Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc

Transit and Rail Team Lead

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc$140K — $195K *
Transportation
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • B.S. in Civil Engineering, Railway Engineering, or related field; M.S. preferred.
  • 11+ years of experience in engineering, construction, or transit and rail industry.
  • Proven experience delivering transit or rail capital programs, including new construction and rehabilitation projects.
  • Familiarity with construction submittals, RFIs, QA/QC programs, and project controls for rail infrastructure projects.
  • Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
  • Experience with PMIS platforms such as e-Builder or SharePoint.
  • Strong technical writing, communication, and stakeholder coordination skills.
  • Knowledge of industry standards including AREMA, FRA, FTA, and APTA guidelines.

Responsibilities

  • Provide technical leadership and design oversight for rail and transit projects.
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to ensure seamless integration.
  • Plan and coordinate construction sequencing and site access in partnership with operations teams.
  • Implement quality assurance and quality control programs for project deliverables.
  • Review and manage contractor submissions and construction documentation.
  • Support project controls, including schedule coordination and risk management.
  • Provide technical direction to contractors and project teams, resolving field issues.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance.
  • 401(k) plan participation.
  • Tuition reimbursement opportunities.
  • Annual incentive compensation bonuses and merit-based salary increases.
  • Wellness programs and recognition initiatives.
Full Job Description
Overview

ABOUT THE POSITION

Engineering Team Lead - Transit & Rail | Hybrid | Philadelphia, PA or Lansdale, PA

VHB is seeking an Engineering Technical Lead to join our Transit & Rail practice. In this role, you will serve as the senior technical lead for engineering design projects, guiding a team of engineers while delivering complex transit and rail programs. You will lead engineering design across a diverse portfolio of projects including MSA/GEC/TO contracts, major design-build pursuits, ADA improvement packages, and/or corridor infrastructure improvements. This role offers the opportunity to work on high-profile passenger transit and rail systems while helping expand VHB's growing Transit & Rail presence.

Beyond technical leadership, this position plays a key role in mentoring junior engineers, supporting project pursuits, and helping to grow the future of VHB's transit and rail practice. It's an ideal opportunity for a senior engineer who enjoys balancing technical design leadership, team development, and strategic growth within a collaborative and people-focused environment.

Responsibilities
  • Provide technical leadership and design oversight for design, construction, rehabilitation, and capital improvement projects across rail and transit programs.
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams and manage critical interface points between disciplines (structures, bridges, civil, environmental, utilities, track, building systems, signals, communications, and traction power) to ensure seamless integration.
  • Plan and coordinate construction sequencing, work breakdown structures (WBS), construction phasing, site access, and outage windows in partnership with transit and rail operations teams.
  • Implement quality assurance and quality control programs, including inspection and test plans (ITPs), acceptance testing, and 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.
  • Maintain an active professional engineering license in the required state(s) of practice. Sign and seal engineering plans, specifications, reports, and related documents within their licensed discipline. 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.

Minimum Qualifications
  • B.S. in Civil Engineering, Railway Engineering, or related field (M.S. preferred).
  • 11+ years of experience in engineering, construction, or transit and rail industry.
  • Proven experience delivering transit or rail capital programs, including new construction and rehabilitation projects.
  • Familiarity with construction submittals, RFIs, QA/QC programs, and project controls for rail infrastructure projects.
  • 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, FTA, and APTA guidelines.
  • Experience working with Amtrak, SEPTA, DRPA, PATCO, NJ Transit, and/or NY MTA preferred


The full-time annual base salary range for this position is $140,000 to $195,000 if located in Pennsylvania. The base salary offered will be determined based on job-related factors, including geographic location, internal equity, experience, credentials, skills, education, work schedule, and other factors permitted by law. The posted salary range reflects base pay only. Additional compensation and benefits available to eligible employees are outlined in our Total Rewards Program.

Annual base salary is one component of VHB's Total Rewards package. In addition to base pay, eligible employees may receive annual incentive compensation bonuses, spot bonuses, and merit-based salary increases, providing opportunities to increase earnings beyond base pay. VHB also offers a differentiating work experience, including a comprehensive benefits package that includes eligibility to participate in the VHB 401(k) plan, medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, wellness programs, tuition reimbursement, and recognition programs.

Details on VHB's benefits package can be found here: Benefits Checklist

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About Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB) is a multidisciplinary engineering firm headquartered in Watertown, Massachusetts. The company was founded in 1979 and provides a wide range of services, including transportation planning and design, environmental planning and permitting, land development, and surveying. VHB has completed projects in a variety of industries, including transportation, real estate, and energy. The company is known for its expertise in sustainable design and has been recognized for its efforts in this area. VHB is a privately held company and has offices throughout the United States.
Learn more about Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc
Size
1,200 employees
Industry

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