Director of Rail/Transit chez Valdeseng

Valdes is seeking an experienced Director of Rail/Transit to lead the development and growth of our new rail and transit services group in Lombard, IL (with hybrid or remote options available). This doer-seller role will focus on leveraging our multidisciplinary engineering capabilities for rail and transit projects, including commuter rail, rapid transit, bus systems, and freight railroads. The ideal candidate will bring 15+ years of rail/transit experience, with a strong emphasis on projects involving METRA, CTA, PACE, and major railroads, and will use established relationships to introduce Valdes to new clients and opportunities. This is a ground-floor leadership position in an emerging practice area, offering the chance to build and scale a team while actively contributing to technical delivery and business development, complementing our highway and aviation groups.



Responsibilities

Drive business development by identifying, pursuing, and securing opportunities with METRA, CTA, PACE, railroads (e.g., Class I freight operators), and related agencies, leveraging personal networks to expand Valdes' presence in the rail/transit sector

Lead strategic planning for rail/transit services, including market analysis, service integration with Valdes' existing civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, and environmental engineering offerings, and alignment with overall transportation group goals

Oversee the full lifecycle of rail/transit projects, from planning and design to construction management, ensuring compliance with FRA, FTA, AREMA, and local regulations

Manage multidisciplinary teams in delivering solutions for track design, signaling systems, stations, maintenance facilities, rolling stock integration, and transit-oriented developments

Serve as a technical expert and hands-on contributor ("doer") in project execution, including design reviews, feasibility studies, and problem-solving for complex infrastructure challenges

Build and mentor a rail/transit team, promoting collaboration across departments to deliver innovative, sustainable solutions for capacity expansion, electrification, and resilience

Cultivate long-term client relationships, acting as the primary liaison with stakeholders to address needs in safety, operations, and funding (e.g., federal grants like FTA Capital Investment Grants)

Collaborate with internal leaders on budgeting, resource allocation, performance metrics, and business planning to drive revenue growth

Stay current on industry trends, such as high-speed rail advancements, positive train control, and sustainable transit practices, to position Valdes as a thought leader

Contribute to proposals, negotiations, and public engagements, including regulatory interactions and industry presentations

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, Transportation Engineering, or a related field

15+ years of progressive experience in rail/transit engineering, planning, or consulting, with direct involvement in projects for METRA, CTA, PACE, and railroads

Proven track record as a doer-seller, balancing technical project delivery with successful business development and client relationship management

Strong knowledge of rail/transit standards (e.g., FRA, FTA, AREMA, MUTCD) and federal funding processes

Excellent leadership, communication, and negotiation skills, with the ability to motivate teams and influence stakeholders.

Willingness to travel for client meetings, site visits, and industry events (valid driver's license required)

Master's degree in engineering, Transportation Planning, or a related discipline

Professional Engineer (PE) license, preferably in Illinois or multiple states

Experience with multidisciplinary firms like Crawford, Murphy & Tilly or Mead & Hunt, focusing on rail/transit infrastructure, innovative designs, and stakeholder collaboration

Familiarity with software tools such as Bentley Rail Track, AutoCAD Civil 3D, or simulation software for transit modeling

Prior leadership in growing a rail/transit practice, including team development and revenue generation

Active involvement in industry organizations like APTA, AREMA, or ASCE

Must possess exceptional interpersonal and organizational skills

Must be able to work in the US without sponsorship now or in the future

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