The successful candidate will prepare, direct and manage layouts of railroad track alignments for both passenger/commuter and freight rail for rail and transit and multi-discipline project teams ...
The successful candidate will prepare, direct and manage layouts of railroad track alignments for both passenger/commuter and freight rail for rail and transit and multi-discipline project teams ...
Senior Rail Track Design Engineer
$99K - $137K/yr
You will play a key role in delivering complex rail projects-including LRT, heavy rail, commuter rail, and yard/maintenance facilities-while supporting the growth of our national Rail + Transit ...
Senior Rail Track Design Engineer
$99K - $137K/yr
You will play a key role in delivering complex rail projects-including LRT, heavy rail, commuter rail, and yard/maintenance facilities-while supporting the growth of our national Rail + Transit ...
Hands-on engineering work within the light rail, subway, and commuter rail environment including investigations of equipment malfunctions, modifications and reporting findings. * Develop technical ...
Hands-on engineering work within the light rail, subway, and commuter rail environment including investigations of equipment malfunctions, modifications and reporting findings. * Develop technical ...
Technical Manager - Rail Track
Cleveland, OH · On-site +1
The successful candidate will prepare, direct and manage layouts of railroad track alignments for both passenger/commuter and freight rail for rail and transit and multi-discipline project teams ...
Technical Manager - Rail Track
Cleveland, OH · On-site +1
The successful candidate will prepare, direct and manage layouts of railroad track alignments for both passenger/commuter and freight rail for rail and transit and multi-discipline project teams ...
Hands-on engineering work within the light rail, subway, and commuter rail environment including investigations of equipment malfunctions, modifications and reporting findings. * Develop technical ...
Hands-on engineering work within the light rail, subway, and commuter rail environment including investigations of equipment malfunctions, modifications and reporting findings. * Develop technical ...
Senior Rail Track Design Engineer
$99K - $136K/yr
You will play a key role in delivering complex rail projects-including LRT, heavy rail, commuter rail, and yard/maintenance facilities-while supporting the growth of our national Rail + Transit ...
Senior Rail Track Design Engineer
$99K - $136K/yr
You will play a key role in delivering complex rail projects-including LRT, heavy rail, commuter rail, and yard/maintenance facilities-while supporting the growth of our national Rail + Transit ...
Senior Rail Track Design Engineer
$112K - $154K/yr
You will play a key role in delivering complex rail projects-including LRT, heavy rail, commuter rail, and yard/maintenance facilities-while supporting the growth of our national Rail + Transit ...
Senior Rail Track Design Engineer
$112K - $154K/yr
You will play a key role in delivering complex rail projects-including LRT, heavy rail, commuter rail, and yard/maintenance facilities-while supporting the growth of our national Rail + Transit ...
Senior Rail Track Design Engineer
New York, NY · On-site
$114K - $157K/yr
You will play a key role in delivering complex rail projects-including LRT, heavy rail, commuter rail, and yard/maintenance facilities-while supporting the growth of our national Rail + Transit ...
Senior Rail Track Design Engineer
New York, NY · On-site
$114K - $157K/yr
You will play a key role in delivering complex rail projects-including LRT, heavy rail, commuter rail, and yard/maintenance facilities-while supporting the growth of our national Rail + Transit ...
Senior Rail Track Design Engineer
$103K - $142K/yr
You will play a key role in delivering complex rail projects-including LRT, heavy rail, commuter rail, and yard/maintenance facilities-while supporting the growth of our national Rail + Transit ...
Senior Rail Track Design Engineer
$103K - $142K/yr
You will play a key role in delivering complex rail projects-including LRT, heavy rail, commuter rail, and yard/maintenance facilities-while supporting the growth of our national Rail + Transit ...
Senior Rail Track Design Engineer
$123K - $169K/yr
You will play a key role in delivering complex rail projects-including LRT, heavy rail, commuter rail, and yard/maintenance facilities-while supporting the growth of our national Rail + Transit ...
Senior Rail Track Design Engineer
$123K - $169K/yr
You will play a key role in delivering complex rail projects-including LRT, heavy rail, commuter rail, and yard/maintenance facilities-while supporting the growth of our national Rail + Transit ...
Senior Rail Track Design Engineer
Coral Gables, FL · On-site
$99K - $136K/yr
You will play a key role in delivering complex rail projects-including LRT, heavy rail, commuter rail, and yard/maintenance facilities-while supporting the growth of our national Rail + Transit ...
Senior Rail Track Design Engineer
Coral Gables, FL · On-site
$99K - $136K/yr
You will play a key role in delivering complex rail projects-including LRT, heavy rail, commuter rail, and yard/maintenance facilities-while supporting the growth of our national Rail + Transit ...
Senior Rail Track Design Engineer
$99K - $137K/yr
You will play a key role in delivering complex rail projects-including LRT, heavy rail, commuter rail, and yard/maintenance facilities-while supporting the growth of our national Rail + Transit ...
Senior Rail Track Design Engineer
$99K - $137K/yr
You will play a key role in delivering complex rail projects-including LRT, heavy rail, commuter rail, and yard/maintenance facilities-while supporting the growth of our national Rail + Transit ...
Senior Rail Track Design Engineer
$98K - $135K/yr
You will play a key role in delivering complex rail projects-including LRT, heavy rail, commuter rail, and yard/maintenance facilities-while supporting the growth of our national Rail + Transit ...
Senior Rail Track Design Engineer
$98K - $135K/yr
You will play a key role in delivering complex rail projects-including LRT, heavy rail, commuter rail, and yard/maintenance facilities-while supporting the growth of our national Rail + Transit ...
Senior Rail Track Design Engineer
$107K - $147K/yr
You will play a key role in delivering complex rail projects-including LRT, heavy rail, commuter rail, and yard/maintenance facilities-while supporting the growth of our national Rail + Transit ...
Senior Rail Track Design Engineer
$107K - $147K/yr
You will play a key role in delivering complex rail projects-including LRT, heavy rail, commuter rail, and yard/maintenance facilities-while supporting the growth of our national Rail + Transit ...
Senior Rail Track Design Engineer
$98K - $135K/yr
You will play a key role in delivering complex rail projects-including LRT, heavy rail, commuter rail, and yard/maintenance facilities-while supporting the growth of our national Rail + Transit ...
Senior Rail Track Design Engineer
$98K - $135K/yr
You will play a key role in delivering complex rail projects-including LRT, heavy rail, commuter rail, and yard/maintenance facilities-while supporting the growth of our national Rail + Transit ...
Director of Railroad Capital Programs
Boston, MA · On-site +1
$144K - $165K/yr
This position is responsible for financial oversight, resource management, and administrative activities; directing and managing Commuter Rail projects from initiation and scoping through close-out ...
Director of Railroad Capital Programs
Boston, MA · On-site +1
$144K - $165K/yr
This position is responsible for financial oversight, resource management, and administrative activities; directing and managing Commuter Rail projects from initiation and scoping through close-out ...
National Construction Management Lead
Irvine, CA · On-site
$180K - $250K/yr
Lead the expansion of CM services in the rail sector, with a focus on Class I railroads, commuter rail, and public transit agencies. * Drive business development initiatives by leveraging an ...
National Construction Management Lead
Irvine, CA · On-site
$180K - $250K/yr
Lead the expansion of CM services in the rail sector, with a focus on Class I railroads, commuter rail, and public transit agencies. * Drive business development initiatives by leveraging an ...
Lead the expansion of CM services in the rail sector, with a focus on Class I railroads, commuter rail, and public transit agencies. * Drive business development initiatives by leveraging an ...
Lead the expansion of CM services in the rail sector, with a focus on Class I railroads, commuter rail, and public transit agencies. * Drive business development initiatives by leveraging an ...
Passenger Concierge
$16.75 - $21.75/hr
Since 2014, Keolis Commuter Services has been entrusted with operating and maintaining the Commuter Rail network on behalf of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). During this time ...
Passenger Concierge
$16.75 - $21.75/hr
Since 2014, Keolis Commuter Services has been entrusted with operating and maintaining the Commuter Rail network on behalf of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). During this time ...
Knowledge of various rail modes such as Commuter Rail, Light Rail, and / or Streetcar preferred * Knowledge of Operations of DMUs and EMUs required * Knowledge of FRA and FTA regulations required
Knowledge of various rail modes such as Commuter Rail, Light Rail, and / or Streetcar preferred * Knowledge of Operations of DMUs and EMUs required * Knowledge of FRA and FTA regulations required
Commuter Rail information
See salary details
$32K - $35.5K
4% of jobs
$35.5K - $39.1K
17% of jobs
$39.7K is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$39.1K - $42.6K
20% of jobs
The median wage is $45K / yr.
$42.6K - $46.2K
13% of jobs
$46.2K - $49.7K
5% of jobs
$49.7K - $53.3K
6% of jobs
$53.3K - $56.8K
6% of jobs
$58.6K is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$56.8K - $60.4K
5% of jobs
$60.4K - $63.9K
5% of jobs
$63.9K - $67.5K
11% of jobs
$67.5K - $71K
6% of jobs
$32K
$50K
$71K
How much do commuter rail jobs pay per year?
What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Commuter Rail Operator, and why are they important?
What are the typical collaboration points between a Commuter Rail Operator and other departments during daily operations?
What is the difference between Commuter Rail vs Train Operator?
| Aspect | Commuter Rail | Train Operator |
|---|---|---|
| Credentials | High school diploma, some certifications | High school diploma, train operation license |
| Work Environment | Passenger trains, stations, urban/suburban routes | Operating trains, safety protocols, on tracks |
| Employer & Industry | Public transit agencies, commuter rail companies | Railroads, transit agencies, freight and passenger services |
Commuter Rail and Train Operator roles often overlap, but commuter rail refers to the service provided, while train operators are the personnel who operate the trains. Both require safety training and certifications, and they work within the transit industry to ensure passenger transportation. Understanding these distinctions helps job seekers identify the right career path in the rail industry.
What are commuter rail jobs?

Full-time
Posted 17 days ago
Michael Baker International rating
8.9
Based on 18 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz
33rd of 356 rated engineering
Job description
Rail and Transit Practice
Whether moving people or freight, future rail and transit solutions will be determined by energy prices, a shift toward urban living and growing environmental concerns. Michael Baker helps freight, authority and state Department of Transportation clients meet these modern challenges by providing services that address key industry issues such as state of good repair, capacity, safety, community livability, asset management and maintenance, planning and development for new projects, and the promotion of environmental stewardship and sustainability.
We provide value by first understanding our clients' needs, then working with them as a partner to identify innovative and cost-effective solutions that optimize their opportunities for success.
What We're Looking For
Michael Baker is seeking a talented Technical Manager, Rail Track, in a full-time remote or hybrid work environment, to help make a difference in our Rail and Transit Practice.
The successful candidate will focus on rail transportation projects. This position will require close coordination with the technical staff and various technical professionals dispersed within Michael Baker International's remote staff and various offices. The successful candidate will prepare, direct and manage layouts of railroad track alignments for both passenger/commuter and freight rail for rail and transit and multi-discipline project teams, mentor staff engineers, help to develop Michael Baker's Rail and Transit practice, participate in marketing existing clients and growing new clients, and will have a contributing role in the rail and transit leadership organization.
What You Will Do
- Actively participating in technology advancement, identifying technology for strategic implementation
- Disseminating industry information internally to advance staff knowledge
- Encouraging the promotion of the company through trade publications, awards, and conference presentations
- Assisting in the development of Design Standards and Best Practices with rail track leaders
- Performing Design Reviews and QA/QC reviews
- Engaging with relevant industry committees
- Leading evaluation and implementation of innovative technical solutions for internal project teams and clients.
- Designing, directing and/or managing rail-related components of passenger rail, freight rail and commuter rail projects.
- Developing and overseeing the design of track alignments, including special track work such as turnouts, crossovers and diamond crossings.
- Preparing or reviewing geometric details of track alignments including horizontal and vertical curve data.
- Preparing or directing detailed engineering plans using the various Bentley software products (Microstation and OpenRail)
- Playing an integral part in the development and review of plans, specifications and cost estimates for Rail Design projects.
- Assisting with large multi-disciplinary design teams and leading younger staff on a variety of project tasks
- Engineering investigations including feasibility and type studies with cost and risk analysis
- Performing railroad track inspections and other site inspections during construction and maintenance projects to determine if they are within tolerance levels established by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), AREMA, and other applicable regulations.
- Coordinating with multiple disciplines for conformance to design criteria, standards and code requirements.
- Mentoring and advising staff regarding various FRA, AREMA, Class I Railroad and Passenger/Commuter Railroad requirements and preferences.
- Developing webinars to share internally and externally to drive technical excellence.
The preferred candidate will have demonstrated experience leading a team for complex project delivery and have demonstrated adaptation to and integration of new technologies into the workplace.
We are a community built on our employees' relationships and the Technical Manager should actively engage in building and fostering personal relationships with the staff. As part of this, they will remain in communications with leadership and be the technical link between the local offices and the larger rail practice effectively becoming a trusted advisor for the track group. Although not required to answer every technical question, they will strive to be able to point staff in the right direction for resolution, in other words, the Technical Manager will have intimate awareness of track design resources and maintain an expansive network throughout the company.
What You Need To Succeed
- Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering is required. Master's degree is a plus.
- PE license is required. NCEES record is a plus.
- 15+ years of demonstrated experience on various types of rail projects, to include design and plan development of rail projects is required.
- Previously demonstrated project experience with Class I Railroad design and Commuter/Transit Agencies preferred.
- Candidate must have thorough knowledge of and practical experience applying AREMA.
- Must possess excellent client management skills and be able to enhance and develop solid client relationships.
- Proven experience in working on multiple projects concurrently, managing project deadlines and on-time submittals.
- Strong work ethic and ability to work independently as well as within a multidisciplinary team
- Excellent verbal, interpersonal skills and problem-solving ability
- Ability to assist in developing strategic approaches and concepts.
- Availability to occasionally travel to other local offices, job site locations, and business development locations.
What Would Make Me Stand Out as a Candidate
- Member of an AREMA Committee in good standing
- Possess high initiative and demonstrate a proactive, collaborative approach to project development with project team members, clients, contractors and review agencies.
- Strong relationships with Class I Railroad(s) and Commuter/Transit Agencies and understanding of coordination requirements and preferences.
- Master's degree in Railroad Engineering
- Experience working for Class I railroad in design and construction.
Compensation
The approximate compensation range for this position is $125,000 - $190,000 annual. This compensation range is a good-faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Actual compensation is dependent upon factors such as education, qualifications, experience, skillset, and physical work location.
About Us
Michael Baker International, a leading provider of engineering and consulting services, including design, planning, architectural, environmental, construction and program management, has been solving some of the world's most complex infrastructure challenges for more than 85 years with a legacy of expertise, experience, innovation and integrity.
Based in Pittsburgh and with over 100 offices nationwide, we partner with clients on everything from roads, bridges, tunnels, mass transit, and airports, to water treatment plants, arctic oil pipelines, environmental restoration and specialized overseas construction. We serve as a trusted adviser to the communities we serve, making them safer, more accessible, more sustainable and more prosperous.
We provide visionary leadership in facilitating transformational change for our clients. Our work delivers differentiating innovations and dedicated experts who challenge the status quo and share a world of diverse experience and an impassioned entrepreneurial spirit. We deliver quality of life.
We Make a Difference.
Michael Baker International is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Michael Baker International provides equal employment opportunity for all persons, in all facets of employment. Michael Baker International maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply for any open position for which they feel they are qualified and all will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, familial status, pregnancy or childbirth, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status, status with regard to public assistance, or membership or activity in a local human rights commission, or any other legally protected status.
EEO is the Law. Applicants to and employees of Michael Baker International are protected under Federal law from discrimination.
*It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
*There is no current application deadline. Michael Baker will continue to accept applications on an ongoing basis until the position is filled or no longer needed.
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