Senior Rail Operations Project Manager

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Overview

Transportation Strategic Talent Acquisition Lead at HDR

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we work to weave diversity, equity, and inclusion into our work and foster a sense of belonging throughout the company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

Position

HDR is seeking a Senior Railroad Operations Project Manager who will:

  • Develop operating plans for freight and passenger rail projects
  • Create and deliver planning documents, reports, and presentations that describe and elaborate new or changed rail operations
  • Advise and mentor Rail Traffic Controller (RTC) modelers, support the development of realistic RTC model inputs, and analyze and verify RTC model outputs
  • Provide freight and passenger rail operations expertise to internal HDR team members, including engineers, economists, planners and environmental scientists
  • Be the primary point of contact with clients and maintain HDR’s reputation as an expert, trusted advisor
  • Maintain and develop client relationships with freight railroad officials and public agency officials
  • Participate in industry associations and events
  • Lead proposal development efforts
  • Demonstrate ownership and personal responsibility for delivering quality products that adhere to scope, schedule, and budget while meeting client expectations

The successful candidate will have verifiable experience in freight rail planning and understand national freight rail traffic patterns; typical main line, yard, and branch line operating practices; regulatory requirements related to rail operations; and operational needs and market strategies of the railroad industry.

This position is expected to seek out and develop opportunities for HDR market growth and work proactively and collegially as a member of numerous teams and multiple projects at any one time. The candidate is required to have excellent oral and written communication skills to proactively engage HDR clients.

Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Broad knowledge of U.S. and Canadian freight railroad operations, regulations, networks, markets, infrastructure, and rail network strategic planning. Knowledge includes ownership, traffic characteristics, geography, and commercial and strategic roles and value of rail lines and rail traffic types in the U.S. and Canada, including intermodal, bulk commodity, and manifest freight. Familiarity with terminology, business practices, labor arrangements, management organization, and regulatory environment of freight railroading at Class I, regional, and short line railroads.
  • Experience in railroad operations or operations planning with a Class I or II railroad in roles such as Trainmaster, Train Dispatcher, Manager of Train Operations, or Service Designer
  • At least fifteen (15) years of experience in the railroad industry
  • Knowledge of intercity and commuter passenger rail operations, and understanding of interactions of train operations on shared corridors and technical requirements for developing passenger rail improvement projects and new services on dedicated and shared-ownership corridors
  • Experience in writing and preparing documents to support projects that include freight-railroad initiatives, shipper initiatives, and projects for public funding, including development of grant applications, operating plans, economic models, Service Development Plans, Project Management Plans, and Project Financial Plans
  • Bachelor’s degree in engineering, communications, economics, or social science (preferred)
  • Knowledge of RTC model usage and ability to work with RTC modelers to develop methodology, inputs, and present model outputs to clients

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor\'s degree in related field
  • 10 years related experience
  • Minimum of 5 years of project management experience
  • Familiar with Microsoft Office, estimating and scheduling software, and project management software
  • Ability to interact with design teams and strong organizational, project management, and communication skills
  • Commitment to HDR’s employee-owned culture

Travel and Location

Travel may be up to 50%.

Locations

  • Primary Location: United States-Nebraska-Omaha
  • Other Locations: United States-Ohio-Cincinnati, United States-Texas-Round Rock, United States-North Carolina-Charlotte, United States-Washington-Bellevue, United States-Missouri-Kansas City, United States-South Dakota-Sioux Falls, United States-Minnesota-Saint Louis Park, United States-Alabama-Mobile, United States-Florida-Fort Lauderdale, United States-Tennessee-Nashville, United States-New Jersey-Newark, United States-Maryland-Baltimore, United States-Louisiana-New Orleans, United States-Texas-Fort Worth, United States-Kentucky-Paducah, United States-Montana-Missoula, United States-District of Columbia-Washington DC, United States-New Mexico-Albuquerque, United States-Texas-Houston, United States-California-Irvine, United States-Wisconsin-Madison, United States-Florida-Tallahassee, United States-California-San Francisco, United States-South Carolina-Charleston, United States-Iowa-Des Moines, United States-Virginia-Vienna, United States-Portland, United States-Florida-Orlando, United States-Alaska-Anchorage, United States-Texas-Corpus Christi, United States-Minnesota-Minneapolis, United States-Washington-Seattle, United States-Indiana-Indianapolis, United States-Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh, United States-Nevada-Las Vegas, United States-Montana-Billings, United States-Texas-Dallas, United States-California-San Diego, United States-Iowa-Cedar Rapids, United States-Pennsylvania-Philadelphia, United States-Texas-Austin, United States-Louisiana-Metairie, United States-Virginia-Virginia Beach, United States-Florida-Miami, United States-Massachusetts-Boston, United States-Colorado-Denver, United States-California-Sacramento, United States-Connecticut-Rocky Hill, United States-Missouri-St Louis, United States-New York-New York, United States-New Jersey-Newark, United States-Georgia-Savannah, United States-Arkansas-Little Rock, United States-Utah-Salt Lake City, United States-Louisiana-Lafayette, United States-Hawaii-Honolulu, United States-Oklahoma-Tulsa, United States-Michigan-Detroit, United States-Arizona-Phoenix, United States-North Dakota-Bismarck, United States-Kentucky-Louisville, United States-Georgia-Atlanta, United States-Maine-Portland, United States-Illinois-Rosemont, United States-California-Walnut Creek, United States-Oklahoma-Oklahoma City, United States-North Dakota-Fargo, United States-Louisiana-Baton Rouge, United States-Virginia-Richmond, United States-Florida-Jacksonville, United States-Illinois-Chicago, United States-Rhode Island-Providence, United States-California-Los Angeles

Business and Industry

Industry: Freight Rail

Schedule: Full-time

Employee Status: Regular

Job Posting: Jul 8, 2025

We are an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.

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