Principal Applications Engineer

Date:  May 15, 2026
Location: 

Washington, DC, US, 20001 Wilmington, DE, US, 19801 Philadelphia, PA, US, 19104

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

Lead complex projects, offering expertise and technical direction, serving as an escalation point. Oversee system analysis, design, development, integration, and enhancements, as well as day-to-day system enhancement and development for the company. Demonstrate proficiency in various areas such as Cloud technology, middleware/DB platforms, networking, packaged applications, system integration, or software development. Areas of responsibility includes, but not limited to, AWS integrations between F&B ecosystem and other peripheral systems, such as, finance, reporting, etc., Microsoft Dynamics 365 F&O Commerce system administration, DevSecOps for entire F&B ecosystem. Handle change requests, Tier-3 ticket resolution, platform monitoring, performance tuning, and application testing. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure technical solutions align with business goals, IT strategies, and architectural standards.

Essential Functions

  • Lead systems development with a focus on clear requirements, documented methodology, and robust testing.
  • Develop and maintain AWS, .NET, and X++ applications and integrations.
  • Develop and maintain Payment (PCI DSS) APIs.
  • Perform Microsoft Dynamics 365 F&O Administration activities, such as, user onboarding/offboarding and store creation.
  • Integrate and work on large Data Lakes to develop reporting and analytics dashboards.
  • Develop and document requirements and technical specifications according to established methodologies.
  • Consult with various stakeholders during development planning, taking the lead on technical issues.
  • Create technical solutions for defined requirements, including infrastructure, platform, and system development.
  • Ensure alignment with industry and company standards, adheres to quality procedures, and provides ongoing maintenance and oversight.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent combination of education, training and/or relevant experience. 
  • Plus 7 years of relevant work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent combination of education, training and/or relevant experience. 
  • Plus 9 years of relevant work experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Experience in systems development and analysis, and managing third-party/vendor technical teams and resources
  • Strong experience in development of AWS, .NET, X++ applications and integrations
  • Proven experience in developing reports and dashboards in Microsoft Power BI
  • Strong experience integrating data into Data Lakes (Databricks, AWS, etc.)
  • Strong experience working with complex data to develop analytics, reports and dashboards
  • Broad understanding of information systems, architecture, and integration standards and mastery of multiple programming languages, infrastructure components, or technology platforms
  • Focus on business goals while ensuring timely development
  • Ability to work effectively under deadlines and in a flexible environment
  • In-depth knowledge of business operations and systems requirements processes, applying technical solutions to meet business needs
  • Adaptable communication skills to translate between technical and business language
  • Educating project team members on business unit goals and guiding junior resources
  • Identifying and proposing business and IT solutions, interpreting documents communicating business and IT needs
  • Assessing client needs and identifying opportunities for business development through technology
  • Excellent troubleshooting skills

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:166503

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.