Rail Construction Department Manager

Michael Baker Rail and Transit Practice

Whether moving people or freight, future rail and transit solutions will be shaped by energy costs, urban growth, and environmental priorities. Michael Baker helps freight railroads, transit authorities, and state DOTs address these challenges through services focused on state of good repair, capacity, safety, asset management, and sustainable infrastructure solutions. By partnering closely with our clients, we deliver innovative, practical, and cost‑effective solutions that support the successful delivery of complex rail and transit projects.

What We’re Looking For:

Michael Baker International is seeking a Rail Construction Department Manager to lead our Rail Construction Services Group. Responsible for the day-to-day management and operation of our dedicated Rail Construction team and projects across multiple offices nationwide and coordination with other Construction Department Managers across the regions and offices to hire and staff Rail Construction projects. Responsible for project delivery oversight of all projects being undertaken by the Rail Construction Department, including adhering to scope, schedule, budget, and quality control/quality assurance, staff utilization and the safety of the team. We are looking for a railway-focused leader who will collaborate with our CM’s/CI's, Resident Engineers, and Inspectors focused on serving our clients to provide high quality construction services across the nation. This role will be responsible for developing and growing the team as well as developing and maintaining positive client relations.

In addition to management responsibilities, the Rail Construction Department Manager will support the Director, Rail & Transit Construction Services to develop, implement and expand our project portfolio and client base. It is expected that this role will also support our Rail Directors with construction services, as directed.

What You’ll Do:

• Responsible for management and coordination of dedicated rail construction personnel
• Responsible for goals, metrics and budgets at the department level
• Executes personnel management duties to include hiring, training, timekeeping approval, performance assessment, and other essential talent management tasks
• Participate in development of proposals and scope and fees
• Business Development
  • Assists in developing and maintaining client relations and management, including monitoring client satisfaction. Clients include internal and external.
  • Fully engage on key Department pursuits.
• Project Management/Construction Management Duties
  • Oversee project requirements by ensuring that quality standards and project deadlines are met.
  • Review status reports prepared by project personnel and modify schedules or plans, as required.
  • Direct and coordinate activities of project personnel to ensure progress remains on schedule and within prescribed budget.
  • Confer with project personnel to provide technical advice and resolve problems.
  • Generate and/or approve purchase orders, invoices, credits, and review time sheets.
  • Attend job, CM/Design coordination meetings, and most technical meetings.
  • Coordinate and lead project progress meetings and document meeting minutes.
• Quality Management and Training
  • Lead department compliance and adherence to quality management and quality assurance practices and compliance with Michael Baker Way Quality Management requirements.
  • Maintains current knowledge regarding applicable regulatory, legal, industry practice and company/client standards of practice.
  • Maintain ultimate responsibility for delivery of project quality, cost, schedule, and safety:
    • Develop, maintain, distribute, and maintain project-specific Project Management Plan, including Health & Safety Plans and Quality Management Plans in conjunction with Client specific plans
    • Assist Director in conducting safety meetings and training programs to ensure safety requirements are met
    • Coordinate audits of quality management processes and procedures
• Occasional to moderate travel might be required.
• Other duties as assigned.

What You Need to Succeed:

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, construction management or a related field required
• 15+ years’ experience in related construction oversight/management required
• Professional Engineer (P.E.) license
• Certified Construction Manager (CCM) a plus
• Familiarity with track construction and rail bridge construction, preferred
• Familiarity with working in active rail facilities, preferred
• Track safety certification, preferred
• Proven experience working for freight rail clients
• Demonstrated proficiency in project safety, scheduling (CPM scheduling, Primavera, Microsoft Project), staffing, cost estimating, risk management, quality management, and project/document controls
• Be a proactive critical thinker/problem solver
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Collaboration minded individual working within team environment
• Dedication to project goals, client satisfaction, corporate aspirations, business development, growth objectives, staff development, and operational excellence

Compensation:

The approximate compensation range for this position is $110,000 - $160,000 per year. 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.