Track Engineering Lead

VHB•New York, NY

13d•$150,000 - $220,000•Hybrid

About The Position

VHB is seeking an experienced Track Engineering Technical Lead to join our New York Transit & Rail practice. In this role, you will serve as the senior technical lead for track design projects, guiding a small team of engineers while delivering complex rail programs for clients such as MTA and Amtrak. You will lead track design across a diverse portfolio of projects including the Resorts World MTA program, major design-build pursuits, ADA improvement packages, and corridor infrastructure improvements. This role offers the opportunity to work on high-profile passenger rail systems while helping expand VHB’s growing Transit & Rail presence in the New York region. Beyond technical leadership, this position plays a key role in mentoring junior engineers, supporting project pursuits, and helping shape the future of VHB’s rail practice in New York. It’s an ideal opportunity for a senior track engineer who enjoys balancing technical design leadership, team development, and strategic growth within a collaborative and people-focused environment.

Requirements

B.S. in Civil Engineering, Railway Engineering, or related field (M.S. preferred).
11+ years of experience in track engineering, rail construction, or permanent way infrastructure.
Proven experience delivering rail or transit capital programs, including new construction and rehabilitation projects.
Experience managing special trackwork installations and mainline track geometry in active rail environments.
Familiarity with construction submittals, RFIs, QA/QC programs, and project controls for rail infrastructure projects.
Understanding of rail systems integration, particularly coordination with signaling and train control systems.
Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
Experience with PMIS platforms such as e-Builder, SharePoint, or similar systems.
Strong technical writing, communication, and stakeholder coordination skills.
Knowledge of industry standards including AREMA, FRA, IEEE, and FTA guidelines.

Responsibilities

Provide technical leadership and design oversight for trackwork construction, rehabilitation, and capital improvement projects across rail and transit programs.
Plan and coordinate construction sequencing, work breakdown structures (WBS), track access, possession plans, and outage windows in partnership with rail operations teams.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams (signals, communications, traction power, civil, structures, and utilities) to ensure seamless integration of track systems.
Manage critical interface points including track geometry verification, bonding and grounding requirements, and signaling or train control cutovers.
Implement quality assurance and quality control programs, including inspection and test plans (ITPs), geometry acceptance testing, ultrasonic rail testing, and weld qualification oversight.
Review and manage contractor submittals, RFIs, material approvals, nonconformance reports, and construction documentation.
Support project controls and delivery, including schedule coordination, cost tracking, risk management, change management, and progress reporting.
Provide technical direction to contractors, inspectors, and project teams, resolving field issues and supporting claims resolution as needed.
Lead testing and commissioning activities, including track geometry acceptance, clearance checks, and integration with signal and train control systems.
Represent VHB in meetings with clients, contractors, regulatory agencies, and project stakeholders, presenting technical recommendations and project updates.
Stay current with emerging track design practices, materials, and technologies to enhance project delivery and performance.