Track Engineering Design Lead

WSP • Seattle, WA

13d • Hybrid

About The Position

This Opportunity WSP is looking for a Track Engineering Design Lead to join our team in Seattle, WA. This position blends hands-on track design leadership with strategic oversight of the transit and rail engineering discipline, ensuring that all technical deliverables, system integrations, and infrastructure projects meet or exceed industry, regulatory, and company standards. The Track Engineering Design Lead guides project delivery from planning and design through construction support, testing, commissioning, and long‑term maintenance, while also serving as a subject‑matter expert (SME) for transit and rail engineering across the organization. In addition to track design, this role will include serving as owner’s representative to provide design review and oversight of designs performed by others. The role requires deep expertise in track design, multidisciplinary systems coordination (signals, communications, traction power), regulatory compliance, and field inspection. It also plays a critical role in business development, client engagement, and the long‑term growth of the transit and rail engineering practice.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or closely related discipline (or equivalent experience).
• 12+ years of relevant post‑education experience in engineering, with prior transit and rail experience and infrastructure design.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required; WA State required, multi‑state preferred.
• Advanced proficiency with transit and rail engineering principles, practices, processes, design/build delivery, standard of care, and application to permitting and project work.
• Strong working knowledge of FRA, FTA, CPUC, AREMA, and other rail regulatory standards, procedures, codes, compliance practices, and record‑keeping requirements.
• Advanced proficiency in technical computations, engineering calculations, interpreting plans and specifications, and comparing them to applicable regulations.
• Ability to work independently while providing guidance and leadership to mid‑level and senior‑level team members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to interact effectively and tactfully with employees at all organizational levels.
• Strong analytical skills, lateral thinking, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize responsibilities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to elicit cooperation from senior management, clients, regulators, subcontractors, and staff across the organization.
• Advanced proficiency with office automation and discipline‑specific design software (MicroStation, AutoCAD, Civil 3D, OpenRail), predictive models, spreadsheets, and engineering tools.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and compliance with company health, safety, drug/alcohol, and harassment policies.
• Strong ability to adapt to change and demonstrate flexibility to meet business needs.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with light rail transit design and design management preferred.
• Experience with modernization programs, system upgrades, and major capital rail projects.
• Experience coordinating track design with signals, communications, and traction power systems.
• Experience supporting construction, field inspections, and commissioning activities.
• Master’s Degree in Engineering
• PMP Certification

Responsibilities

• Lead all phases of track design and installation for transit and railroad projects, ensuring alignment with design intent, contract requirements, and operational standards.
• Provide technical direction for track geometry, alignment, special trackwork, systems integration, and constructability.
• Coordinate and supervise multidisciplinary engineering teams to ensure seamless integration of track, signal, communications, and traction power systems.
• Provide technical design support for field activities, ensuring work is executed safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with agency requirements.
• Lead development of solutions for unforeseen field conditions and coordinate design revisions or contract modifications as necessary.
• Support PMC teams in reviewing contractor deliverables, cost estimates, change orders, claims, and progress payments.
• Prepare detailed reports, presentations, and documentation for internal and client review.
• Perform engineering review of permit applications, design plans, specifications, standby plans, contracts, and construction inspections to ensure compliance with FRA, FTA, CPUC, AREMA, and other applicable standards.
• Lead large, complex transit and rail engineering projects, overseeing budgets, schedules, subcontractors, and performance metrics.
• Ensure discipline certifications, accreditations, and technical capabilities are continuously developed and maintained.
• Conduct needs analyses and client value assessments to align engineering functions with business strategy and identify skill gaps or operational risks.
• Schedule and lead discipline meetings, promoting innovation, technical excellence, and knowledge sharing.
• Provide strategic oversight of design development and implementation, as well as support to teams delivering major programs.
• Guide engineering efforts from planning and design through construction support and maintenance.
• Monitor external events, risk contingencies, hours, expenses, and contractual obligations to ensure successful project execution.
• Lead technical aspects of contract negotiations, presentations, and client meetings.
• Develop project scopes, timelines, pricing, and budgetary metrics in compliance with all applicable codes and regulations.
• Interpret and summarize engineering data, reports, and regulatory documents to support sound technical conclusions.
• Provide high‑level strategic advice to clients and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Establish and maintain strong client relationships with transit agencies, railroads, and regulatory bodies.
• Actively market the organization’s transit and rail engineering capabilities and support pursuit strategies for major infrastructure opportunities.
• Develop new business opportunities and cross‑sell additional services across planning, design, strategic consulting, and program/construction management.
• Meet with public and private entities to discuss engineering challenges, program needs, and project strategies.
• Mentor and guide engineering staff, promoting a culture of technical excellence and professional development.
• Provide performance leadership to assigned staff and project teams.
• Support long‑term strategy, growth, and pipeline development for the transit and rail engineering practice.
• Collaborate across disciplines to deliver “trusted advisor” service and future‑ready solutions.
• Uphold ethical decision‑making, safety standards, and compliance with company policies.

Benefits

• Coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior