Senior Project Cargo Specialist, Rail Logistics

Job Summary: 

The Senior Project Cargo Specialist, Rail Logistics is responsible for the strategic planning, engineering, and execution of complex project cargo movements with a primary focus on rail transportation. This role serves as the organization’s subject matter expert for rail-based heavy-lift and oversized cargo solutions and plays a critical role in designing multimodal logistics strategies for large-scale industrial and infrastructure projects. 

The position requires deep experience with rail routing, dimensional analysis, specialized railcar equipment, rail engineering constraints, and coordination with Class I railroads, short-line carriers, and transload facilities. The Senior Specialist will also support commercial teams in developing competitive logistics solutions for project bids and large customer engagements. 

Key Responsibilities: 

Rail Logistics Strategy & Expertise 

• Serve as the subject matter expert for rail transport of oversized and heavy-lift cargo. 

• Design rail logistics solutions for complex domestic and international project cargo movements. 

• Evaluate rail routings, clearance requirements, bridge restrictions, and infrastructure constraints. 

• Select appropriate specialized rail equipment including flatcars, depressed center cars, Schnabel cars, and heavy-capacity railcars. 

Project Planning & Execution 

• Lead the end-to-end planning and execution of large-scale project cargo shipments involving rail transport. 

• Develop detailed transportation plans including routing analysis, lifting strategies, transload operations, and final delivery. 

• Oversee multimodal project logistics involving combinations of rail, heavy-haul trucking, barge, and ocean freight. 

• Monitor project execution, proactively resolving operational challenges and ensuring timeline adherence. 

Commercial Support & Solution Design 

• Collaborate with business development and commercial teams to design logistics solutions for project bids. 

• Provide technical input and cost modeling for large infrastructure, energy, and industrial projects. 

• Prepare detailed rail cost estimates, routing analyses, and operational feasibility assessments. 

• Participate in customer meetings to present project logistics strategies and rail transport capabilities. 

Carrier & Vendor Relationship Management 

• Maintain strategic relationships with Class I railroads, short-line operators, specialized railcar providers, and transload terminals. 

• Coordinate with heavy-haul carriers, port operators, crane companies, and engineering partners. 

• Negotiate service agreements and operational arrangements for project-specific rail movements. 

Engineering, Compliance & Risk Management 

• Ensure compliance with rail industry standards, AAR loading rules, and applicable regulatory requirements. 

• Conduct route risk assessments and identify mitigation strategies for dimensional or infrastructure challenges. 

• Coordinate rail clearance studies and route approvals with rail carriers. 

Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration 

• Provide technical leadership and guidance to project logistics coordinators and operations staff. 

• Act as a mentor for junior team members developing rail logistics expertise. 

• Work closely with operations, procurement, and commercial teams to ensure alignment on project execution. 

Reporting & Continuous Improvement 

• Develop operational performance metrics for rail project logistics. 

• Conduct post-project reviews to identify opportunities for cost savings and operational improvements. 

• Maintain knowledge of evolving rail regulations, infrastructure developments, and specialized equipment availability. 

Required Qualifications: 

• 8–15 years of experience in project cargo, heavy-lift logistics, or oversized transportation. 

• Extensive expertise in North American rail transportation and specialized rail equipment. 

• Demonstrated experience managing large-scale multimodal project logistics movements. 

• Strong understanding of rail clearances, routing analysis, and infrastructure limitations. 

• Proven ability to develop transportation plans for complex industrial cargo. 

• Excellent stakeholder management skills with rail carriers, vendors, and customers. 

• Strong analytical, planning, and problem-solving capabilities. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience working directly with Class I railroads and rail engineering teams. 

• Knowledge of AAR loading standards and rail securement engineering. 

• Background in energy, oil & gas, renewable energy, mining, or industrial construction logistics. 

• Experience supporting EPC contractors or large capital project logistics. 

• Project management certification or logistics-related professional credentials. 

Required Skills/Abilities: 

• Rail project logistics expertise 

• Heavy-lift transportation planning 

• Commercial solution development 

• Vendor and carrier negotiation 

• Risk assessment and mitigation 

• Leadership and technical mentorship 

• Multimodal supply chain design preferred