Rail Quality, Safety & Compliance Project Manager

WSP•South Jordan, UT

About The Position

WSP is seeking a Rail Quality, Safety & Compliance Project Manager to join its Transportation team in Utah. This part-time, variable-hours role is not benefits eligible. The position provides leadership, guidance, and oversight for rail quality management, safety assurance, and regulatory compliance across rail projects and programs. It serves as a subject matter expert, helping ensure project delivery aligns with applicable regulations, industry standards, client requirements, and WSP’s internal quality and risk management processes. The role supports project teams by identifying compliance risks, promoting continuous improvement, and fostering a strong culture of safety and quality throughout project execution. The Project Manager works with project teams, clients, regulatory agencies, and internal stakeholders to oversee quality, safety, compliance, risk management, documentation, audits, inspections, investigations, and corrective actions. The role also provides mentorship and technical guidance, monitors project performance, maintains current knowledge of rail requirements, and supports trusted-advisor services and future-ready solutions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, Transportation, Construction Management, Safety, Quality Management, or a related discipline, or equivalent experience in a technical, engineering, or transportation organization.
15+ years of relevant post-education experience.
Advanced understanding of rail project delivery processes, quality management systems, safety management practices, regulatory compliance requirements, and risk management principles.
Strong working knowledge of QA/QC processes, audit and inspection programs, corrective action management, continuous improvement practices, and compliance monitoring.
Demonstrated ability to establish, implement, and oversee complex quality, safety, and compliance programs across large-scale rail projects and programs.
Strong knowledge of rail industry regulations, client requirements, and corporate governance processes applicable to transportation and infrastructure projects.
Excellent self-leadership and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate with employees, clients, contractors, regulators, and stakeholders at all organizational levels.
Strategic thinking, strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize responsibilities in a dynamic work environment.
Ability to assess risk, identify areas for improvement, and implement practical solutions that enhance quality, safety, and regulatory compliance.
Advanced proficiency in technical writing, document management, reporting systems, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint), and other project, quality, and compliance management tools.
Track record of upholding workplace safety and fostering a culture of quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Ability to adapt quickly to changing regulations, project conditions, client requirements, and business needs.
Ability to work independently in a part-time capacity while managing multiple priorities and stakeholder relationships.
Occasional travel may be required for project audits, site reviews, client meetings, regulatory activities, and project-specific requirements.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Professional certification in Project Management, Quality Management, Safety, or a related field, such as PMP, CAPM, CQE, ISO Lead Auditor, CSP, CRSP, P.Eng., or equivalent.
Experience supporting major rail transit, commuter rail, freight rail, or transportation infrastructure programs.
Experience working with rail regulatory agencies, transportation authorities, or client-specific compliance frameworks.
Experience leading quality assurance, safety, or compliance functions on large, complex transportation or infrastructure projects.
Experience conducting audits, inspections, investigations, and corrective action programs within rail or transportation environments.

Responsibilities

Provide quality management and safety oversight for rail projects, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, standards, and requirements.
Lead and support the development, implementation, and monitoring of project Quality Plans, Safety Plans, audit programs, inspection processes, corrective action programs, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Conduct quality assurance reviews, compliance assessments, audits, and inspections.
Collaborate with project managers, technical leaders, and client representatives to identify quality, safety, and regulatory compliance risks and develop mitigation strategies.
Monitor project quality, safety, and compliance indicators; provide reporting, recommendations, and corrective actions as needed.
Support project teams in maintaining quality records, audit findings, safety reports, risk registers, lessons learned, and compliance records.
Participate in project reviews, stakeholder meetings, and regulatory discussions.
Investigate quality incidents, non-conformances, and safety concerns; identify root causes and facilitate corrective and preventive actions.
Promote best practices and continuous improvement in rail quality management systems, safety programs, and regulatory compliance processes.
Provide mentorship, guidance, and technical support to project teams regarding rail quality standards, safety expectations, and compliance requirements.
Liaise between project teams, clients, regulatory agencies, and internal stakeholders on quality, safety, and compliance matters.
Support project risk management by identifying emerging compliance and safety issues and recommending mitigation measures.
Ensure updates occur to system and process documentation, including Risk Registers, Project Management Plans, Project Quality Plans, Project Safety Plans, audit records, and other compliance documentation, as applicable.
Remain current with evolving rail industry regulations, safety requirements, quality management standards, and best practices.
Collaborate with professionals and leadership across disciplines to provide trusted-advisor services and future-ready solutions.
Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.