Staff Railroad Engineer

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Posting Date: 28 Oct 2026

City: Houston

Location: Houston, TX, US, 77070 Chicago, IL, US, 60603 Lisle, IL, US, 60532

Contract Type: Permanent

Level of experience: Junior

RINA is a global knowledge company whereexpertisetravels across borders, disciplines, and industries. Every day, we collaborate on solving complexchallenges that no single field could tackle alone. With a presence in more than 70 countries and 160 years of heritage, we turn individualknow-howinto collective progress.

We are currently recruiting for a Staff Railroad Engineerto join our office in Houston, TX or Chicago/Lisle, IL within theProject Engineering Division.

Compensation Data

$85,000 - $120,000 commensurate with education and experience

Mission

We are seeking a motivated Staff Engineer to join our Rail & Transit team, supporting the planning, design, and delivery of freight, passenger, and transit rail projects. Working under the direction of senior engineers and project managers, the Staff Engineer will focus on track design and supporting civil design, track geometry including horizontal and vertical alignment, grading, drainage, railroad civil components and plan production. This role offers hands-on design experience on Class I railroad projects and public agency projects interfacing with railroads, exposure to multi-agency coordination, and a clear path toward professional licensure and increased technical responsibility.

Key Accountabilities

Track Design

• Develop horizontal and vertical track alignments, including curves, spirals, superelevation, and grade calculations, in accordance with AREMA, Railroad, and agency standards.
• Prepare track layouts for mainline, yard, siding, and industry tracks, including turnout and crossover placement, special trackwork, and clearance envelopes.
• Work on Corridor improvement projects for dual use Passenger and Freight Railroads.
• Prepare track plans, profiles, typical sections, railroad detail sheets, and construction staging/phasing plans to maintain rail operations during construction.
• Evaluate existing track conditions using survey, LiDAR, and as-built data to support rehabilitation, upgrade, and capacity improvement projects.
• Support design of grade crossings, crossing surfaces, and track-related elements at bridges, signals, and platforms.
• Perform quantity take-offs and assist in developing construction cost estimates for track work.
• Design site grading, roadbed and subgrade sections, earthwork, and retaining wall layouts supporting rail infrastructure.
• Perform drainage analysis and design, including culverts, ditches, storm sewers, and stormwater management features.
• Prepare roadway, utility relocation, and site civil plans associated with grade separations, crossings, and station/facility improvements.
• Develop erosion and sediment control plans and support environmental permitting requirements.
• Collaborate with other design disciplines, coordinate designs interfacing with other groups such as but not limited to structural, signal, roadway, geotechnical, environmental, and utility disciplines.

Project Delivery & Coordination

• Produce and assemble design deliverables at preliminary, 30/60/90/100%, and final (IFC) milestones, including plans, specifications, and estimates (PS&E).
• Prepare design calculations, technical memoranda, and basis-of-design documentation.
• Participate in internal QA/QC reviews and address comments from railroads, public agencies, and project partners.
• Support stakeholder outreach with aerial exhibits.
• Support coordination with Class I and commuter railroads, state DOTs, FRA, municipalities, and utility owners.
• Conduct field investigations and site visits to verify existing conditions, and provide construction-phase support including RFI responses and submittal reviews.
• Track assigned tasks against project schedules and budgets, and communicate progress and issues to the project manager.
• Follow all company and railroad safety requirements, including roadway worker protection protocols when on or near active track.

Education