Sr Program Mgr - CHIP - 90409804 - Chicago

Date:  May 11, 2026
Location: 

Chicago, IL, US, 60606

Company:  Amtrak

Your success is a train ride away!

As we move America’s workforce toward the future, Amtrak connects businesses and communities across the country. We employ more than 20,000 diverse, energetic professionals in a variety of career fields throughout the United States. The safety of our passengers, our employees, the public and our operating environment is our priority, and the success of our railroad is due to our employees.

 

Are you ready to join our team?

Our values of ‘Do the Right Thing, Excel Together and Put Customers First’ are at the heart of what matters most to us, and our Core Capabilities, ‘Building Trust, Accountability, Effective Communication, Customer Focus, and Proactive Safety & Security’ are what every employee needs to know and do to be most impactful at Amtrak. By living the Amtrak values, focusing on our capabilities, and actively embracing and fostering diverse ideas, backgrounds, and perspectives, together we will honor our past and make Amtrak a company of the future.

 

Job Summary

Reporting to the Director of Program Management, the Senior Program Manager serves as Amtrak’s primary owner’s representative for the new maintenance facilities to be built in Chicago.  Primarily focused on the planned-to-be-acquired Canal St. Yard, but also at Amtrak’s existing 14th St. Yard, the position works collaboratively with the Mechanical, Transportation, Real Estate, and Planning teams to ensure that the facilities being built meet Amtrak’s maintenance and operational needs.  
This position also requires ongoing communications with Amtrak Executive Leadership, USDOT/FRA, commuter and freight operators, the Illinois and Chicago Departments of Transportation, Metra, local elected officials, and other internal and external stakeholders to provide information and solicit feedback during the design process.  The role also requires regular analytical and metrics-based reporting to executives and USDOT/FRA.

Essential Functions

• In collaboration with internal stakeholders, monitoring third-party design and engineering meetings and documents to ensure that project plans are in Amtrak’s best interest
• Developing and monitoring key construction/equipment installation milestones at which Amtrak will review progress for quality assurance
• Reviewing and commenting on contractor-submitted change orders and requests for information that would deviate from drawings and specifications previously approved by Amtrak 
• Reporting on project progress to Executive Leadership and USDOT/FRA
• Ensuring that plans for the transition from the 14th St. Yard to the Canal St. Yard are developed such that daily Amtrak, Metra, and freight services are not compromised

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree OR equivalent combination of training, education and relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree

• 9 years of prior relevant experience required

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of design, construction, or railroad operations experience, preferably including projects with high levels of public exposure
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in urban planning, architecture, engineering, construction management, construction administration, real estate, transportation or a related field
• Undergraduate or graduate degree focused on planning, architecture, engineering, construction management, construction administration, real estate, transportation, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education, training and/or experience
• Professional License in a related field (Registered Architect, Professional Engineer, Certified Planner (AICP) etc.)
• Experience with planning and implementing large-scale projects, including multi-year and more than $100 million in project value
• PMP certification or ability to acquire within 12 months of hire
• Experience working on federally funded projects
• Experience working with community groups on projects affecting their neighborhoods
• Experience in the transportation industry
• Experience managing professional service contracts and/or construction contracts

• 11+ years of relevant experience preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Master at building consensus among internal and external stakeholders with diverse interests, in both the public and private sectors
• Highly motivated and self-directed
• Able to exercise independent judgment and act on it
• Strong project and program management skills
• Excellent analytical, mathematical, and creative problem-solving skills
• Excellent listening, interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills
• Logical and efficient, with keen attention to detail
• Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks while under pressure
• Experience working within complex organizational structures
• Ability to facilitate governance, project reviews, steering and other project related meetings
• Demonstrated managerial experience with third party architectural, engineering, and/or construction consultants
• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Visio, PowerPoint, MS Project)

The salary/hourly range is $135,800.00 – $176,040.00. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, etc. Depending on an employee’s assigned worksite or location, Amtrak may consider a geo-pay differential to be applied to the employee’s base salary. Amtrak may offer additional incentive and pay programs to recognize and reward our employees, including a short-term incentive bonus based upon factors such as individual and company performance that is commensurate with the level of the position. 

 

Health and Wellbeing Financial and Retirement Work and Family Life Support
Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance 401K with Employer Match Generous Paid Time Off 
Wellness Programs Railroad Retirement Benefits Paid Caregiving Days and Backup Care
Health Savings Account Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Fertility and Family Building Benefits
No-cost Personal Health Advocate Student Loan Assistance Adoption and Surrogacy Assistance
Medical Plan Opt-out Credit Tuition and Education Reimbursement Paid Family Leave
  Life Insurance Rail Pass Privileges
  Short- and Long-term Disability Insurance Employee Assistance Program
  No-cost Financial Advisor Sessions Commuter and Flexible Spending Accounts

Learn more about our benefits offerings here.

 

Requisition ID:166497

Work Arrangement:06-Onsite 4/5 Days Click here for more information about work arrangements at Amtrak.
Relocation Offered:No
Travel Requirements:Up to 25%

You power our progress through your performance.

We want your work at Amtrak to be more than a job. We want your career at Amtrak to be a fulfilling experience where you find challenging work, rewarding opportunities, respect among colleagues, and attractive compensation. Amtrak maintains a culture that values high performance and recognizes individual employee contributions.


Amtrak is committed to a safe workplace free of drugs and alcohol. All Amtrak positions requires a pre-employment background check that includes prior employment verification, a criminal history check and a pre-employment drug screen.

Candidates who test positive for marijuana will be disqualified, regardless of any state or local statute, ordinance, regulation, or other law that legalizes or decriminalizes the use or possession of marijuana, whether for medical, recreational, or other use. Amtrak's pre-employment drug testing program is administered in accordance with DOT regulations and applicable law.


In accordance with DOT regulations (49 CFR § 40.25), Amtrak is required to obtain prior drug and alcohol testing records for applicants/employees intending to perform safety-sensitive duties for covered Department of Transportation positions. If an applicant/employee refuses to provide written consent for Amtrak to obtain these records, the individual will not be permitted to perform safety-sensitive functions.

 

In accordance with federal law governing security checks of covered individuals for providers of public transportation (Title 6 U.S.C. §1143), Amtrak is required to screen applicants for any permanent or interim disqualifying criminal offenses.


Note that any education requirement listed above may be deemed satisfied if you have an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.


Amtrak is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race/color, to include traits historically associated with race, including but not limited to, hair texture and hairstyles such as braids, locks and twists, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions, such as lactation), national origin/ethnicity, disability (intellectual, mental and physical), veteran status, marital status, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, genetic information, citizenship or any other personal characteristics protected by law.