Principal Project Manager

At Mott MacDonald, we trust our brilliant people to do brilliant things in engineering, management, and development services, supporting multisector project work in over 150 countries. As one of the largest employee-owned companies in the world, we pride ourselves on our ability to deliver exceptional outcomes through our network of 20,000+ talented consultants. With sustainability and innovation at the heart of all our sectors in North America, including, Buildings, Energy, Transportation, and Water.

 

We believe in empowering our people to excel, learn, and grow, offering diverse opportunities to contribute to career-defining work. Join us and be part of a collaborative environment where your ambitions are united with ours, and you can truly shape your story.

 

As a Principal Project Manager in our Northeast division, you will play a pivotal role in leading complex infrastructure projects, with a focus on underground transit systems, rail facilities, and multimodal transportation hubs. This senior-level position offers the opportunity to shape the future of urban mobility through innovative engineering and strategic program management. 

You will be responsible for overseeing the full lifecycle of major transportation projects—from concept development through design, procurement, and commissioning. This role is expected to evolve into a leadership position that builds and mentors a high-performing team, driving excellence in program delivery and client satisfaction across the Northeast region. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Project & Program Leadership: Lead multidisciplinary teams in the execution of large-scale transportation and underground transit projects, ensuring alignment with client goals, budgets, and timelines. 

• Strategic Planning: Develop and implement program management strategies that optimize resources, mitigate risks, and enhance project outcomes. 

• Procurement & Contracting: Prepare procurement documentation, support bid evaluations, and advise clients on contract strategies for design-build and traditional delivery models. 

• Commercial Oversight: Manage commercial aspects including change orders, claims analysis, and resolution of differing site conditions. 

• Cost & Schedule Management: Develop and review detailed cost estimates, schedules, and phasing plans to support project delivery. 

• Risk Management: Facilitate risk identification workshops, maintain risk registers, and implement mitigation strategies. 

• Design Review & Technical Oversight: Provide expert review of architectural and engineering designs, specifications, and technical reports for transit stations, tunnels, and related infrastructure. 

• Innovation & Concept Development: Lead the development of engineering concepts and communicate design intent effectively to internal teams and external stakeholders. 

• Client Engagement: Serve as a trusted advisor to clients, participating in progress meetings, stakeholder coordination, and reporting. 

• Team Development: Mentor junior architects, engineers and project staff, fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous improvement. 

• Business Development: Leverage your industry experience and network to identify new opportunities, contribute to proposal development, and expand our service offerings with transit agencies. 

About Mott MacDonald: 

Mott MacDonald has been a leader in rail and transit infrastructure since the early 1900s. Our global team delivers innovative, sustainable, and cost-effective solutions that shape the future of transportation. We are committed to expanding our footprint in the Northeast and seek a visionary leader to help drive this growth. 

Candidate Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture, Civil Engineering, or a related discipline. 

• 10–15 years of experience managing major transportation and transit proj