Principal Project Manager (Design) - Sawtooth Bridges Replacement Program - 90344768 - New York, NY

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SUMMARY OF DUTIES:

The Principal Project Manager - Design Manager will function as a design liaison and coordinator for Amtrak’s Sawtooth Bridges Replacement program. This position requires the ability to work independently to collaborate with stakeholders and project partners, build consensus, identify, manage, and control change, as well as support the development and procurement of contract documents, fit-for-purpose construction documents, and audit work for quality assurance. The role requires continual monitoring and progressing of multiple aspects of on-going design efforts. The Sawtooth Bridges, originally built in 1907, have far exceeded their useful life. Located in Kearny, New Jersey between Newark Penn Station and Secaucus Junction, the bridges have become a chokepoint on the nationally significant NEC. The Sawtooth Bridges Replacement Project will achieve a state of good repair, enhance the reliability and resiliency of rail service, and allow for future capacity improvements along this critical corridor of the NEC. This project is an integral part of the overall Gateway Program.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS :

• Manage the design process, ensuring compliance with Amtrak standards, federal/state/regional regulations, and project objectives.
• Regularly review design progress and resolve design conflicts in collaboration with stakeholders.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the design team (DOR) and the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR).
• Facilitate communication and collaboration to align design documents with construction methods, sequencing, and project goals.
• Coordinate with internal Amtrak Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to obtain direction and technical solutions to design related questions so that design efforts can continue without delay.
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders (including customer service, operations, planning, real estate, engineering, transportation, local and state agencies, FRA, and other partners as required) to establish project needs, resolve technical issues, and align priorities.
• Collaborate with the DOR, PM/CM, ICE and CMAR to identify cost-saving opportunities and innovations without compromising design intent and quality standards.
• Work with the PM/CM team to manage design related RFIs and CMAR RFIs, ensuring timely responses and effective resolution of issues to maintain project schedule.
• Perform technical reviews of submittals, contractor schedules, and invoices to ensure accuracy, compliance with design intent, and timely processing.
• Conduct constructability reviews during preconstruction and throughout the project lifecycle. Identify and mitigate design-related risks, ensuring alignment with project scope and regulatory compliance.
• Develop and monitor the design phase schedule to align with construction milestones. Oversee timely submission and approval of design packages to avoid delays.
• Analyze change orders, cost estimates, and invoices.
• Evaluate design changes for impacts on cost, schedule, and constructability.
• Facilitate approvals and documentation of changes with all stakeholders.
• Mentor team members and delegate responsibilities based on experience and project needs.
• Drive collaboration across diverse teams to deliver solutions to technical challenges.
• Review contractor and vendor invoices for approval. Processes same ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Provide regular status reports and present progress to senior leadership.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :

• Bachelor's degree required or equivalent combination of training, education, and relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Expertise in delivering solutions which integrate the most up-to-date design codes and Amtrak standards.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES :

• Strong focus on collaboration, team building, and driving to provide solutions to technical questions and challenges.
• Diplomacy and effectiveness in aligning stakeholders’ expectations with project scope and goals.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a matrix organization.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience with the Microsoft Office, as well as the ability to be trained and become familiar with Amtrak’s requirements, systems, and software.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION OR QUALIFICATIONS :

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Civil, Structure, Construction, Railroads, Project Management, Transportation, or a related field.
• At least seven (7) years of relevant experience in managing design for construction projects.
• Licensed Professional Engineer.
• Bridge engineering and bridge construction experience.
• Understanding of railroad business functions, operations, and design and construction processes.
• Previous railroad, heavy civil and bridge projects in the design and/or construction phases.

WORK ENVIRONMENT :

• Combination of office building and jobsite environment.
• Work in cubicle setting; stand, sit, bend, twist, use file drawers.
• Sit at computer to complete assignments, projects, and majority of tasks.
• Ability to work under pressure. Occasional travel as needed.
• On site work schedule. 4 days in the office with 1 day remote.

COMMUNICATION AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS :

Must have excellent oral and written communication skills.

The salary range is $113,200-$146,664 . Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, internal equity, etc. Depending on an employee’s assigned worksite or location, Amtrak may consider a geo-pay differential to be applied to the employee’s base salary. Amtrak may offer additional incentive and pay programs to recognize and reward our employees, including a short-term incentive bonus based upon factors such as individual and company performance that is commensurate with the level of the position and/or long-term incentive plan compensation. In addition to your salary, Amtrak offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes health, dental, and vision plans; health savings accounts; wellness programs; flexible spending accounts; 401K retirement plan with employer match; life insurance; short and long term disability insurance; paid time off; back-up care; adoption assistance; surrogacy assistance; reimbursement of education expenses; Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility; Railroad Retirement sickness and retirement benefits; and rail pass privileges. Learn more about our benefits offerings .

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Requisition ID: 165139

Work Arrangement: 06-Onsite 4/5 Days Click here for more information about work arrangements at Amtrak.
Relocation Offered: No
Travel Requirements: Up to 25%

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We want your work at Amtrak to be more than a job. We want your career at Amtrak to be a fulfilling experience where you find challenging work, rewarding opportunities, respect among colleagues, and attractive compensation. Amtrak maintains a culture that values high performance and recognizes individual employee contributions. 

Amtrak is committed to a safe workplace free of drugs and alcohol. All Amtrak positions requires a pre-employment background check that includes prior employment verification, a criminal history check and a pre-employment drug screen. 

Candidates who test positive for marijuana will be disqualified, regardless of any state or local statute, ordinance, regulation, or other law that legalizes or decriminalizes the use or possession of marijuana, whether for medical, recreational, or other use. Amtrak's pre-employment drug testing program is administered in accordance with DOT regulations and applicable law.

In accordance with DOT regulations (49 CFR § 40.25), Amtrak is required to obtain prior drug and alcohol testing records for applicants/employees intending to perform safety-sensitive duties for covered Department of Transportation positions. If an applicant/employee refuses to provide written consent for Amtrak to obtain these records, the individual will not be permitted to perform safety-sensitive functions.

In accordance with federal law governing security checks of covered individuals for providers of public transportation (Title 6 U.S.C. §1143), Amtrak is required to screen applicants for any permanent or interim disqualifying criminal offenses. 

Note that any education requirement listed above may be deemed satisfied if you have an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Amtrak is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race/color, to include traits historically associated with race, including but not limited to, hair texture and hairstyles such as braids, locks and twists, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions, such as lactation), national origin/ethnicity, disability (intellectual, mental and physical), veteran status, marital status, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, genetic information, citizenship or any other personal characteristics protected by law..