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Rail Planning Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Transit Planner

New York, NY · On-site +1

$95K - $142K/yr

The successful candidate will have experience with (two or more) of the following: transit service development, bus network redesigns, bus priority/BRT planning, rail planning studies, tactical ...

Intermodal (rail) planning/operations preferred * Basic knowledge of company's various business operations * Excellent communication and interpersonal skills * Organized, detail oriented, and ability ...

Senior Transit Planner

Philadelphia, PA · On-site +1

$95K - $142K/yr

The successful candidate will have experience with (two or more) of the following: transit service development, bus network redesigns, bus priority/BRT planning, rail planning studies, tactical ...

Intermodal (rail) planning/operations preferred * Basic knowledge of company's various business operations * Excellent communication and interpersonal skills * Organized, detail oriented, and ability ...

Senior Transit Planner

New York, NY · On-site

$95K - $142K/yr

The successful candidate will have experience with (two or more) of the following: transit service development, bus network redesigns, bus priority/BRT planning, rail planning studies, tactical ...

Define the complete board power architecture, including rail planning, power budgeting, sequencing, and power-state or power-mode design for FPGAs, SoCs, memory, and peripheral loads. * Design DC-DC ...

This role will support rail projects from planning and feasibility through final design and construction, working closely with project managers, technical staff, clients, and field personnel to ...

This role will support rail projects from planning and feasibility through final design and construction, working closely with project managers, technical staff, clients, and field personnel to ...

This role will support rail projects from planning and feasibility through final design and construction, working closely with project managers, technical staff, clients, and field personnel to ...

Rail Engineer

Fort Worth, TX · On-site

$60K - $90K/yr

This role will support rail projects from planning and feasibility through final design and construction, working closely with project managers, technical staff, clients, and field personnel to ...

This role will support rail projects from planning and feasibility through final design and construction, working closely with project managers, technical staff, clients, and field personnel to ...

Showing results 41-60

Rail Planning information

See salary details

$56K

$103.2K

$157K

How much do rail planning jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for rail planning in the United States is $103,218.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,500.00 and $116,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is rail planning?

Rail planning involves the strategic design, development, and management of railway systems to ensure efficient and safe transportation of passengers and freight. It includes tasks like analyzing current and future transportation needs, route selection, scheduling, and infrastructure development. Rail planners work closely with government agencies, engineering teams, and stakeholders to optimize rail networks and support sustainable growth. The goal is to enhance connectivity, reduce congestion, and support economic development through effective rail solutions.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in rail planning, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in rail planning often encounter challenges such as coordinating with multiple stakeholders, managing complex schedules, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Effective communication and strong project management skills are essential to align the interests of government agencies, contractors, and community groups. Staying updated on the latest industry regulations and leveraging specialized planning software can help streamline processes and mitigate potential conflicts. Collaboration and adaptability are key to successfully navigating the complexities of rail planning projects.

What is the difference between Rail Planning vs Rail Operations?

AspectRail PlanningRail Operations
Primary FocusDesigning and scheduling rail networks, route planning, infrastructure developmentManaging daily train movements, ensuring safety, and operational efficiency
Required SkillsTransportation planning, GIS, project management, regulatory knowledgeOperations management, safety protocols, communication skills
Work EnvironmentOffice-based, planning departments, project sitesTrain yards, control centers, on-site operational areas
CertificationsTransportation planning certifications, civil engineering credentialsSafety certifications, operational licenses

Rail Planning focuses on designing and scheduling rail networks, while Rail Operations manages daily train movements and safety. Both roles are essential in the rail industry but differ in their core responsibilities and work environments.

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

To thrive as a Rail Planner, you need expertise in transportation planning, data analysis, and knowledge of railway systems, often supported by a degree in civil engineering, transportation, or urban planning. Familiarity with GIS software, scheduling tools, and transport modeling systems is typically required. Strong organizational skills, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication set standout professionals apart in this role. These competencies ensure efficient rail operations, optimal resource allocation, and successful stakeholder collaboration in complex transportation projects.
More about Rail Planning jobs
What states have the most Rail Planning jobs? States with the most job openings for Rail Planning jobs include:
Infographic showing various Rail Planning job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $103,218 per year, or $49.6 per hour.

Louisiana Transit Area Market Sector Leader

HDR

Metairie, LA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago


HDR rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Based on 57 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

38th of 443 rated engineering


Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?
Watch Our Story:' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'
Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.
HDR is seeking a Transit Market Sector Leader for the Louisiana Area, who will be responsible for building and expanding our transportation consulting business with transit clients. This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic-minded transit leader motivated by great projects, highly technical teams, and a global platform to tap into an organization with crystal clear strategic plans.
Specifically, this individual will be an integral part of the senior leadership team and will be responsible to develop business, manage and deliver projects, develop staff, and respond to client needs. This is a seller/doer position and requires an individual with a strong character of self-motivation, nimble technical capability, and team leadership.
The primary duty of the Louisiana Transit Market Sector Lead includes responsibility for partnering with regional management to develop and execute transit and rail market strategies. Specific duties include market opportunity assessment, client management, technical and marketing team coordination, staff growth and development, program and project management, and improvement of technical competencies of market sector staff to meet client needs and market drivers.
Additional duties include:
  • Strategic Project and Program Leadership - This position will provide leadership on multi-discipline projects and programs across various market sectors and geographic areas. Strategic projects are anticipated to include programmatic assistance of large capital programs, traditional project execution and delivery as well as alternative delivery. Additional duties include senior technical support, quality oversight, best practice development, project leadership, and principal-level program/project management.
  • Strategic Planning and Program Growth - This position will lead and drive program growth for the transit and freight rail market sectors as well as play an integral role in leading strategic growth across the region. Additional duties include supporting internal and external client relationships, recruiting and staff development, and major pursuit coordination. This position also encompasses supporting capture planning efforts, pre-proposal visitations, proposal preparation coordination with technical and marketing staff, presentations, and negotiations.

• Global Transit Market Sector Program - This position will assist the Global Transit Market Sector Director in setting and executing the vision to expand services and win contracts from a global perspective.
The Transit Market Sector Leader will report to the Area Transportation Business Group Manager. In addition, the Leader will work closely with HDR's Area and global transportation technical (business class) leaders in a collaborative team environment.
*LI-MR1
Keyword(s): #; Transportation, transit engineering, transit planning, civil engineer, rail engineer, rail planning, Manager, Director, Leader
Preferred Qualifications
  • Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, planning or similar related degrees.
  • Minimum of 15 years in leading transit engineering and planning services for major transportation infrastructure development.
  • Experience with major capital programs from planning through design and construction for private, federal, state and local clients.
  • Deep client relationships with transit and rail agencies, or other private entities, in the Louisiana and proven track record of success in this area.
  • Experienced in development and management of strategic marketing programs for the transportation industry.
  • Experienced in development and management of a wide range of client relationships and specific program and/or project pursuits.
  • Proven success managing and mentoring staff.
  • Actively engaged in professional or industry associations to enhance HDR technical expertise and brand

Qualifications
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree in an engineering, planning or a related field
  • A minimum of 10 years of industry experience
  • Experienced in development and management of strategic marketing programs for planning and/or engineering services
  • Experienced in development and management of a wide range of client relationships and specific program and/or project pursuits
  • Experienced in overall staff development to include recruiting, career path and professional growth
  • Experienced with industry associations and maintains a visible profile in the market sector
  • Ability to work cooperatively with Regional Market Sector Directors, Market Sector Directors, Business Class Directors, Regional Business Group Directors, Area Business Group Managers, Area Marketing Managers and Area Managers
  • Demonstrated commitment to HDR values. An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.
Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.
Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

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About HDR

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At HDR, we specialize in engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services. While we are most well-known for adding beauty and structure to communities through high-performance buildings and smart infrastructure, we provide much more than that. We create an unshakable foundation for progress because our multidisciplinary teams also include scientists, economists, builders, analysts and artists.

Industry

Specialized design services

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Omaha, NE, US

Year founded

1917