Job SummaryThe Principal Project Manager independently leads the planning, execution, and delivery of highly complex, large-scale initiatives with significant cost, schedule, and stakeholder impact. This role is accountable for end-to-end project performance, including scope, cost, risk, and schedule coordination, and serves as the primary point of integration across internal teams, external partners, and governing bodies. The position operates with broad autonomy, applies advanced project management judgment, and contributes to organizational delivery capability through guidance, influence, and expertise rather than formal supervisory authority.
Essential Functions- Plan, execute, and deliver complex, high-risk initiatives from initiation through closeout, ensuring alignment with approved objectives, budgets, schedules, and governance requirements.
- Develop, maintain, and integrate detailed project plans, schedules, cost forecasts, and performance metrics; monitor progress and implement corrective actions as required.
- Serve as the primary point of coordination with internal teams, external partners, and oversight entities, facilitating decision-making and maintaining alignment across diverse stakeholders.
- Identify, assess, and manage project risks, issues, and changes, ensuring timely resolution, escalation, and transparent communication to stakeholders.
- Coordinate multiple project teams, vendors and assets to ensure timely and cost-effective sequencing and execution of critical path milestones across several inter-dependent projects.
- Apply advanced project management standards, tools, and best practices; provide guidance and informal mentorship to less-experienced project personnel and matrixed contributors
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities- Understanding of principles of project management, program development, implementation and administration for improvement and maintenance projects
- Knowledge of theories, principles, and practices of passenger railroad systems design, construction, operations, maintenance, safety, accident prevention, and emergency response
- Familiarity with applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations governing the design, engineering, and construction of passenger railroad capital improvement and maintenance projects
- Awareness of principles and practices of capital and operating budgets preparation and administration as well as contract negotiation and administration
- Understanding of Federal Railroad Administration and NEC stakeholders, including state and local governments, commuter railroads and freights
- Ability to motivate and support people across the organization to work collectively as a cohesive whole to produce superior results; identify talented managers and advocate for their future development
- Strong interpersonal communication skills in verbal and written form, including ability to conduct meetings and interviews, concisely articulate complex issues, resolve conflict, and inform others across all levels of the organization
- Aptitude to understand, interpret, and apply applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, budgets, contracts, and labor/management agreements
- Ability to exercise judgment and creativity in making decisions
- Proficient in Microsoft Project, Visio and Office, including intermediate level capabilities in the use of Excel, Power Point, and Word
Minimum Qualifications- Bachelor's Degree required OR equivalent combination of training, education and relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
- 7 years of prior relevant experience required in infrastructure project management with emphasis on delivering projects in excess of $50 million.
Preferred Qualifications- 9+ years of relevant experience in infrastructure project management with emphasis on delivering projects in excess of $50 million
- Graduate degree
- Transportation industry background
- Project Management Professional PMP certification
- Professional Engineer's License (PE) or Licensed Architect
- Certified Construction Management (CCM)
- Experience working with government agencies and organizations
- Demonstrated experience with alternative delivery construction contracts (e.g. Design-Build, Construction Manager at Risk, Progressive Design Build, Public Private Partnership, Alliance)
Environmental Conditions/Physical Demands- Travel Requirements: Up to 25%
- Office environment and project field visits as required
- This position will work 4 days in the office with 1 day remote.
- Position will include work outside of normal business hours as required.
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The salary/hourly range is $113,200.00 - $146,664.00. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, etc. Depending on an employee's assigned worksite or location, Amtrak may consider a geo-pay differential to be applied to the employee's base salary. Amtrak may offer additional incentive and pay programs to recognize and reward our employees, including a short-term incentive bonus based upon factors such as individual and company performance that is commensurate with the level of the position.
Health and WellbeingFinancial and RetirementWork and Family Life SupportHealth, Dental, and Vision Insurance401K with Employer MatchGenerous Paid Time Off Wellness ProgramsRailroad Retirement BenefitsPaid Caregiving Days and Backup CareHealth Savings AccountPublic Service Student Loan ForgivenessFertility and Family Building BenefitsNo-cost Personal Health AdvocateStudent Loan AssistanceAdoption and Surrogacy AssistanceMedical Plan Opt-out CreditTuition and Education ReimbursementPaid Family Leave Life InsuranceRail Pass Privileges Short- and Long-term Disability InsuranceEmployee Assistance Program No-cost Financial Advisor SessionsCommuter and Flexible Spending Accounts
Learn more about our benefits offerings here.
Requisition ID:167156
Work Arrangement:06-Onsite 4/5 Days Click here for more information about work arrangements at Amtrak.
Relocation Offered:No
Travel Requirements:Up to 25%
You power our progress through your performance. 
