Director of Rail/Transit

Valdes is seeking an experienced Director of Rail/Transit to lead the development and growth of our new rail and transit services group in Lombard, IL (with hybrid or remote options available). This doer-seller role will focus on leveraging our multidisciplinary engineering capabilities for rail and transit projects, including commuter rail, rapid transit, bus systems, and freight railroads. The ideal candidate will bring 15 years of rail/transit experience, with a strong emphasis on projects involving METRA, CTA, PACE, and major railroads, and will use established relationships to introduce Valdes to new clients and opportunities. This is a ground-floor leadership position in an emerging practice area, offering the chance to build and scale a team while actively contributing to technical delivery and business development, complementing our highway and aviation groups.

Responsibilities

• Drive business development by identifying, pursuing, and securing opportunities with METRA, CTA, PACE, railroads (e.g., Class I freight operators), and related agencies, leveraging personal networks to expand Valdes' presence in the rail/transit sector
• Lead strategic planning for rail/transit services, including market analysis, service integration with Valdes' existing civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, and environmental engineering offerings, and alignment with overall transportation group goals
• Oversee the full lifecycle of rail/transit projects, from planning and design to construction management, ensuring compliance with FRA, FTA, AREMA, and local regulations
• Manage multidisciplinary teams in delivering solutions for track design, signaling systems, stations, maintenance facilities, rolling stock integration, and transit-oriented developments
• Serve as a technical expert and hands-on contributor ("doer") in project execution, including design reviews, feasibility studies, and problem-solving for complex infrastructure challenges
• Build and mentor a rail/transit team, promoting collaboration across departments to deliver innovative, sustainable solutions for capacity expansion, electrification, and resilience
• Cultivate long-term client relationships, acting as the primary liaison with stakeholders to address needs in safety, operations, and funding (e.g., federal grants like FTA Capital Investment Grants)
• Collaborate with internal leaders on budgeting, resource allocation, performance metrics, and business planning to drive revenue growth
• Stay current on industry trends, such as high-speed rail advancements, positive train control, and sustainable transit practices, to position Valdes as a thought leader
• Contribute to proposals, negotiations, and public engagements, including regulatory interactions and industry presentations
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, Transportation Engineering, or a related field
• 15 years of progressive experience in rail/transit engineering, planning, or consulting, with direct involvement in projects for METRA, CTA, PACE, and railroads
• Proven track record as a doer-seller, balancing technical project delivery with successful business development and client relationship management
• Strong knowledge of rail/transit standards (e.g., FRA, FTA, AREMA, MUTCD) and federal funding processes
• Excellent leadership, communication, and negotiation skills, with the ability to motivate teams and influence stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel for client meetings, site visits, and industry events (valid driver's license required)
• Master's degree in engineering, Transportation Planning, or a related discipline
• Professional Engineer (PE) license, preferably in Illinois or multiple states
• Experience with multidisciplinary firms like Crawford, Murphy & Tilly or Mead & Hunt, focusing on rail/transit infrastructure, innovative designs, and stakeholder collaboration
• Familiarity with software tools such as Bentley Rail Track, AutoCAD Civil 3D, or simulation software for transit modeling
• Prior leadership in growing a rail/transit practice, including team development and revenue generation
• Active involvement in industry organizations like APTA, AREMA, or ASCE
• Must possess exceptional interpersonal and organizational skills
• Must be able to work in the US without sponsorship now or in the future
  
  

$150,000 - $225,000 a year

Salaries for all positions are based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to relevant experience, total years of experience in the industry, education, skills, and qualifications. Compensation may vary depending on the candidate's individual background and expertise. Salaries are subject to fluctuation outside of the given range. The indicated range is not a commitment and meant as a guideline. All compensation, exempt or non-exempt status, and benefits will be discussed during the interview process.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.