Principal Contract Manager

Location:

Oakland, California, United States

Job ID:

R0121686

Date Posted:

2026-04-03

Company Name:

HITACHI RAIL STS USA, INC.

Profession (Job Category):

Legal, Compliance & Audit

Job Schedule: 

Full time

Remote:

No

About Us

A career at Hitachi Rail will help create a legacy. With operations in every corner of the world, our work goes to the cutting-edge of digital transformation and technology. From the multi-cultural strength of our global organisation to the sustainable and innovative ways we work to bring people together, there’s something for everyone to get stuck into. And that’s where you come in.

Job Description:

Hitachi Rail is looking for an enthusiastic, self-motivated Principal Contract Manager who thrives in a fast-paced environment. This position is based in Oakland, California.

The successful candidate will manage and drive the contract and commercial management aspects of all the details below effectively.

The candidate will be responsible for:

• The successful candidate will manage and drive the contract and commercial management aspects of all the details below effectively.

The candidate will be responsible for:

• Ensure the identification of opportunities to minimize contract risk and plan commercial risk mitigation strategies.
• Ensure the provision to BU Regions of the needed information related to the following areas:
  • Definition of Contract Management processes, procedures, guidelines, forms and templates;
  • Provide commercial assessment of terms and conditions, risks, and assumptions during Bid Phase;
  • Monitor, support, and report on all customer, JV/Partner, and sub-contractor contract-related commercial impacts and risks, to or from Hitachi (For example - placing customer on notice for delays/impacts, contract changes/credits, or defending against assertions/claims.);
  • Develop, implement and ensure compliance of appropriate strategic commercial approach, based on contract type (I.e. FFP, T&M, etc.);
  • Develop and implement contract management infrastructure. (I.e. maintenance of contractual records and documentation, contract correspondence, contractual changes, status reports, tools, etc.);
  • Monitor schedule impacts to baseline schedule, in conjunction with Project Planner;
  • Monitor project contracts to ensure compliance until completion;
  • Claims preparation support and disputes handling in accordance with the contract provisions;
  • Support Project Manager with proper negotiation and management of variation orders in order to maximize returns;

Proper implementation of contractual aspects related to Key shared accountabilities

• Support BU in Client business conditions monitoring, by recommending adjustments to commercial strategies and targets contract close-out, extension or renewal.
• Commercial and contractual management of subcontractors after subcontract award.  Serve as the point of contact for subcontractors on contractual matters. Act as contractual “middleman” between company employees and contractors, ensuring timely review and approval / reconciliation of variations and claims.
• Maintain contractual records and documentations and ensuring procedures are in place for control of all contract correspondence, contractual changes, status reports and other documents for all assigned projects. Conduct periodic audits/reviews of same.
• Drafting and/or reviewing key project correspondence with regard to commercial content.
• Develop and implement procedures for contract management and administration in compliance with company policy. As appropriate, contribute to or influence company policies.
• Identify and manage project commercial and contracting risks and coordinate mitigation measures and contractual insurance requirements.
• Prepare contract/commercial risk assessments and deliver contract briefings to project teams as required.
• Handle on-going issue and change management to maximize early identification and settlement and minimize claims and disputes.
• Work with Supply Chain to monitor transaction compliance (milestones, deliverable, invoicing etc.)
• Oversee 3rd party Service Level Agreement Compliance
• Management of contractual claims for time and money, both Incoming and Outgoing with both Customers and Subcontractors.
• Ensure schedule reporting content matches contractual requirements and supports claimed contractual entitlements.
• Provide on-demand contractual clarifications / position statements to project team members as required

Required Skills & Experience:

• Tertiary qualifications in engineering discipline such as Electrical, Mechanical or Civil; or
• Tertiary qualification in Construction Management; or
• Tertiary qualification in Quantity Surveying, preferably RICS qualified

Desired Skills & Experience:

• Post graduate qualifications in construction law, dispute resolution or contracts management are highly desirable
• Minimum 15-years' experience in the railway/infrastructure/construction industry of which at least 8-years was in senior contract & commercial roles in complex technical or engineering-based organization
• Minimum 5 years' experience of managing medium to large-scale design/build or EPC projects

Education:
•    Relevant university degree or Equivalent Technical Background.

Languages:

English fluency

The salary range for this position is $129,200 to $193,700 per year.  Final pay is determined by the candidate’s experience, skillset and ability level, internal equity and location.

Benefits:

Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE)-Females/Minorities/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

If you need a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job at Hitachi, please send the nature of request and contact information to hrunitedstates@hitachirail.com.

Queries other than accommodation requests will not be responded to.

Thank you for your interest in Hitachi Rail. If your application is of interest, we will be in contact. Please do not hesitate to discover more about us and our latest jobs at  https://www.hitachirail.com/careers.

At Hitachi Rail, there is a place for everyone. We welcome and value differences in background, age, gender, sexuality, family status, disability, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, and world view. It is our commitment to create an inclusive environment - we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

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