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Light Rail Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Gohrt

Electro-Mechanical Technician

Norfolk, VA

$34.50/hr

Responsible for high operating and safety performance of light rail vehicles. * Ability to quickly troubleshoot, repair and program carborne and localized programmable logic controllers, network ...

Kimley-Horn

Project Manager - Transit

Richmond, VA

... light rail, and bus rapid transit projects. * Various tasks may include concept through final ... Professional Engineering (P.E.) License (or ability to obtain within 12 months) * 6+ years of ...

Kimley-Horn

Project Manager - Transit

Richmond, VA · On-site

... light rail, and bus rapid transit projects. * Various tasks may include concept through final ... Professional Engineering (P.E.) License (or ability to obtain within 12 months) * 6+ years of ...

Kimley-Horn

Project Manager - Transit

Richmond, VA

... light rail, and bus rapid transit projects. * Various tasks may include concept through final ... Professional Engineering (P.E.) License (or ability to obtain within 12 months) * 6+ years of ...

Kimley-Horn

Project Manager - Transit

Richmond, VA

... light rail, and bus rapid transit projects. * Various tasks may include concept through final ... Professional Engineering (P.E.) License (or ability to obtain within 12 months) * 6+ years of ...

STV

Senior Engineering Operations Manager

Fairfax, VA

$116K - $133K/yr

STV is seeking a Senior Engineering Operations Manager to serve as a trusted operations leader and ... Light Rail, Commuter Rail, Heavy Rail/Subway, and Bus Operations * Strong working knowledge of:

Herzog

Civil Superintendent

Springfield, VA · On-site

$175K - $220K/yr

Construction Management/Civil Engineering degree preferred. * Minimum 8 years in civil construction ... light rail, streetcar, and freight rail projects. We believe our culture is at the heart of our ...

Herzog

Civil Superintendent

Springfield, VA · On-site

$175K - $220K/yr

Construction Management/Civil Engineering degree preferred. * Minimum 8 years in civil construction ... light rail, streetcar, and freight rail projects. We believe our culture is at the heart of our ...

Columbus McKinnon Corporation

2nd Shift Janitor

Damascus, VA · On-site

$12 - $15.25/hr

... tools, light rail workstations and digital power and motion control systems. We are focused on ... engineering know-how. Columbus McKinnon is a publicly traded company that has been in business for ...

Gohrt

Construction Projects Coordinator

Norfolk, VA

$108K - $140K/yr

... Engineering and Facilities Officer, as needed, for all LRT projects and other projects as required. * Serves as a liaison between City and Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) for light rail project, and ...

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All JobsLight Rail Engineer JobsLight Rail Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Light Rail Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$10

$40

$71

How much do light rail engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for light rail engineer in Virginia is $40.14, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.98 and $57.51 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

While most light rail engineers earn between $70,000 and $120,000 annually, highly experienced or senior-level engineers working in large metropolitan transit agencies or specialized consulting roles can potentially earn around $200,000 to $300,000. Achieving a $500,000 salary typically requires executive-level positions, such as transit agency directors or senior project managers, or roles combining engineering with executive responsibilities, often supplemented by bonuses or profit-sharing.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership roles. High compensation often involves working in high-demand industries, holding managerial positions, or possessing rare technical expertise.

What does a Light Rail Engineer do?

A Light Rail Engineer is responsible for the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of light rail transit systems. Their work includes overseeing tracks, stations, signaling systems, and integration with other transportation modes. They collaborate with architects, urban planners, and contractors to ensure safe, efficient, and sustainable rail services. Additionally, Light Rail Engineers address technical challenges and regulatory requirements throughout the lifecycle of a light rail project.

What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Light Rail Engineers typically do not earn $200,000 annually; salaries for this role usually range from $70,000 to $130,000 depending on experience and location. Higher salaries may be seen in senior or specialized engineering positions within transportation or infrastructure projects, often requiring advanced skills, certifications, and extensive experience.

How much do rail engineers get paid?

Rail or light rail engineers typically earn between $60,000 and $100,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and certifications. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced engineers or those in supervisory roles can earn higher salaries, often with additional benefits for working in technical environments and requiring specialized skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Light Rail Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Light Rail Engineer, you need a solid background in civil or electrical engineering, often with a bachelor's degree and relevant professional registration. Familiarity with CAD software, rail signaling systems, and project management tools is typically required, along with knowledge of safety and regulatory standards. Strong problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills help facilitate collaboration and effective project delivery. These skills ensure the safe, efficient, and timely design and implementation of light rail systems.

What are some common challenges faced by Light Rail Engineers during the design and construction phases of a project?

Light Rail Engineers often encounter challenges such as coordinating with multiple stakeholders, ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards, and integrating new systems within existing urban infrastructure. Managing tight project timelines and budgets while addressing unforeseen site conditions can also be demanding. Effective communication and collaboration with architects, city planners, and contractors are essential to navigate these complexities and deliver successful light rail projects.

What is the difference between Light Rail Engineer vs Tram Engineer?

AspectLight Rail EngineerTram Engineer
CredentialsEngineering degree, certifications in transit systemsEngineering degree, certifications in transit or rail systems
Work EnvironmentUrban transit systems, rail yards, maintenance facilitiesCity streets, tram lines, urban areas
Employer & IndustryPublic transit agencies, rail companiesMunicipal transit authorities, private tram operators
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Light Rail Engineers and Tram Engineers share similar roles in designing, maintaining, and improving urban transit systems. Both require engineering credentials and work within public transit environments. The main difference lies in their specific systems: Light Rail Engineers focus on larger, often modernized light rail networks, while Tram Engineers typically work on city street-level tram lines. Understanding these distinctions helps job seekers find the right career path in urban transit engineering.

What are popular job titles related to Light Rail Engineer jobs in Virginia? For Light Rail Engineer jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Light Rail Engineer jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Light Rail Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Light Rail Engineer jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Light Rail Engineer job openings:
Light Rail Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Light Rail Engineer job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $83,499 per year, or $40.1 per hour.
Transit Design Sr Project Manager

Transit Design Sr Project Manager

Burgess & Niple, Inc.

Norfolk, VA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

  • Minimum Experience: 8 years
  • Education: BE
  • Registration: Professional Engineer (PE)
  • Sponsorship: Immigration related employment benefits, e.g. visa sponsorship, are not available for this position.
  • Third-Party Recruiting: Position not approved for third-party recruiters. Click for details

B&N Transit Design Sr Project Manager Responsibilities:
The Senior Project Manager is responsible for leading the planning, design, engineering, and implementation of Rapid Transit projects from concept through construction and launch. This role oversees complex, multi-disciplinary project teams; manages budgets, schedules, and stakeholder relationships; ensures compliance with federal, state, and local requirements; and delivers high-quality transit solutions that enhance mobility, equity, and community development.
The ideal candidate brings extensive experience in transit capital projects, preferably BRT, along with strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Project Leadership & Delivery
  • Lead end-to-end delivery of rapid transit capital projects, including planning, design, environmental review, procurement, construction, and commissioning of bus rapid transit, arterial rapid transit, light rail, and/or streetcar.
  • Develop and manage project scopes, schedules, budgets, risk registers, and performance metrics.
  • Ensure projects comply with FTA requirements, including NEPA, Title VI, Small Starts/New Starts, and other federal grant funding processes.
  • Oversee design and engineering activities for stations, corridors, transit signal priority (TSP), guideways, vehicle interfaces, ITS, and supporting infrastructure.

Stakeholder & Partner Coordination
  • Serve as primary point of contact among clients, internal teams, subconsultants, contractors, government stakeholders, and community groups.
  • Facilitate interdepartmental coordination across planning, engineering, operations, communications, and procurement.
  • Lead public outreach efforts and represent the project at public meetings, board meetings, advisory groups, with elected officials, and community events.

Technical Expertise
  • Provide subject matter expertise in rapid transit design elements for multiple modes including bus, arterial, light rail, and/or streetcar such as:
    • Dedicated lanes
    • Station and platform design
    • Signal priority and queue jumps
    • Fleet and charging infrastructure (if applicable)
    • Corridor branding and customer amenities
    • Integration with pedestrian, bike, and land-use improvements
  • Review and approve technical plans, engineering drawings, and cost estimates.
  • Demonstrate ability to develop design budgetarily and operationally feasible solutions to meet client expectations.

Financial & Grant Expertise
  • Develop project budgets and track expenditures.
  • Apply knowledge of federal, state, and local grant funding requirements.
  • Ensure compliance with funding requirements, procurement policies, and agency standards.

Skills & Qualifications:
  • 8+ years of transit design experience with demonstrated project management capabilities
  • Professional Engineer (PE) registration
  • Bachelor of Science degree from an ABET accredited civil or transportation engineering program
  • Strategic and systems thinking
  • Leadership and staff coordination
  • Financial and risk management
  • Strong written and verbal communication
  • Conflict resolution and negotiation
  • Ability to balance long-term vision with day-to-day execution

To learn more about B&N's Perks and Culture click here .
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