Assistant Vice President, Track Design Lead

WSP•New York, NY

17h•$115,000 - $186,400•Hybrid

About The Position

WSP is seeking an Assistant Vice President, Track Design Lead to join their Transit & Rail Team. This role will support the planning, design, and delivery of rail modernization projects, including Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) and its supporting track design and capital construction projects for major transit clients in the New York metropolitan region. The position is based in the greater New York City/New Jersey Area. This role combines hands-on track design leadership with technical signal-systems, field inspection experience, and third-party design coordination. The candidate will ensure project work aligns with design intent, contract requirements, and operational standards. Responsibilities include providing strategic direction for track design aspects of transit and railroad projects, guiding the engineering process from planning through construction support and maintenance, and coordinating multidisciplinary teams (design engineers, contractors, client stakeholders) for seamless integration of signal, communications, traction power, and track systems. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, proactive, with a strong background in track design, systems design coordination, cost estimation, and stakeholder management. This role is key to delivering high-profile rail-system upgrades and modernization efforts, enhancing safety, reliability, and performance. The position will also be integral to establishing and maintaining strong client relationships and marketing WSP’s expertise to regional transit agencies and local railroads.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, or closely related discipline.
10+ years of experience in track design.
Professional registration (P.E. License).
Proven ability to deliver railroad and transit design projects in the role of lead designer or specialist.
Demonstrated communications skills, both verbal and written. This includes the ability to present design concepts and principles in verbal and written form to audiences with a wide spectrum of backgrounds, from technical manager to ordinary citizen.
Strong skills in track alignment design and CADD skills in both the MicroStation and AutoCAD platforms.
Extensive experience in the delivery and design of large-scale metro and rail projects.
Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and compliance with WSP’s health, safety, drug/alcohol, and harassment policies.
Strong ability to adapt quickly to change and demonstrate flexibility to meet varying project schedules and business needs.
Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.
Working knowledge of track structure design principles and special trackwork details.

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree in Engineering.
Working knowledge of design requirements for rail systems (e.g. traction power, catenary, signals).
Experience with design and testing of ballast-less track forms.
Experience in construction, maintenance or inspection of track.
Strong experience in managing the review and approval of documents and discipline-specific deliverables, certifications, processes, and plans in a multi-project environment.
Understanding of NYCT MOW
Understanding of NYCT subway operations.

Responsibilities

Act as a leader for all phases of project delivery for track design and installation—from planning and design coordination, facilitating construction and supporting testing, and commissioning.
Provide design leadership and direction for all track design facets of transit and railroad design projects and pursuits.
Coordinate and lead engineering efforts on rail infrastructure projects ranging from planning and design to construction support and maintenance.
Establish and maintain strong, effective relationships with external clients and market WSP services to transit agencies and local railroads.
Sustain the growth of team engineers by assigning appropriate technical tasks and promoting a culture of growing technical excellence.
Supervise and integrate multidisciplinary rail teams.
Provide technical design support for field activities to ensure work is executed safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with contract specifications and agency requirements.
Lead the development of solutions for unforeseen field conditions and coordinate design revisions or contract modifications as necessary.
Support the PMC team to manage and oversee contractor deliverables, cost estimates, and change orders, supporting negotiations, claims resolution, and progress payment reviews.
Prepare detailed reports, presentations, and documentation for internal and client review, ensuring transparent communication and timely issue resolution.
Identify and apply industry best practices, lessons learned, and innovative tools to enhance project efficiency and system performance.
Enforce safety standards and promote a strong safety culture across all project sites.
Encourage knowledge-sharing and continuous improvement across teams to strengthen technical and delivery excellence.
Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Benefits

Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Disability insurance
Life insurance
Retirement savings
Paid sick leave
Paid vacation (or other personal time)
Paid parental leave
Paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.