AECOM is seeking a Sr Engineering Manager - Tracks to be based remotely in Seattle, WA.
SUMMARY:
This role delivers end-to-end engineering oversight across design, construction, operations, and lifecycle management, establishing standards, ensuring system integration and safety compliance, managing technical risk, and optimizing track performance and asset strategies. The Director will lead multidisciplinary teams and collaborate closely with designers, contractors, operators, and regulators to ensure the successful delivery of safe, reliable, and high-performance high-speed rail track infrastructure.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Technical Leadership:
- Provide expert leadership on all permanent way (track) matters for high-speed rail infrastructure, including slab track and ballasted track systems
- Develop and implement track asset management strategies aligned with high-speed operational requirements and lifecycle cost optimization
- Establish engineering standards, specifications, and procedures in compliance with international HSR norms (e.g., EN, UIC, ISO, AREMA)
Design & Engineering Oversight:
- Review and approve track design submissions, method statements, and technical calculations from designers and contractors
- Ensure integration of track systems with civil works, structures, electrification (OHE), signaling, and rolling stock interfaces
- Ensure effective system integration and compatibility with operational performance, safety, and maintainability requirements
- Oversee Interface Control Documents (ICDs) and ensure interface risks are identified and managed by delivery partners
- Provide technical guidance on track geometry, alignment tolerances, vibration mitigation, noise control, and track-structure interaction
Construction & Installation Management:
- Oversee track construction and installation activities, including slab track, turnouts, expansion joints, and special trackworks
- Provide engineering assurance during track construction to confirm compliance with approved designs, specifications, and quality requirements
- Review and accept construction methodologies, Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs), and quality documentation submitted by contractors
- Undertake site surveillance, audits, and technical inspections to verify construction quality and adherence to standards
- Review and disposition non-conformances and technical change requests affecting permanent way systems
- Resolve technical issues arising during construction and provide engineering solutions to maintain progress and quality
Maintenance & Asset Management:
- Define maintenance regimes and inspection standards for high-speed track infrastructure
- Oversee predictive, preventive, and corrective maintenance strategies using condition monitoring and data analytics
- Approve maintenance plans, possession strategies, and renewal programs to ensure network availability and safety
Safety & Compliance:
- Ensure all track activities comply with railway safety management systems, statutory regulations, and certification requirements
- Lead hazard identification, risk assessments, and safety assurance activities related to permanent way systems
- Support independent safety assessment (ISA), certification, and regulatory approvals
Performance Monitoring & Optimization:
- Monitor track performance indicators such as geometry quality, ride comfort, availability, and degradation trends
- Investigate track-related incidents or performance issues and implement corrective and preventive actions
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance reliability and reduce lifecycle costs
Contract & Stakeholder Management:
- Manage track-related contracts, consultants, and specialist suppliers
- Liaise with internal offices, construction operations and maintenance, safety, designers, and contractors on track engineering matters
- Support procurement activities by defining technical requirements and evaluating bids
- Provide technical input into procurement strategies, tender documentation, and evaluation of track-related contracts
- Support contract administration through technical assessments of variations, claims, and change proposals
- Act as the primary technical interface between the designers, contractors, operators on permanent way matters
Safety, RAMS & Regulatory Compliance:
- Ensure permanent way systems meet the Safety Management System and RAMS (Reliability, Availability, Maintainability, Safety) requirements
- Support hazard identification, safety assurance, and risk management activities, including engagement with Independent Safety Assessors and regulators
- Provide technical input to safety cases, certification dossiers, and approvals for high-speed track infrastructure
Team Leadership & Development:
- Lead, mentor, and develop a multidisciplinary team of track engineers, inspectors, and maintenance personnel
- Ensure competency management, training, and knowledge transfer within the track organization
- Provide technical leadership and mentoring to track engineers and assurance teams
- Capture lessons learned and ensure knowledge transfer into standards, specifications, and future projects.
- Support development of long-term asset strategies and transition to operations and maintenance
- Foster a culture of safety, technical excellence, and accountability