1

Civil Engineering Rail Jobs (NOW HIRING)

GFT is seeking a Civil Engineer, Freight Rail Design to join our Transportation Team in any of the ... Whether working on highways and bridges or traffic engineering, our team excels in resilient ...

The ideal candidate should be a licensed civil engineer with extensive experience in multi ... Cedars-Sinai Medical Center California High Speed Rail Stations Caltech Laboratory for High-Speed ...

About Zephyr Rail Zephyr Rail is an engineering design and construction management firm based in ... Job Summary As a Civil Inspector - Rail, you will be Zephyr Rail's eyes and ears on-site, ensuring ...

Jedson Engineering is an Engineering Consultancy headquartered in Cincinnati, OH. We provide full ... Strong design skills in planning, site layout, grading, roadways, and railways. * Inspect ...

Apply Early

S. in Civil Engineering, Railway Engineering, or related field (M.S. preferred). * 11+ years of experience in track engineering, rail construction, or permanent way infrastructure. * Proven ...

S. in Civil Engineering, Railway Engineering, or related field (M.S. preferred). * 11+ years of experience in track engineering, rail construction, or permanent way infrastructure. * Proven ...

S. in Civil Engineering, Railway Engineering, or related field (M.S. preferred). * 11+ years of experience in track engineering, rail construction, or permanent way infrastructure. * Proven ...

S. in Civil Engineering, Railway Engineering, or related field (M.S. preferred). * 11+ years of experience in track engineering, rail construction, or permanent way infrastructure. * Proven ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Civil Engineering Rail information

See salary details

$38K

$82.7K

$123K

How much do civil engineering rail jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for civil engineering rail in the United States is $82,674.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $67,500.00 and $98,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Civil Engineering Rail professional, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Civil Engineering Rail professional, you need a solid grounding in civil engineering principles, rail infrastructure design, and project management, typically backed by a relevant degree and professional accreditation (e.g., PE or Chartered Engineer). Familiarity with industry-specific software such as AutoCAD, MicroStation, and rail safety standards, as well as experience with BIM systems, is essential. Strong communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities help professionals excel in multidisciplinary project environments. These skills ensure the safe, efficient, and cost-effective delivery of rail projects, which are critical to public safety and infrastructure reliability.

What are some common challenges faced by civil engineers working on rail infrastructure projects?

Civil engineers in the rail sector often face challenges such as coordinating with multiple stakeholders (including contractors, government agencies, and utility companies), ensuring work complies with stringent safety and regulatory standards, and managing construction schedules that minimize disruption to existing rail operations. Projects can also involve complex logistics due to the scale and location of rail lines, as well as unique technical demands like integrating new technologies or addressing ground stability. Adaptability and strong communication skills are essential for navigating these challenges and ensuring project success.

What is the difference between Civil Engineering Rail vs Civil Engineering Structural?

AspectCivil Engineering RailCivil Engineering Structural
CredentialsEngineering degree, often with rail-specific certificationsEngineering degree, with structural design certifications
Work EnvironmentRailway construction sites, track maintenance, transit projectsBuilding and bridge construction sites, structural analysis labs
Industry UsageRailway companies, transit authorities, infrastructure firmsConstruction firms, architectural companies, infrastructure projects

Both roles require an engineering degree, but Civil Engineering Rail focuses on railway infrastructure, while Civil Engineering Structural emphasizes building and bridge design. The choice depends on your interest in transportation systems versus general structural projects.

What is civil engineering in rail?

Civil engineering in rail involves the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of railway infrastructure such as tracks, bridges, tunnels, and stations. Civil engineers working in rail ensure that rail systems are safe, efficient, and sustainable by applying engineering principles to solve complex transportation challenges. They collaborate with other engineering disciplines to manage projects from feasibility to completion, often addressing concerns related to ground conditions, environmental impact, and long-term durability. This field plays a crucial role in supporting the movement of people and goods by rail.
More about Civil Engineering Rail jobs
Infographic showing various Civil Engineering Rail job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,674 per year, or $39.7 per hour.

Civil Engineer - Freight Rail Design

GFT.

Austin, TX • On-site

$80K - $115K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 8 days ago


Job description

GFT is seeking a Civil Engineer, Freight Rail Design to join our Transportation Team in any of the following GFT locations: Kansas City, MO, Omaha, NE, Austin, Dallas, or Houston, TX! This role follows a hybrid work model, requiring regular attendance at one of these office locations. 

Working on the Transportation team at GFT offers the opportunity to engage in transformative projects that enhance transportation infrastructure and improve community connectivity. Whether working on highways and bridges or traffic engineering, our team excels in resilient, sustainable design and construction, delivering innovative solutions that address the complexities of modern, multimodal roadway systems and ensure safe, efficient, and reliable travel for all.  Explore some of our signature Transportation projects here.    

What you'll be challenged to do:

This role will support our Midwest Area on a variety of design and planning projects with an emphasis on Rail design. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated ability to understand the application of engineering fundamentals on transportation engineering design projects for a variety of clients, particularly states, municipalities, and railroads. This position is with our Midwest Design Team. This position has the opportunity to grow into a Team Lead role within 6 months to 1 year, providing leadership over rail design staff. Ideal for candidates looking to take on project management responsibilities while continuing to develop their technical expertise.

In this capacity, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following: 

  • Lead track and rail infrastructure design for freight railroads, intermodal facilities, and industrial rail projects.
  • Develop plan and profile designs using MicroStation/OpenRail for new track alignments, industry track loops, yard expansions, and rehabilitation projects.
  • Prepare horizontal and vertical alignment designs, turnout and crossover layouts, drainage considerations, and grading plans.
  • Coordinate with Class I railroads (BNSF, UP, CN, CSX, KCS, etc.), public agencies, and private clients to meet project specifications.
  • Perform site investigations, track geometry calculations, and constructability assessments.
  • Work alongside civil, structural, and signal teams to integrate rail projects into broader transportation networks.
  • Support permitting and compliance with AREMA standards and railroad engineering guidelines.
  • Mentor junior engineers, conduct quality control (QC) reviews, and help develop best practices for rail design.
What you will bring to our firm: 
  • Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering from an accredited university.
  • Minimum of 4 years' professional experience in rail design (freight, passenger, or intermodal projects preferred).
  • Licensed Professional Engineer, or able to obtain licensure within 6 months of hire. 
  • Proficiency in MicroStation and/or OpenRail.
  • Understanding of AREMA standards, Class I railroad design guidelines, and industry best practices.
  • Strong communication skills and ability to work with public agencies, railroads, and private developers.
  • Prior leadership experience or readiness to take on a lead design role.
Compensation:

The salary range for this role is $80,000 - $115,000. Salary is dependent upon experience and geographic location.

 Featured Benefits: 
  • Hybrid (in-person and remote) work environment.
  • Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
  • Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan.
  • Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual.
  • Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
  • Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations
  • Incentive compensation for eligible positions.

At GFT, a privately held AEC firm, we innovate where transportation, water, power, and buildings converge. We call this the Infrastructure of Life. We measure our success by the strength of our relationships - that's why we're the employer of choice for 5,000+ of the industry's brightest engineers, planners, architects, inspectors, designers, and more.

Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our nimble approach, creativity, and personal touch. Backed by over a century's experience, together we're building a lasting legacy for future generations: stronger communities, a healthier planet, and better lives.GFT: Ingenuity That Shapes Lives is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans' status or other characteristics protected by law.

Unsolicited resumes from third party agencies will be considered the property GFT.

Location:  Kansas City, MO; Omaha, NE; Houston, TX; Dallas, TXCore Business Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PMEmployment Status: Full-Time

GFT does require the successful completion of a criminal background check for all advertised positions.

#LI-Hybrid

#LI-MS2

Employment Type: FULL_TIME