Senior Project Manager - Rail & Transit Architecture

Michael Baker International•Chicago, IL

2d•$122,000 - $212,000

About The Position

Michael Baker International is seeking an experienced, growth-oriented Senior Project Manager to lead rail and transit architecture pursuits and project delivery in the Chicago market while helping establish and grow a local architecture office. This visible leadership role combines client development, project execution, team building, and office leadership, supported by the company’s national architecture, engineering, and transportation expertise. The role is suited to a credentialed architect and seller-doer who can use established relationships with Chicago-area transit agencies to develop a sustainable pipeline of work. The successful candidate will lead complex, multidisciplinary projects; strengthen relationships with Metra, the Chicago Transit Authority, and other Great Lakes transportation clients; recruit and mentor a local team; and build a collaborative Chicago presence connected to the national practice. The position includes a consistent in-person leadership presence in the Chicago office, approximately three days per week, and regional travel as needed, approximately 20%. The approximate annual compensation range is $122,000 to $212,000; actual compensation depends on factors such as education, qualifications, experience, skillset, and physical work location.

Requirements

Active Illinois Professional Architect license, or ability to obtain Illinois licensure within a mutually agreed period.
Bachelor’s degree in architecture from an accredited program.
At least 10 years of progressive experience leading architectural teams and complex, multidisciplinary projects.
Demonstrated experience managing projects for Metra and/or the Chicago Transit Authority.
Proven success developing and winning transportation-focused architecture work in Chicago or the Great Lakes region.
Demonstrated success in project management, client engagement, business development, and pursuit leadership.
Strong financial acumen, including experience managing fees, staffing, project performance, forecasting, and risk.
Working knowledge of BIM, digital delivery, Revit, and emerging AI-enabled design tools.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Bluebeam.
Ability to maintain a consistent in-person leadership presence in the Chicago office and travel regionally as needed, approximately 20%.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in architecture.
Established relationships within the Chicago transit market.
Experience building, mentoring, or growing a local team or office.
PMP certification.
LEED AP credential.

Responsibilities

Manage project scope, schedule, budget, staffing, quality, risk, and client expectations to achieve strong technical and financial performance.
Develop project work plans and mobilize resources across local, regional, and geographically dispersed teams.
Serve as the local architecture leader in Chicago, maintaining an in-person presence of approximately three days per week and building an inclusive, collaborative, and accountable office culture.
Develop and execute a Chicago rail and transit architecture growth plan, including target clients, priority pursuits, teaming strategies, and near- and long-term staffing needs.
Identify, evaluate, and advance opportunities; lead capture planning; shape win strategies; and contribute to proposals, interviews, and negotiations.
Recruit, mentor, and retain architectural talent, establishing a scalable local team supported by national technical and design resources.
Collaborate with operations, market leaders, and technical teams to align Chicago growth, staffing, project execution, and financial performance with broader business goals.
Represent Michael Baker in client meetings, transit-industry organizations, civic and professional networks, and other market-facing activities to elevate the firm’s visibility in Chicago.
Model a seller-doer culture by pairing client leadership and business development with accountable project delivery.
Advance passenger-focused design solutions using BIM, digital delivery, and emerging technologies while meeting operational, accessibility, schedule, and budget requirements in active transit environments.