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About the role
- Director of Rail/Transit leading Valdes' new rail services group in Lombard, IL. Focused on business development and project delivery for rail and transit projects.
Responsibilities
- Drive business development by identifying, pursuing, and securing opportunities with METRA, CTA, PACE, railroads (e.g., Class I freight operators), and related agencies, leveraging personal networks to expand Valdes' presence in the rail/transit sector
- Lead strategic planning for rail/transit services, including market analysis, service integration with Valdes' existing civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, and environmental engineering offerings, and alignment with overall transportation group goals
- Oversee the full lifecycle of rail/transit projects, from planning and design to construction management, ensuring compliance with FRA, FTA, AREMA, and local regulations
- Manage multidisciplinary teams in delivering solutions for track design, signaling systems, stations, maintenance facilities, rolling stock integration, and transit-oriented developments
- Serve as a technical expert and hands-on contributor ("doer") in project execution, including design reviews, feasibility studies, and problem-solving for complex infrastructure challenges
- Build and mentor a rail/transit team, promoting collaboration across departments to deliver innovative, sustainable solutions for capacity expansion, electrification, and resilience
- Cultivate long-term client relationships, acting as the primary liaison with stakeholders to address needs in safety, operations, and funding (e.g., federal grants like FTA Capital Investment Grants)
- Collaborate with internal leaders on budgeting, resource allocation, performance metrics, and business planning to drive revenue growth
- Stay current on industry trends, such as high-speed rail advancements, positive train control, and sustainable transit practices, to position Valdes as a thought leader
- Contribute to proposals, negotiations, and public engagements, including regulatory interactions and industry presentations
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, Transportation Engineering, or a related field
- 15+ years of progressive experience in rail/transit engineering, planning, or consulting, with direct involvement in projects for METRA, CTA, PACE, and railroads
- Proven track record as a doer-seller, balancing technical project delivery with successful business development and client relationship management
- Strong knowledge of rail/transit standards (e.g., FRA, FTA, AREMA, MUTCD) and federal funding processes
- Excellent leadership, communication, and negotiation skills, with the ability to motivate teams and influence stakeholders.
- Willingness to travel for client meetings, site visits, and industry events (valid driver's license required)
- Master's degree in engineering, Transportation Planning, or a related discipline
- Professional Engineer (PE) license, preferably in Illinois or multiple states
- Experience with multidisciplinary firms like Crawford, Murphy & Tilly or Mead & Hunt, focusing on rail/transit infrastructure, innovative designs, and stakeholder collaboration
- Familiarity with software tools such as Bentley Rail Track, AutoCAD Civil 3D, or simulation software for transit modeling
- Prior leadership in growing a rail/transit practice, including team development and revenue generation
- Active involvement in industry organizations like APTA, AREMA, or ASCE
- Must possess exceptional interpersonal and organizational skills
- Must be able to work in the US without sponsorship now or in the future.
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