Sr Principal Engineer Tunnels SME - 90333627 - Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA, US, 19104
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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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Job Summary
The Sr. Principal Engineer – Tunnels serves as a subject matter expert (SME) in the design, construction, quality management, commissioning, operation, inspection, and maintenance of new and existing railroad tunnels and overbuild structures. The role also supports related infrastructure, including adjacent bridges, stations, buildings, retaining walls, and other structures/facilities. As an SME, the Sr. Principal Engineer – Tunnels reviews project designs and collaborates with internal teams, engineering firms, contractors, and other external stakeholders. The role also involves close coordination with internal partners — including Project Delivery, Law, Real Estate, Transportation, Mechanical (Rolling Stock), and Infrastructure Maintenance and Construction Services—as well as external stakeholders such as local and state agencies, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), and freight and commuter railroads. The incumbent will engage with stakeholders, build consensus, and ensure compliance with Amtrak standards, industry codes, and best practices. This role may also require independently leading design efforts and managing engineering consultants from project inception through completion. Reporting to the Engineering Director – Tunnels, this position plays a key role in establishing and maintaining technical standards for Amtrak’s tunnel assets. The Sr. Principal Engineer is expected to act with delegated authority in the Director’s absence and apply a strategic mindset to project decision-making, management, and execution.
Essential Functions
- Oversee and provide direction for all technical matters as design progresses from concept through delivery on multiple projects in parallel.
- Ensure project compliance with Amtrak standards and guidelines and all applicable federal/state/regional regulatory agency requirements. Ensure alignment with project scope and limitations.
- Work with project delivery teams to oversee design consultants and contractors.
- Engage with internal and external stakeholders (including customer service, operations, planning, real estate, engineering, transportation, local and state agencies, FRA, FTA and other partners as required) to determine project needs and priorities – while understanding budget and schedule restraints.
- Review, analyze and report on all project documents, including proposals, reports, schedules, estimates, value engineering proposals, etc.
- Support construction administration activities. Review field installation, RFIs and shop drawings. Assist in punch lists and project closeout activities.
- From time to time, analyze issues, perform research and develop white papers/reports to communicate design strategies, address project issues, issue directives to consultants, project teams, or stakeholders, etc.
- Develop station and facility design standards via collaboration with other Amtrak stakeholders.
- Provide mentorship and delegate experience-appropriate tasks to direct and indirect reports.
- Prioritize safety and security, sustainability, resiliency and customer experience.
- Identify, document, and implement Amtrak’s requirements into projects. Mitigate disagreement through research, partnering and consensus.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Thorough knowledge of building design procedures, building M/E/P systems, building materials and systems, construction procedures and detailing. Proficiency with the design and delivery process from inception through closeout.
- Demonstrated expertise in delivering solutions which integrate the most up-to-date codes and standards into major transportation hubs.
- Working knowledge of rail infrastructure.
- Demonstrated experience with complex building design and construction.
- Working knowledge of specialties impacting design, such as SHPO, NEPA, TVRA, sustainability and resiliency standards, etc.
- Candidates shall have experience on all phases of multiple discipline projects and various contracting strategies including DBB, DB, PDB and CMAR.
- The incumbent shall be capable of building rapport through the utilization of graphic, verbal, written, and other forms of communication.
- Experience with Microsoft Office suite, Primavera or Microsoft Project as well as the ability to be trained and become familiar with Amtrak’s requirements, systems, and software.
- Experience with a range of tunnel construction methods, including Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM), Sequential Excavation Method (SEM), drill and blast, cut-and-cover, and shaft construction.
- Strong geotechnical engineering expertise, including the preparation, review, and application of Geotechnical Baseline Reports (GBRs).
- Develop, an understanding of railroad operations and Fire & Life Safety requirements as they apply to tunnels, overbuild structures, and enclosed stations and facilities.
- Familiarity with general railroad construction, maintenance, and operations is preferred.
- Experience with project delivery methods—such as Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build, and Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR)—is desirable,
- Projects will vary in size and complexity and require collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, including track, electrification, communications and signals, structures, and stations.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree required OR equivalent combination of training, education and relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree. Plus,
- 9 years of relevant experience required
- 11+ years of relevant experience preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- Understanding of railroad business functions, operations, and design and construction processes.
- Previous railroad projects including tunnels and other underground structures/facilities.
- Professional Engineer or Professional Geologist License in one of the States along Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor
- Graduate Degree in related field of study
- 15 years of relevant work experience
- Participation in SME-UCA, ASCE, AREMA and other technical societies.
- Published Papers.
Work Environment
- Due to the nature of an operating railroad environment, some night and weekend work will be required when conducting site visits
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The salary/hourly range is $149,400.00 – $193,644.00. 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:166644
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.
