Freight Rail Deputy Project Manager

AECOM • Chicago, IL

1d • $100,000 - $145,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

AECOM is seeking a Freight Rail Project Manager to join our Class I Railroad Team in Chicago, IL, supporting a large and established Public Improvements contract with more than 400 active tasks. This role is ideal for a motivated project professional who enjoys managing complexity, building strong client relationships, and working at the intersection of public transportation projects and freight rail operations. In this position, you will partner closely with an experienced Project Manager, a strong internal team of engineers and administrative staff, and public-sector stakeholders to support design review and construction monitoring for third-party projects impacting railroad infrastructure. You’ll play a key role in coordinating with DOTs, designers, contractors, and railroad personnel—ensuring compliance, mitigating impacts, and keeping tasks moving efficiently from design through construction. This role offers meaningful responsibility today, with a clear path to expanded project management leadership as you grow within AECOM’s nationally recognized rail program.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Engineering design, Construction Inspection, or Project Management + 4 years of related experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education
• Valid US Driver’s License required to visit project sites, clients, and other AECOM offices.
• As a condition of employment, selected candidate must pass a Motor Vehicle Records review
• Willing to travel out of state for business development (4-6 times per year)
• Open to project site travel as needed

Nice To Haves

• Degree with a focus on Structural Engineering
• Previous project management experience
• 6 years’ experience in the freight rail industry with Public Improvement Projects is preferred.
• Detail-oriented with past experience in review of project plans
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, good time management skills, a strong work ethic, and a willing desire to learn

Responsibilities

• Build relationships and communicate directly with client public project engineers.
• Coordinate with project sponsors (DOTs), designers, and contractors to address railroad-related concerns.
• Oversee tasks during preliminary design, including identifying railroad impacts, gathering client input, and communicating concerns to stakeholders.
• Guide tasks through construction by ensuring contractor compliance with railroad requirements, reviewing submissions, and mitigating impacts.
• Collaborate with local AECOM offices to engage support staff for field inspections and design reviews.
• Manage budgets and schedules for individual tasks.
• Assist the project manager with invoicing, data management, and client requests.
• Handle multiple tasks and large volumes of input data efficiently.
• Drive and implement process improvements.
• Communicate effectively, both written and verbally, across offices and states.

Benefits

• AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees