Freight Rail Deputy Project Manager

Company Description

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

AECOM is seeking a Freight Rail Project Manager to join our Class I Railroad Team. supporting a large and established Public Improvements contract with more than 400 active tasks. This role is ideal for a motivated project professional who enjoys managing complexity, building strong client relationships, and working at the intersection of public transportation projects and freight rail operations. This role offers a hybrid work environment and can be based out Chicago, IL, Indianapolis, IN, Roanoke, VA, Columbus, OH, Oak Ridge, TN or St. Louis, MO.

In this position, you will partner closely with an experienced Project Manager, a strong internal team of engineers and administrative staff, and public-sector stakeholders to support design review and construction monitoring for third-party projects impacting railroad infrastructure. You’ll play a key role in coordinating with DOTs, designers, contractors, and railroad personnel—ensuring compliance, mitigating impacts, and keeping tasks moving efficiently from design through construction.

This role offers meaningful responsibility today, with a clear path to expanded project management leadership as you grow within AECOM’s nationally recognized rail program.

The responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to:

• Build relationships and communicate directly with client public project engineers.
• Coordinate with project sponsors (DOTs), designers, and contractors to address railroad-related concerns.
• Oversee tasks during preliminary design, including identifying railroad impacts, gathering client input, and communicating concerns to stakeholders.
• Guide tasks through construction by ensuring contractor compliance with railroad requirements, reviewing submissions, and mitigating impacts.
• Collaborate with local AECOM offices to engage support staff for field inspections and design reviews.
• Manage budgets and schedules for individual tasks.
• Assist the project manager with invoicing, data management, and client requests.
• Handle multiple tasks and large volumes of input data efficiently.
• Drive and implement process improvements.
• Communicate effectively, both written and verbally, across offices and states.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Engineering design, Construction Inspection, or Project Management  + 4 years of related experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education 
• Valid US Driver’s License required to visit project sites, clients, and other AECOM offices.  
• As a condition of employment, selected candidate must pass a Motor Vehicle Records review
• Willing to travel out of state for business development (4-6 times per year)
• Open to project site travel as needed

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree with a focus on Structural Engineering
• Previous project management experience
• 6 years’ experience in the freight rail industry with Public Improvement Projects is preferred.
• Detail-oriented with past experience in review of project plans
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, good time management skills, a strong work ethic, and a willing desire to learn

Additional Information

• Sponsorship is not available for this position
• Relocation is not available for this position  

About AECOM 

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks,