2003Why Criticalu2003Acceptable Alternatives Top Mustu2011Have #1: PE License (Required)u2003Required for oversight, QA/QC, regulatory compliance, and dayu2011tou2011day technical guidanceu2003None Top Mustu2011Have #2: Leadership Experience (10u201315+ yrs)u2003Ability to lead teams, mentor staff, and act as secondu2011inu2011command or future people manageru2003Senior technical lead with strong communication & mentoring Top Mustu2011Have #3: Rail / Transportation Technical Depthu2003Must show experience with light rail, large transportation, or BRT projects; interdisciplinary coordinationu2003Roadway engineers eager to move into light rail Top Mustu2011Have #4: Business Development / Proposal Experienceu2003Leads track approach, org charts, scopes, fees; PM for final designu2003Partial proposal leadership with strong technical input Top Mustu2011Have #5: Software (OpenRoads, MicroStation)u2003Core delivery tools; OpenRail preferred; AutoCAD background acceptableu2003Strong MicroStation/OpenRoads with willingness to learn OpenRail Top Mustu2011Have #6u2003N/Au2003N/A Niceu2011tou2011Have #1u2003Masteru2019s degreeu2003N/A Niceu2011tou2011Have #2u2003Light rail / transit agency experienceu2003N/A Niceu2011tou2011Have #3u2003Prior discipline or interdisciplinary leadu2003N/A Niceu2011tou2011Have #4u2003Publicu2011sector / politically complex projectsu2003N/A Automatic Disqualifiers (hard nou2019s)u2003Frequent job hopping / lack of stabilityu2003u2014 Flexibility Areasu2003Direct people management, exact software mix, rail vs. roadway backgroundu2003u2014 Role Breakdown & Success Metrics Area Description Primary Responsibility #1 (% of time) Ensure deliverables stay on schedule; QA/QC; interdisciplinary leadership; client meetings (~40u201350%) Primary Responsibility #2 (% of time) Proposal leadership; write track approach; key orgu2011chart role; PM for final design, scopes, fees (~30u201340%) Primary Responsibility #3 (% of time) Mentor junior engineers; succession planning (~10u201315%) Primary Responsibility #4 (% of time) Business growth and client expansion (~5u201310%) What does success look like in this role? Onu2011time, highu2011quality delivery; smooth succession from retiring staff; trusted client leadership How is success measured? We are a company committed to creating diverse and inclusive environments where people can bring their full, authentic selves to work every day. We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer that believes everyone matters. Qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment regardless of their race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, ancestry, genetic factors, age, disability, protected veteran status, military or uniformed service member status, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to learn more about how we collect, keep, and process your private information, please review Insight Global's Workforce Privacy Policy: Skills and Requirements u2022 Bacheloru2019s degree in Civil Engineering u2003u2022 Professional Engineer (PE) license u2003u2022 12+ years of experience in rail, transportation, or heavy civil infrastructure u2003u2022 Strong technical background in rail or largeu2011scale transportation projects u2003u2022 Proficiency with: u2003u2003u25cb MicroStation u2003u2003u25cb OpenRoads u2003u2003u25cb OpenRail (preferred) u2003u2003u25cb AutoCAD / Civil 3D u2003u2022 Experience leading or significantly contributing to multidisciplinary teams u2003u2022 Demonstrated ability to mentor junior staff u2003u2022 Strong communication skills (clientu2011facing) u2003u2022 Experience with QA/QC, schedules, and deliverable management u2003u2022 Stability in work history (no frequent job hopping) u2022 Light rail or transit rail experience u2003u2022 Roadway or BRT background with strong interest in transitioning to rail u2003u2022 Prior people management or discipline leadership experience u2003u2022 Experience leading proposal development and business development efforts u2003u2022 Masteru2019s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering u2003u2022 Exposure to publicu2011sector clients and politically complex projects u2003u2022 Ability and interest in growing into full discipline or client on-siteship

Created: 2026-04-04