Technical Manager - Rail Track

Rail and Transit Practice

Whether moving people or freight, future rail and transit solutions will be determined by energy prices, a shift toward urban living and growing environmental concerns. Michael Baker helps freight, authority and state Department of Transportation clients meet these modern challenges by providing services that address key industry issues such as state of good repair, capacity, safety, community livability, asset management and maintenance, planning and development for new projects, and the promotion of environmental stewardship and sustainability.

We provide value by first understanding our clients’ needs, then working with them as a partner to identify innovative and cost-effective solutions that optimize their opportunities for success.

What We’re Looking For

Michael Baker is seeking a talented Technical Manager, Rail Track, in a full-time remote or hybrid work environment, to help make a difference in our Rail and Transit Practice.  

The successful candidate will focus on rail transportation projects. This position will require close coordination with the technical staff and various technical professionals dispersed within Michael Baker International’s remote staff and various offices.  The successful candidate will prepare, direct and manage layouts of railroad track alignments for both passenger/commuter and freight rail for rail and transit and multi-discipline project teams, mentor staff engineers, help to develop Michael Baker’s Rail and Transit practice, participate in marketing existing clients and growing new clients, and will have a contributing role in the rail and transit leadership organization.

What You Will Do

• Actively participating in technology advancement, identifying technology for strategic implementation
• Disseminating industry information internally to advance staff knowledge
• Encouraging the promotion of the company through trade publications, awards, and conference presentations
• Assisting in the development of Design Standards and Best Practices with rail track leaders
• Performing Design Reviews and QA/QC reviews
• Engaging with relevant industry committees
• Leading evaluation and implementation of innovative technical solutions for internal project teams and clients.
• Designing, directing and/or managing rail-related components of passenger rail, freight rail and commuter rail projects.
• Developing and overseeing the design of track alignments, including special track work such as turnouts, crossovers and diamond crossings.
• Preparing or reviewing geometric details of track alignments including horizontal and vertical curve data.
• Preparing or directing detailed engineering plans using the various Bentley software products (Microstation and OpenRail)
• Playing an integral part in the development and review of plans, specifications and cost estimates for Rail Design projects. 
• Assisting with large multi-disciplinary design teams and leading younger staff on a variety of project tasks
• Engineering investigations including feasibility and type studies with cost and risk analysis
• Performing railroad track inspections and other site inspections during construction and maintenance projects to determine if they are within tolerance levels established by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), AREMA, and other applicable regulations.
• Coordinating with multiple disciplines for conformance to design criteria, standards and code requirements.
• Mentoring and advising staff regarding various FRA, AREMA, Class I Railroad and Passenger/Commuter Railroad requirements and preferences. 
• Developing webinars to share internally and externally to drive technical excellence.

The preferred candidate will have demonstrated experience leading a team for complex project delivery and have demonstrated adaptation to and integration of new technologies into the workplace.   

We are a community built on our employees’ relationships and the Technical Manager should actively engage in building and fostering personal relationships with the staff.  As part of this, they will remain in communications with leadership and be the technical link between the local offices and the larger rail practice effectively becoming a trusted advisor for the track group. Although not required to answer every technical question, they will strive to be able to point staff in the right direction for resolution, in other words, the Technical Manager will have intimate awareness of track design resources and maintain an expansive network throughout the company.

What You Need To Succeed

• Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering is required. Master’s degree is a plus. 
• PE license is required. NCEES record is a plus.
• 15+ years of demonstrated experience on various types of rail projects, to include design and plan development of rail projects is required.
• Previously demonstrated project experience with Class I Railroad design and Commuter/Transit Agencies preferred.
• Candidate must have thorough knowledge of and practical experience applying AREMA. 
• Must possess excellent client management skills and be able to enhance and develop solid client relationships.
• Proven experience in working on multiple projects concurrently, managing project deadlines and on-time submittals.
• Strong work ethic and ability to work independently as well as within a multidisciplinary team
• Excellent verbal, interpersonal skills and problem-solving ability
• Ability to assist in developing strategic approaches and concepts.
• Availability to occasionally travel to other local offices, job site locations, and business development locations.

What Would Make Me Stand Out as a Candidate

• Member of an AREMA Committee in good standing 
• Possess high initiative and demonstrate a proactive, collaborative approach to project development with project team members, clients, contractors and review agencies.
• Strong relationships with Class I Railroad(s) and Commuter/Transit Agencies and understanding of coordination requirements and preferences.
• Master’s degree in Railroad Engineering 
• Experience working for Class I railroad in design and construction. 

Compensation

The approximate compensation range for this position is $125,000 - $190,000 annual. This compensation range is a good-faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Actual compensation is dependent upon factors such as education, qualifications, experience, skillset, and physical work location.

THIS POSTING IS FOR A CURRENT VACANCY AND MICHAEL BAKER INTENDS TO FILL THIS POSITION BY 12/20/26.

About UsMichael Baker International, a leading provider of engineering and consulting services, including design, planning, architectural, environmental, construction and program management, has been solving some of the world’s most complex infrastructure challenges for more than 85 years with a legacy of expertise, experience, innovation and integrity.

Based in Pittsburgh and with over 100 offices nationwide, we partner with clients on everything from roads, bridges, tunnels, mass transit, and airports, to water treatment plants, arctic oil pipelines, environmental restoration and specialized overseas construction. We serve as a trusted adviser to the communities we serve, making them safer, more accessible, more sustainable and more prosperous.

We provide visionary leadership in facilitating transformational change for our clients. Our work delivers differentiating innovations and dedicated experts who challenge the status quo and share a world of diverse experience and an impassioned entrepreneurial spirit. We deliver quality of life.

We Make a Difference.