Freight Rail Client Team Leader / Senior Project Manager, Transit and Rail - Portland, OR

David Evans and Associates (DEA) is seeking a highly skilled Freight Rail Client Team Leader / Senior Project Manager. This position can sit located in Tacoma, Salt Lake City, Portland or Denver to focus specifically on our Rail Market’s Strategic Growth. The position's responsibilities are varied and include actively contributing to both project management and business development efforts to support our Transit and Rail Group. The ideal candidate will be a highly motivated leader and self-starter, bringing a wealth of experience and market expertise to a range of multi-disciplinary transit and rail projects. From conceptualization to execution, you'll play a vital role in shaping the infrastructure of tomorrow.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Market Development: Identify and evaluate new market opportunities in alignment with the team. Develop and implement strategies to target and pursue specific new clients and projects.
• Business Development: Manage full lifecycle relationships with clients, selling all DEA services across business units. Develop new business, lead cross-unit selling, forecast sales, and stay updated on client technology trends.
• Client Management: Build and maintain strong client relationships, ensuring high client satisfaction, conducting experience surveys, and representing the DEA Difference. Lead client contract negotiations. Serve as a high-level point of contact between the client(s) and DEA.
• Project Management: Act as principal-in-charge or project manager as needed, monitor project manager performance, coach other PMs on client expectations. Manage contractual responsibilities and mitigate project risks. Ensure clients receive timely, budget-conscious, high-quality project deliverables that meet or exceed industry standards.
• Leadership and Mentoring: Manage, lead, and mentor junior engineers and project managers, fostering their professional growth and supporting them in delivering high-quality project contributions.
• Team and Resource Leadership: Lead pursuit staffing and partner decisions, make go/no-go decisions, and oversee revenue forecasting and client profitability.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a related engineering field.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in civil engineering design, with a focus on freight rail land development projects. Experience within the railroad engineering industry and familiarity with railroad design guidelines, specifications, and design criteria.
• Strong ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
• Ability to travel periodically for client visits, business development and project work.
• Experience with delivering projects for BNSF, UPRR, CPKC, NS and/or industry rail.
• Proven track record in winning and delivering projects and building transportation business.
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office software and communication tools
• Excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and organizational traits. Strong technical writing abilities, and effectiveness in presenting to clients and the public.
• Ability to plan, organize and supervise work of medium to large staff of professionals and technicians
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Preference given to Texas location or proximity to client(s)
• Ability to serve DEA and our clients as a technical expert with recognized authority in an area of specialization.
  
  

Benefits

• Comprehensive health coverage: Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, and Life Insurance.
• Financial wellness: Health Savings Account (HSA) and Lifestyle Spending Account with employer contributions.
• Professional development: Support for continuing education and training opportunities.
• Work-life balance: Paid Time Off (PTO), Holiday Pay, and flexible 9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off).
• Retirement: 401k plan.
• Wellbeing focus: Holistic Wellbeing Program centered on physical, emotional, financial, career, and community health.
• Growth opportunities: Access to mentorship, professional support, and pathways for career advancement.
• Potential salary range: $130,000 -$210,000
• The posted salary range represents the typical range for this position and is provided in accordance with applicable state and local transparency laws. Actual compensation will be commensurate with experience, qualifications, and geographic location.
  

Transit, Rail, and Engineering Jobs with DEA

DEA provides our clients with proven experience in planning, design and engineering, surveying, and construction oversight for a wide range of projects. Our professionals have the technical expertise to develop successful projects for freight and passenger rail systems and other transportation projects. We work directly with Class I railroads, industrial clients, ports, and public agencies to assist with the ongoing and ever-increasing demand to move freight, people, and cargo safely and more efficiently. Our in-house civil engineers, structural engineers, transportation planners and engineers, environmental specialists, and surveyors work together to develop cost-effective and constructible design solutions for our clients.

DEA is proud to be an EEO employer and all qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to characteristics protected by applicable local, state or federal law, such as race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, marital status, veteran or military status, genetic information or sexual orientation.

Potential office locations include: Denver, CO; Omaha, NE; Portland, OR; Salt Lake City, UT; Tacoma, WA; Remote.