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Rail Design Engineer Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

HDR

Rail Bridge Engineer

Vienna, VA · On-site

A minimum of 3 years experience in transportation design - railroad projects * Preference given to ... Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license. * Hands-on experience with Microstation, OpenRail ...

HDR

Rail Bridge Engineer

Vienna, VA · On-site

A minimum of 3 years experience in transportation design - railroad projects * Preference given to ... Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license. * Hands-on experience with Microstation, OpenRail ...

VHB

Senior Signal Engineer/Designer

Washington, DC · Hybrid

Overview ABOUT THE POSITION Senior Signal Engineer/Designer - Transit & Rail - Hybrid - Multiple ... Clear understanding of railroad and rail transit design requirements including AREMA recommended ...

Socket.dev

Senior Rail and Transit Engineer

Fairfax, VA · On-site

$160 - $240/hr

This is your chance to join our team - help us to design the infrastructure that improve the world ... Serve as a technical resource leading a team providing rail track engineering and design services ...

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How much do rail design engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for rail design engineer in Washington is $57.41, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $44.38 and $69.95 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a rail design engineer?

A Rail Design Engineer is responsible for designing and developing railway infrastructure, including tracks, stations, and signaling systems. They use engineering principles and specialized software to create safe, efficient, and sustainable rail transport solutions. Their work involves collaborating with civil, electrical, and mechanical engineers, as well as government agencies and contractors. Rail Design Engineers ensure compliance with industry standards, safety regulations, and project specifications.

What are the typical responsibilities of a rail design engineer on a project team?

As a Rail Design Engineer, your primary responsibilities include developing detailed rail track layouts, preparing technical drawings and specifications, and conducting feasibility and safety analyses to support rail infrastructure projects. You’ll work closely with civil engineers, drafters, construction managers, and sometimes government agencies or railway operators to integrate various technical requirements and ensure compliance with safety standards. Daily tasks often involve reviewing site data, attending project meetings, contributing to design reviews, and resolving engineering challenges as they arise. This collaborative environment allows you to directly impact major transit projects and provides valuable experience for career advancement in transportation engineering.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a rail design engineer, and why are they important?

A Rail Design Engineer should possess a solid background in civil or mechanical engineering, transportation systems, and structural analysis, usually with a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with industry-standard design software (such as AutoCAD, MicroStation, or Bentley Rail Track), and knowledge of applicable regulatory standards are essential. Strong problem-solving, communication, and project management skills enable successful collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders. These abilities are crucial for ensuring safe, efficient, and innovative rail infrastructure solutions from concept to completion.

What are popular job titles related to Rail Design Engineer jobs in Washington?

For Rail Design Engineer jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Rail Design Engineer jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Rail Design Engineer jobs in Washington are:

Rail Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Rail Design Engineer job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 78% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $119,416 per year, or $57.4 per hour.

Office Engineer - Rail

Alexandria, VA • On-site

Michael Baker International, Inc.
Real Estate • 5 - 10K employees

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Based on 19 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

40th of 450 rated engineering

Great coworkers

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Learn more about Michael Baker International, Inc.external

$84K - $110K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 19 days ago

Job description


Rail and Transit Practice
Whether moving people or freight, future rail and transit solutions will be shaped by energy costs, urban growth, and environmental priorities. Michael Baker helps freight railroads, transit authorities, and state DOTs address these challenges through services focused on state of good repair, capacity, safety, asset management, and sustainable infrastructure solutions. By partnering closely with our clients, we deliver innovative, practical, and cost-effective solutions that support the successful delivery of complex rail and transit projects.
What We're Looking For:
Michael Baker is adding an Office Engineer to our Rail & Transit team in Alexandria, VA! In this role, you will support the planning, design, and delivery of rail infrastructure projects by applying your professional engineering judgment to develop technically sound solutions and support construction activities, and you will work collaboratively with multidisciplinary Rail design teams, construction staff, public agencies, and railroad stakeholders to help deliver safe, efficient, and high-quality rail projects across all phases of project delivery.
What You'll Do:
  • Perform civil engineering design and technical analysis for rail infrastructure projects, including track, grading, drainage, site civil elements, and structural interfaces
  • Prepare and review engineering plans, specifications, technical reports, and cost estimates
  • Coordinate with project managers, designers, construction managers, and inspectors throughout design and construction phases
  • Support permitting and regulatory compliance efforts in accordance with federal, state, and local requirements
  • Apply railroad and transit standards, including AREMA, FRA, and client-specific guidelines, during project execution
  • Participate in design reviews, constructability reviews, and value engineering efforts
  • Respond to RFIs and provide engineering support during construction
  • Coordinate with railroad operators, transit agencies, utilities, and third-party stakeholders
  • Help ensure that designs and construction support activities meet safety, quality, schedule, and budget objectives
  • Maintain organized and accurate project documentation throughout the project lifecycle

What You Need to Succeed:
  • A Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience.
  • A minimum of 6 years professional civil engineering experience supporting rail infrastructure initiatives and projects (preferably for freight rail, commuter rail, light rail, or transit systems)
  • Experience preparing engineering plans, specifications, and technical documentation
  • A strong understanding of civil design principles and construction methods
  • Excellent communication, coordination, problem-solving and client-facing skills
  • Ability to manage multiple tasks and work collaboratively in a team environment

Compensation:
The approximate compensation range for this position is $84,000-$110,000 per year. 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.
Why Choose Us:
  • Medical, dental, vision insurance
  • 401k Retirement Plan
  • Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
  • Life, AD&D, short-term, and long-term disability
  • Professional and personal development
  • Generous paid time off
  • Commuter and wellness benefits

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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