Sr Dir Ops Research & Analysis - 90206812 - Washington

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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
The Senior Director, Operations Research & Analytics, reporting to AVP Operational Planning within the Operations department, leads the development and application of advanced analytical, optimization, and decision-support methods to improve the safety, reliability, efficiency, and financial performance of Amtrak operations. This role provides strategic leadership for operations research (OR), data science, and advanced analytics initiatives across service planning, network operations, asset utilization, capacity management, and customer experience. The Senior Director partners with executive leadership and cross-functional teams to translate complex analytical insights into actionable strategies and operational improvements, driving initiatives from opportunity identification through to implementation of quantitatively impactful changes to operations

Essential Functions
· Collaborates with Operations (Mechanical, Transportation, IMCS, Stations and Customer Service, Network Operations), Finance, Safety, Digital Technology, and Customer Experience to identify, develop, and deploy operations research solutions to support business needs, improve operating margin, and self-fund the group. 
· Evaluates and deploys emerging technologies, analytical platforms, and advanced analytical techniques including but not limited to mathematical optimization, simulation, data mining, forecasting, and stochastic modeling to deliver transformative change. 
· Develops and oversees models for crew and equipment assignment optimization, fleet utilization, maintenance planning, and disruption recovery. 
· Establishes modeling standards, data governance, and best practices for analytical rigor and transparency. 
· Builds and mentors a high-performing team of operations research analysts and data scientist

Minimum Qualifications
· Bachelor's degree in Operations Research, Industrial Engineering or similarly technical engineering discipline, or Project Management. 
· At least ten years in a project leading role. 
· Any suitable combination of education, training and experience is acceptable.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
· Expert-level knowledge of OR methodologies—optimization, simulation, forecasting, stochastic modeling, and decision analysis—with demonstrated ability to select and apply the right techniques for operational decision support. 
· Proven understanding of transportation or network-based operations (preferably passenger rail), including service planning and operational planning contexts where analytical solutions directly impact safety, reliability, and performance. 
· Extensive experience building and deploying optimization models using commercial/open-source solvers (e.g., Gurobi, CPLEX, Xpress, COIN-OR), including linear/nonlinear programming, meta-heuristics, and network flow algorithms. 
· Strong working knowledge of R/SAS/Python/SQL and experience with enterprise reporting and visualization tools such as Tableau and SAP Business Objects (BOBJ). 
· Hands-on experience with discrete-event and/or agent-based simulation and tools such as AnyLogic, Simio, or Arena. 
· Demonstrated success leading teams and cross-functional initiatives, including complex, multi-year programs from concept through implementation with measurable operational/financial impact. 
· Ability to synthesize complex analytical results and deliver clear, actionable recommendations to senior leaders and diverse stakeholders through effective writing, presentations, and facilitation. 
· Prior OR leadership experience in passenger rail (preferred), transit, aviation, or other network-based transportation/logistics environments.

Preferred Experience, Education or Qualifications
· Master’s or PhD in Operations Research, Industrial Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a related field. 
· Experience in passenger rail, public transportation, or large regulated infrastructure organizations. 
· 15 years of relevant work experience.

The salary/hourly range is $187,500.00 – $242,892.00. 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 and/or long-term incentive plan compensation. 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:166130

Work Arrangement:06-Onsite 4/5 Days Click here for more information about work arrangements at Amtrak.
Relocation Offered:Yes
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.