Transit/Rail Project Manager

Atlas Atlas • Chicago, IL

2d • $150,000 - $230,000

About The Position

At Atlas, we're providing services that enable communities to flourish and thrive, and if youre a Transit Project Manager ready to lead transit and rail projects and programs and committed to doing meaningful work, then this is your moment. Youll participate in client engagement and team leadership as you provide project management oversight ensuring full compliance with Federal, state, and local requirements on landmark transit projects. Join a dynamic, value-driven, client- and community-focused environment where your work creates a lasting positive impact for the people and communities we serve.

Requirements

• A minimum 15 years of experience in transportation planning, engineering, transit operations, or construction with strong focus on transit/rail, working with regional northeastern Illinois transit agencies including Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), Chicago Transportation Authority (CTA), PACE Suburban Bus and METRA Chicago Commuter Rail System.
• A bachelors degree in engineering, planning, or a related field.
• A Professional Engineering registration in the State of Illinois (if applicable).
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
• Experience managing programs, projects, oversight assignments, and task orders.
• Strong understanding of AREMA, FRA, FTA regulations, safety certification, and State Safety Oversight.
• Experience developing operations and maintenance standards, procedures, and training materials.
• Demonstrated leadership and technical capability across the full project life cycle.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with regional management and multidisciplinary teams.
• Commitment to company values and an employee-owned culture.
• Ability to travel 40% of the time. Mostly local travel.
• Onsite residency at a client office if needed.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with or supporting northeastern Illinois transit agencies is highly valued.

Responsibilities

• Project, Program & Task Order Leadership: Lead transit and rail projects, programs, and task orders from planning through design, construction, operations, and maintenance.
• Provide close coordination with the client, subconsultants, prime consultants, contractors, utility companies, agency representatives and additional stakeholders as needed.
• Lead teams of internal staff and subconsultants to complete task orders and other assignments.
• Provide project management oversight ensuring full compliance with Federal, state, and local requirementsincluding codes, ordinances, grants, and agency policies.
• Manage construction, operations, and maintenance activities aligned with AREMA, FRA, and FTA and other client standards and regulations.
• Implement programs, policies, and standards that reduce slow zones and enhance system safety and performance.
• Supportive Role in Market & Client Development Maintain and strengthen client relationships, especially with RTA, CTA, PACE, and METRA, through consistent, high-quality project delivery.
• Develop additional opportunities within existing contracts for new work orders, contract extension and renewals.
• Participate in capture planning, proposal development, task order coordination, and occasional client presentations.
• Provide insight into client needs, operational challenges, and opportunities to enhance service delivery.
• Support Office, Division and Regional leadership in meeting the needs of transit clients across Northeastern Illinois and Atlas national Eastern Region as needed.
• Technical Leadership & Regional Support: Contribute to improvements in technical practices, safety approaches, and project delivery methods.
• Develop maintenance standards, inspection procedures, and training manuals to support a state of good repair.
• Identify long- and short-term strategies for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) programs guiding land use around transit facilities in the Eastern Region.
• Mentor staff and support technical development across project teams.
• Ability to acquire necessary client safety certification
• Report writing and construction documentation
• Conduct Safety and Security Certification and support State Safety Oversight to meet applicable federal and state requirements.
• Oversee multidisciplinary project teams, ensuring strong technical direction, quality management, and risk mitigation.
• Manage project scope, schedule, budget, contract adherence, and task order execution.

Benefits

• Health & Wellness: We offer medical, dental and vision coverage with multiple plan options, including no-cost employee-only medical coverage.
• Time Off & Family Support: We offer vacation time, paid holidays, sick & safety leave (SSL) and paid parental leave
• Retirement: We help employees plan for the future with a 401(k) and company match.
• Insurance: To provide protection and peace of mind, we offer Life, AD&D (Accidental Death & Dismemberment) and Disability insurance.
• Safety Program: We are committed to safety as part of our quality of life core value, and we provide approved PPE at no cost and reimbursement for prescription safety glasses and protective footwear.
• Learning & Development: We provide clear career paths, learning resources and development programs allowing you to see how you can grow and advance within the company. We offer internal certifications on specific skills and support external credentials through tuition reimbursement.
• Belonging: We support Employee Communities (ECs), voluntary, employee-led groups that create connections, belonging and shared purposes.
• Flexibility: May vary by project demands and regional workloads, but we are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to help employees manage their personal and professional responsibilities.

What This Job Offers

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