About this opportunity
HDR lists this Senior Rail Engineer opportunity in raleigh, North Carolina. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
Senior Rail Engineer
At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world? Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. We believe transportation is more than movement, it's the foundation of connected, thriving communities. As part of HDR's Transportation Business Group, you'll help shape the systems that move people and goods safely, efficiently, and sustainably. Whether you're modernizing aging infrastructure or pioneering next-generation transportation solutions, your contributions will help define the future of mobility.
HDR is looking for a Senior Rail Engineer to join our Transportation Business Group in either our Charlotte or Raleigh office. In the role of Senior Rail Engineer, we'll count on you to:
Take responsibility for all aspects of client and design-team management of commuter, shortline, freight, transit and class-one rail projects.
Serve as Discipline or Task Lead for railroad or civil engineering design projects, and support other office, the Freight Rail Market Sector, and other market sectors as needed.
Manage scope, budget, and schedule.
Coordinate planning and environmental processes, manage the assembly of plans, specifications, construction estimate packages.
Serve as a technical expert with recognized authority in an area of specialization that resolves problems of greater scope and complexity while planning and developing projects or designing activities that have significant impact on major company programs.
Work across industries with rail, industrial, terminal, utility, agency, DOT, port, transit, and other industry clients.
Provide leadership across technical disciplines.
Lead and/or perform detailed QC reviews of projects.
Be able to plan, organize and supervise work of medium to large staff of professionals and technicians.
Mentor younger staff and support technical development.
Supervise junior staff performance of engineering tasks.
Serve as Project Manager on larger projects as needed; project management is not sole focus of position.
Support Project Managers by leading or participating in marketing and contracting activities.
Support Project Managers by leading or participating in client and stakeholder visits, site visits, field assessments, and construction inspections as needed.
Attend industry events and represent HDR as needed.
Serve as a high-level point of contact between the client and HDR.
Perform other duties as needed.
Preferred Qualifications:
Ability to become licensed as a P.E. in additional jurisdictions through the NCEES or similar.
Experience working with AREMA's Manual for Railway Engineering (MRE) and other railroad design guidelines, specifications, and design criteria.
Proven, hands-on experience in all aspects of rail and/or civil design projects.
Demonstrated ability to lead projects through design and production through coordination with other disciplines and production staff.
Project Management experience managing projects for rail, industrial or transit clients.
Demonstrated client development or client management experience, local candidates are preferred.
Construction inspection or construction management experience is a plus.
Experience in technical writing, communicating, and presenting to clients and the public is desirable.
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree
10 years experience in railway engineering and managing complex multidisciplinary railway projects
Requires professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered. Example: Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license.
Proficient with MicroStation, OpenRail Designer/OpenRoads Designer, and/or AutoCAD and Civil3D
Skilled in technical writing, communicating and presenting to clients and the public
Demonstrated ability to lead a team on railway projects
Computer literate with MS Office (Word, Excel, Project)
An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must
Primary Location: United States-North Carolina-Charlotte
Other Locations: United States-North Carolina-Raleigh
Industry: Freight Rail
Schedule: Full-time
Employee Status: Regular BusinessClass: Railway Design
Job Posting: Apr 2, 2026
Worksite address
raleigh, NC, 27601, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.