Sr. Project Manager (CBTC & Passenger Rail Systems)

About the Position

We are seeking an experienced and successful Sr. Project Manager for large, complex passenger transit projects ($100M-$5B). The successful candidate will utilize their project management skills and technical expertise in rail transit, including Communications Based Train Control (CBTC), to oversee and lead projects to successful conclusion while adhering to holistic, ISO-based practices. They will be responsible for facilitating the planning and scheduling of projects and programs, ensuring all components of technology systems are supported and represented, and ensuring all inputs and outputs are accounted for and aligned between the subsystems. 

This is a long term, full-time, on-site position located in Washington DC.

Responsibilities

• Planning, scheduling, and managing projects, ensuring that they are completed on time and within budget. Create detailed project plans, set milestones, and allocate resources effectively.
• Assembling and leading project teams, often consisting of individuals with diverse technical backgrounds. Facilitating collaboration between team members, stakeholders, and other departments to ensure smooth project progress.
• Scheduling and facilitating meetings with stakeholders to manage their expectations, provide updates, and ensure that the project aligns with their goals and objectives.
• Identifying and resolving technical challenges that arise during the project. Critical decision-making regarding technology choices and project direction.
• Monitoring the performance of the project, tracking progress against goals, and reporting on the status to stakeholders. This includes conducting performance tuning, balancing, and improvement tasks.
• Providing process improvement recommendations based on best practices and industry standards. Optimizing project management processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Coordinating and facilitating proper risk management activities including risk identification, quantification and mitigations for both technical and non-technical aspects of the projects.  
• Ensuring technical management plans are developed and in place including Engineering Management Plans, Migrations Plans, and Testing Plans.  
• Ensuring that adequate funds are available in the appropriate phases and time frames to advance the delivery of the projects as scheduled. 
• Establishing and monitoring budgets based on rigorous estimating processes.  
• Following and implementing established change management processes. 
• Capturing, monitoring, and reporting costs incurred against budgeted values within the Program Management Controls System.  
• Providing timely information enabling proactive informed decision making by management.  
• Escalating cost/schedule variances and change management issues. 

Skills and Attributes

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills (e.g., tact, diplomacy, influence, etc.), with the ability to effectively collaborate and interact with clients, team members, and stakeholders. 
• Exceptional organizational skills and supreme attention to detail. 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to think critically and make sound decisions under pressure. 
• Demonstrated commitment to maintaining a safe work environment for all project participants. 
• Ability to adapt to changing project conditions, requirements, and priorities. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.  
• 8+ years’ experience in program/project management roles focusing on systems/technologies in transit industry. 
• Experience with large complex integrated system delivery projects/programs in the transit industry.  
• Experience leading integrated teams of various subject matter expertise brought together to deliver multifaceted projects.  
• Deep understanding of the technologies and architecture involved in these types of systems. This includes knowledge of hardware and software installation, upgrades, site maintenance, and development of the systems used in the transit industry.