Principal Project Manager - Mechanical & Fire Life Safety - 90364949 - New York

Date:  May 29, 2026
Location: 

New York, NY, US, 10119

Company:  Amtrak

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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.

 

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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

This position will plan and manage work for Amtrak’s delivery of the $16+ Billion Hudson Tunnel as part of the Gateway Program. This position will manage project execution teams to deliver high quality assets safely and effectively within the approved scope, schedule, and budget. The individual in this role will use advanced knowledge of tunnel ventilation, mechanical engineering, and fire-life safety (FLS) systems to support delivery of the Hudson Tunnel Project (HTP) Systems and Fit-Out. The Principal Project Manager – Mechanical & Fire Life Safety is a key member of the greater HTP Systems and Fit-Out team who will manage engineering, construction, and commissioning of multiple ventilation facilities and guideway infrastructure for HTP. This work spans across engineering disciplines, construction interfaces, and includes multiple technologies, geographies, and assets. The role requires regular analytical and metrics-based reporting to Directors, Executives, and stakeholders in close coordination with Amtrak Engineering Services, consultants, contractors, vendors, and other stakeholders.

Essential Functions

• Coordinate across multiple project teams, vendors and assets to ensure timely and cost-effective sequencing and execution of critical path milestones across several inter-dependent project activities.
• Support the formation of Contractor bid documents for delivery of tunnel ventilation and FLS work 
• Plan for and manage testing and commissioning of FLS systems
• Manage interfaces between HTP infrastructure and Amtrak’s overall FLS supervisory control systems
• Work closely with the Engineer of Record (EOR) and Contractor to maintain adherence to Amtrak requirements
• Resolve technical issues without compromising technical requirements or program objectives
• Identify and manage assessment of changes to scope, schedule and budget through the appropriate Program governance approval mechanisms
• Mentor and coach junior level Project Management staff and matrixed team members
• Identify and evaluate the risks associated with program execution and work across organizations to establish and monitor mitigation plans
• Develop and maintain required program management artifacts and ensure that all projects have appropriate project management artifacts and processes in accordance with Amtrak Project Management standards and applicable regulations
• Direct and supervise assigned project management, technical and operational resources to conduct detailed level planning overall program schedule and its milestone activities in accordance with the established scope, budget and schedule constraints, and in alignment with mission and the goals of Amtrak
• Identify, manage and mitigate inter-project and cross-organizational dependencies and risks by developing and implementing long-term goals and objectives and facilitating appropriate executive escalation and decision support processes.
• Provide performance reports and other relevant analytics to the program stakeholders
• Ensure program adherence to the Amtrak Program Management methods and governance standards

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, construction management, or a closely related field (equivalent combination of training, education and relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree)
PLUS
• 9+ years of relevant experience preferred
• 7 years of prior relevant experience required

Preferred Qualifications

• Working with or as the EOR in the construction phase of a major transportation infrastructure project 
• Testing & commissioning tunnel ventilation infrastructure and associated control systems
• Interpreting fire life safety codes/standards as applicable to rail infrastructure and facilities
• Safety assurance in design, construction, and testing of major infrastructure projects
• Working in an active railroad environment
• In-depth knowledge of tunnel ventilation and life-safety systems design principles
• Professional Engineer's (PE) License
• CMAA Certified Construction Manager (CCM) and/or PMI Project Management Professional (PMP) credential 
• Advanced Degree

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong analytical, mathematical, and creative problem-solving skills
• Strong listening, interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills
• Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks while under pressure
• Strong project and program management skills
• Superb communication and stakeholder management skills with focus on collaboration and team building 
• Effectiveness working diplomatically across teams with varying objectives.
• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Visio, PowerPoint, MS Project)

The salary/hourly range is $113,200.00 – $146,664.00. 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:166612

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.