Junior Rails Developer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Lochner is seeking an experienced Senior Track Engineer to lead the planning, design, rehabilitation, and maintenance support of railroad track infrastructure projects throughout Illinois and across the nation.  This role requires technical leadership in track geometry, rail systems, alignment, track drainage, and construction phasing for freight, passenger, commuter, or transit rail projects.

The Senior Track Engineer will collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams, clients, contractors, and regulatory agencies to deliver safe, cost-effective, and compliant rail infrastructure solutions

Your impact: 

• Lead the design and engineering of railroad track systems, including:
  • Horizontal and vertical alignments
  • Turnouts and crossovers
  • Rail, ties, ballast, and subgrade systems
  • Yard and siding layouts
  • At-grade crossings
• Prepare and review:
  • Construction drawings
  • Technical specifications
  • Engineering calculations
  • Cost estimates
  • Bid documents and design reports
• Perform track geometry analysis and develop rehabilitation or maintenance recommendations.
• Coordinate with civil, structural, drainage, signal, and transportation engineering teams.
• Provide technical oversight for rail improvement, expansion, and rehabilitation projects.
• Support construction activities through:
  • Shop drawing reviews
  • RFIs and submittals
  • Site inspections
  • Field engineering support
• Ensure compliance with:
  • FRA regulations
  • AREMA standards
  • State DOT requirements
  • Client design standards
• Manage project schedules, budgets, and deliverables.
• Mentor junior engineers and technical staff.
• Participate in client meetings, presentations, and business development activities.

Who you are:

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or related engineering discipline.
• 8+ years of railroad or track engineering experience.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required or ability to obtain in Illinois.
• Strong knowledge of:
  • AREMA standards
  • Railroad design practices
  • Track alignment and geometry
  • Rail construction methods
  • Track maintenance principles
• Experience using engineering software such as:
  • AutoCAD Civil 3D
  • MicroStation
  • OpenRail Designer
  • GIS and survey tools
• Strong project management and communication skills.
• Ability to travel to project sites throughout Illinois and neighboring states as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Metra experience preferred
• Experience with Class I railroads, commuter rail, or transit agencies.
• Design-build project experience.
• PMP certification or project management experience.
• Familiarity with rail yard design and drainage systems.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary transportation projects.

About Lochner

Founded in 1944, Lochner is a trusted infrastructure services provider for aviation, surface transportation and water clients who need high-quality, forward-looking solutions to complex challenges. Our vision is to become a Top 100 leader in the A/E industry, centered on an agile, engaged, and empowered workforce coming together to embrace the art of the possible and make a lasting difference in our world.

Are you ready to join us on this journey?

As a people-centric company, Lochner’s purpose is to empower our team to put their knowledge to work, enhancing communities across the US. To achieve this, we hire candidates of all experiences and skillsets because amazing things happen when people with diverse backgrounds come together to solve problems. We believe collaboration is more than a buzz word — it is a guiding principle in which every point of view is valued and heard and is the driving force in delivering our best work. At all levels of the organization, we foster an entrepreneurial spirit and culture of autonomy to advance our strategic vision and continually seek our next success story.  Lochner – learn more about us

Joining Lochner means gaining access to a comprehensive suite of benefits designed to support your health and financial well-being throughout your career.

Lochner provides an extensive total rewards package (Benefits available for FT Employees) that includes:

• Competitive Premiums for Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Paid Time Off and Flexible Holiday Program
• Company Paid Disability (includes paid Maternity Leave), and Life Insurance
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA) with Employer Contribution
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Medical Expenses and/or Dependent Care
• Paid Family Leave
• Retirement Savings Plan with Employer Match 
• Flexible Work Schedules (Hybrid or Remote, when possible)
• Wellness Program for Physical and Mental Health
• Lochner Cares Non-Profit 501c3
• Education and Training Assistance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Discounts
• Paid Time Off for Charitable Acts of Service

What we offer – Learn more

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. 

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Intermittent sitting, walking, standing, bending, squatting, climbing, kneeling, twisting, stoop, crawl, and lifting. The employee must frequently lift and/or move light equipment up to 20 pounds. Must be alert to equipment in the field, occasional need to work near hazardous equipment and machinery, occasional need to walk on uneven ground, exposure to dust, gas or fumes, exposure to noise, extremes in temperature or humidity, and potential work at heights. 

Equal Employer

Lochner is proudly committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce.  Lochner provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

All positions at Lochner require an applicant who has accepted an employment offer to undergo pre-employment screening. Background checks include SSN/SIN validation, motor vehicle verification, education verification, employment verification, criminal check, search against global sanctions and government watch lists, and drug tests. All employment offers are contingent upon successful results of the pre-employment screening.

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