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Contract Railway Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Bechtel

Contracts Manager

Reston, VA · On-site

$159K - $231K/yr

... rail under California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) oversight and following Caltrans ... Manage complex contract changes by collaborating with project coordinators and obtaining necessary ...

Bechtel

Contracts Manager

Reston, VA · On-site +1

$159K - $231K/yr

... rail under California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) oversight and following Caltrans ... Manage complex contract changes by collaborating with project coordinators and obtaining necessary ...

Dewberry

Railway Senior Construction Manager

Gainesville, VA · On-site

$141K - $170K/yr

Duties may include reading and understanding contract language making recommendations for partial ... Considerable knowledge of rail stations, bridges, facility, roadway, structure, traffic engineering ...

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Contract Railway information

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$17

$26

$49

How much do contract railway jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract railway in the United States is $26.18, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.19 and $28.61 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a contract railway?

A Contract Railway worker is a professional who is hired on a contractual basis to perform various tasks related to the construction, maintenance, or operation of railway systems. These workers may include engineers, maintenance staff, track inspectors, or construction crews who are not permanent employees but are engaged for specific projects or time periods. Their responsibilities can range from laying new tracks and repairing existing infrastructure to ensuring safety and compliance with regulations. Working under contracts allows railway companies to scale their workforce based on project needs and timelines.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a contract railway engineer?

To thrive as a Contract Railway Engineer, you need a solid background in civil or mechanical engineering, railway system design, and project management, usually supported by a relevant engineering degree and professional accreditation. Familiarity with industry-standard tools like AutoCAD, rail-specific modeling software, and compliance with safety regulations and certifications such as IRSE or PTS is commonly required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial to excel in collaborative, safety-critical environments. These competencies ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and in accordance with stringent industry standards.

What are common challenges faced by professionals working in contract railway roles, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in contract railway roles often encounter challenges such as coordinating with multiple stakeholders, adhering to strict safety and regulatory standards, and managing project schedules within tight deadlines. Effective communication and strong organizational skills are essential to address these challenges, as is a proactive approach to problem-solving. Familiarity with industry regulations and a commitment to ongoing training can also help ensure successful project delivery and foster positive working relationships with both internal teams and external partners.

What is the difference between Contract Railway vs Contract Railroad?

AspectContract RailwayContract Railroad
CertificationsTypically requires railway operation certifications, safety training, and possibly freight handling licensesSimilar certifications, including safety and operational licenses
Work EnvironmentRail yards, tracks, and freight terminals, often outdoors and physically demandingSame as Contract Railway, involving outdoor rail environments and logistics
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by railway companies, freight carriers, and logistics firmsCommonly used interchangeably with Contract Railway in industry and job searches

Contract Railway and Contract Railroad roles are very similar, often involving the same work environments, certifications, and industry usage. The terms are frequently used interchangeably, with both referring to contractual positions in railway operations, freight handling, and logistics. The main difference is often regional or employer preference, but overall, they describe comparable job functions in the rail industry.

Is it hard to get a contract railway job?

Contract railway jobs can be competitive and often require relevant experience, safety certifications, and knowledge of railway operations. Candidates typically need to pass background checks and sometimes drug tests, with some roles demanding physical fitness and technical skills. The difficulty of securing such a position depends on the individual's qualifications and the current job market conditions.
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What are the most commonly searched types of Railway jobs?

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What states have the most Contract Railway jobs?

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Contract Railway jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Railway job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,445 per year, or $26.2 per hour.

Freight Rail Engineering Project Manager - Railroad

Succession Planning for Railroads Investing in the Next Generation LLC

Chicago, IL

$100K - $280K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago

Job description

We are seeking a Freight Rail Engineering Project Manager to join our rapidly growing Transportation Practice. Our ideal candidate will be someone with excellent client interaction skills who can manage and lead planning and design teams for engineering projects both locally and across the nation.
 
In this position, you will be a key part of a seller/doer team and you will manage all aspects of railroad/transit engineering projects from business development, scope and fee development, staffing plan development, project oversight, quality management, and financial performance responsibilities. A major emphasis will be placed on leading rail industrial development projects to successful completion.
 
Responsibilities
  • Adhere to the companies safety programs, training, and policies, as well as promote and manage the Safety & Health performance of project team members and subcontractors.
  • Work with a multi-discipline team of engineers and technicians in the design and analysis of rail engineering projects as well as the contractors and construction staff on design/build projects.
  • Provides leadership and guidance in multiple facets of projects including safety, quality, engineering, procurement, construction, environmental compliance, project controls, and public/community relations.
  • Develop new and manage existing client relationships while interfacing with the client for proposal and project-related items.
  • Lead internal and external project risk reviews and consult with the Legal Department as required.
  • Client development, maintenance, and management; contract preparation and negotiation; coordination with regulatory agencies; project planning, budgeting, and scheduling; and the establishment of critical project objectives and performances.
  • Plans, organizes, and communicates project personnel needs to department and section management.
  • Mentors less experienced staff on technical aspects of a project.
  • Serves as a leader improving the latest technologies in rail engineering and transportation planning.
  • Leading project planning, budgeting and establishing critical project objectives.
  • Analyze and communicate project status, risks, schedule and costs to all internal and external stakeholders.
  • Manage downstream contract administration including request for information (RFI’s), submittals, change management, contract closeout, and claims mitigation.
  • Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field from an accredited curriculum.
  • Minimum 7 years related experience (15 preferred), including 5 or more years in the development of or management of rail engineering or architectural projects.
  • Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) strongly preferred.
  • Experience managing rail industrial development design-build projects preferred.
  • Ability to work with existing and new clients to identify new projects, articulate to the clients our ability to perform those projects, and translate that into the sale of consulting services.
  • Ability to lead multi-discipline teams of engineers.
  • Strong communication skills (both verbal and written) and presentation skills.
  • Ability to perform under pressure and tight deadlines while managing multiple projects concurrently, including identification of critical path items to ensure deliverable deadlines are met.
  • Ability to focus on the big picture to effectively and efficiently provide services that meet client needs, while also having the ability to identify and analyze details that are critical to project outcomes.
  • Willingness to learn new service offerings as client needs and the market requires changes to the service offerings provided by our group.
  • Willingness and ability to develop a broad set of service offering types to allow for flexibility to sell work in growing markets.
  • Willingness to cross-sell other services offered by our company outside the project manager’s core set of services.
  • Ability to communicate with various business contacts to understand their needs and translate them into a scope of work that meets their desired outcomes.
  • Knowledge of rail engineering methodologies and standards.
  • Knowledge of engineering software including MicroStation, OpenRail, Geopak, Inroads, or equivalent design/production software.
  • Experience working with rail clients.
Benefits
  • Our extensive benefits package takes care of you so that you can focus on doing great work. From insurance and disability to time off and wellness programs, we provide the tools to meet your needs. As part of being 100% employee-owned, eligible employees participate in our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) in addition to our 401(k) retirement program.
$100,000.00-280,000.00 Yearly
 
The expected compensation range for this position is displayed in compliance with all local/state regulations. The expected compensation range for this position is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to: individual education, qualifications, prior work experience and work location. The total annual compensation package will consist of a base salary and eligibility to participate in our discretionary year-end incentive bonus program.
EEO/Disabled/Veterans

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.