Wilson & Company, Inc Engineers & Architects

Associate Vice President, Rail Program Lead

Transportation
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a closely related field; advanced degree preferred.
  • Professional Engineer license required.
  • 15+ years of experience in rail, civil infrastructure, or related markets.
  • 5+ years of experience in leadership roles, managing programs or client accounts.
  • Proven business development skills, including proposal preparation and client negotiations.

Responsibilities

  • Lead rail and industrial infrastructure programs from planning to construction closeout.
  • Act as a trusted advisor, understanding client operational needs and safety requirements.
  • Develop growth strategies for the rail and industrial practice, focusing on sales and market positioning.
  • Mentor project managers and technical professionals, fostering team development.
  • Collaborate with client account managers to enhance relationships and identify new opportunities.
  • Promote safety, quality management, and project delivery effectiveness.
  • Represent the company at professional events and strategic market initiatives.

Benefits

  • Access to a culture of collaboration and quality service.
  • Opportunities for staff development and mentorship.
  • Involvement in industry organizations and conferences.
  • Focus on high-quality solutions for a diverse client base.
Full Job Description
Wilson & Company is seeking an accomplished Rail Program Lead to provide strategic leadership, technical direction, client stewardship, and business growth for our rail and industrial infrastructure practice. This senior role is ideal for a proven rail professional who can lead complex programs, mentor multidisciplinary teams, strengthen client relationships, and deliver high-quality solutions for railroad, industrial, public agency, and private-sector clients.

In this role, you will represent Wilson & Company in the marketplace while collaborating across practice, sector, client account, project management, and technical teams. The successful candidate will balance program delivery, technical excellence, financial performance, staff development, and market growth while advancing a culture of collaboration, quality, safety, and client service.

Key responsibilities include:
  • Lead major rail and industrial infrastructure programs from planning and design through construction support and closeout.
  • Serve as a trusted advisor to railroad, industrial, public agency, and private-sector clients by understanding their operational needs, safety requirements, capital plans, and business priorities.
  • Develop and execute growth strategies for the rail and industrial practice, including sales, bookings, backlog development, pursuit strategy, proposal leadership, and market positioning.
  • Build, mentor, and empower high-performing project managers, technical professionals, and emerging leaders.
  • Partner with client account managers and sector leaders to strengthen client relationships and expand opportunities across Wilson & Company's full range of services.
  • Promote Wilson & Company's safety, quality management, risk management, and project delivery processes.
  • Represent Wilson & Company in professional organizations, industry conferences, client meetings, and strategic market initiatives.


Preferred Skills

The ideal candidate will bring a strong combination of rail technical expertise, program leadership, business development capability, financial acumen, and people leadership. Desired skills and competencies include:
  • Deep familiarity with railroad requirements, standards, procedures, and stakeholder coordination practices.
  • Strong understanding of rail civil design, track infrastructure, drainage, site development, grade crossings, utility coordination, MEP, public projects, and construction support.
  • Proven ability to build trusted client relationships, develop new work, lead pursuits, support proposal strategy, and grow a profitable practice.
  • Ability to mentor project managers, technical staff, and emerging leaders while supporting recruitment, retention, and succession planning.


Required Experience

The ideal candidate will bring progressive experience in rail, industrial infrastructure, transportation, civil engineering, program management, and/or practice leadership.
  • Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a closely related engineering field required; advanced degree preferred.
  • Professional Engineer license required.
  • 15+ years of progressive experience in rail, civil infrastructure, industrial development, transportation, or related markets.
  • 5+ years leading programs, project teams, practice areas, business units, or major client accounts.
  • Experience preparing proposals, leading interviews, negotiating scopes, developing teams, and growing a sustainable book of business.


Please note that Wilson & Company is not currently sponsoring applicants for work visas.

Annual Salary Range: $175,000-$225,000 (Depending on Experience)

About Wilson & Company, Inc Engineers & Architects

Wilson & Company, Inc Engineers & Architects is a multidisciplinary engineering and architecture firm that provides planning, design, and construction management services. The company offers services in the areas of aviation, bridges, construction services, environmental, facilities, geospatial, planning, rail and transit, roads and highways, surveying, water resources, and water/wastewater. Wilson & Company, Inc Engineers & Architects serves clients in the United States and internationally. The company was founded in 1932 and is headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Learn more about Wilson & Company, Inc Engineers & Architects
Size
1,000 employees
Industry
Net Income
$5 million
5 Year Trend
-5%
Revenue
$100 million

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