Rail Construction Department Manager

Job Description

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.

About Us

Michael 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.

Michael Baker International is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Michael Baker International provides equal employment opportunity for all persons, in all facets of employment. Michael Baker International maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply for any open position for which they feel they are qualified and all will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, familial status, pregnancy or childbirth, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status, status with regard to public assistance, or membership or activity in a local human rights commission, or any other legally protected status.

EEO is the Law. Applicants to and employees of Michael Baker International are protected under Federal law from discrimination.

• It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
• There is no current application deadline. Michael Baker will continue to accept applications on an ongoing basis until the position is filled or no longer needed.