Principal Technologist - Philadelphia PA, Seattle WA, Chicago IL - 90407283

Date:  Mar 17, 2026
Location: 

Philadelphia, PA, US, 19104 Seattle, WA, US, 98134 Chicago, IL, US, 60607 Washington, DC, US, 20002

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

 

Work Environment: Work will be onsite in Washington DC, Philaddelphia, PA or Wilmington, DE.  Requests for remote work will be reviewed, not guaranteed.

 

The Principal Technologist will work independently or on multiple projects as a project team member, occasionally as a project leader. Works on small to large complex support activities/projects that require increased skill in multiple technical environments and knowledge of one or more specific technical products (Hardware and/or Software). The position may be responsible for coordinating and managing the administrative work to support daily IT operations, end user and customer support. Works with Project managers to support the process flow, delivery and execution of all Network Services projects. Support the resolution of all issues related to these systems.  

Essential Functions

  • Troubleshoot and evaluate existing systems, applications, and networks, proposing solutions against decision criteria.
  • Coordinate and resolve escalated support issues from senior personnel or service providers, providing technical guidance.
  • Offer technical expertise across business functions, identifying opportunities for process improvement through technology.
  • Provides project managers with technical consultation and advice, enabling quick response to inquiries related to the program/project.
  • Provides technical analyses to help define assess and monitor technical aspects of the program/project or services.
  • Reviews proposed designs at key milestones and approves additional efforts.
  • Lead efforts to troubleshoot existing information systems or networks to identify errors or deficiencies.
  • Leads the resolution of support issues escalated by senior operations, development personnel or service provider personnel.
  • Identifies opportunities to improve business processes via new technologies.
  • Evaluates, tests, recommends, and implements specific network solutions.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent combination of education, training and/or relevant experience. 
  • Plus 7 years of relevant work experience.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of computing environments including VM, Windows, network operations centers, storage solutions and Network monitoring solutions.
  • Capable of working with internal and external departments to ensure capabilities and requirements of network and infrastructure are met.
  • Demonstrated technical management knowledge in the areas of Integrated Systems Management, Network Performance Optimization, Network Access and IP Management, Virtual Private Network, Wireless and Mobile Technologies
  • 24/7 Environment with a rotating schedule for coverage.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent combination of education, training and/or relevant experience. 
  • Plus 9 years of relevant work experience in Network Infrastructure & other related IT areas
  • Network Plus Certification
  • CCNA

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills; collaborative team player; self-motivated
  • Advanced knowledge of relevant technologies, systems, and methodologies; stays updated on emerging trends
  • Skilled in analyzing complex technical issues, making sound decisions, and implementing effective problem resolution strategies
  • Knowledge (SNOW) Servicenow, Github and Jira is A plus 

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. In addition to your salary, Amtrak offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes health, dental, and vision plans; health savings accounts; wellness programs; flexible spending accounts; 401K retirement plan with employer match; life insurance; short and long term disability insurance; paid time off; back-up care; adoption assistance; surrogacy assistance; reimbursement of education expenses; Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility; Railroad Retirement sickness and retirement benefits; and rail pass privileges. Learn more about our benefits offerings here.

 

Requisition ID:166227

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.