[Hiring] Director of Engineering Services @American Rail Engineers Corporation

Role Description

OMNI is honored to partner with American Rail Engineers Corporation (ARE) in the search for a collaborative and experienced Director of Engineering Services to lead and grow ARE’s structural engineering practice. As the leader of the Engineering Services team, you will provide strategic direction, ensure technical excellence, and oversee the successful delivery of complex engineering projects from proposal through completion.

• Serve as a trusted resource advisor on challenging structural engineering issues.
• Guide quality assurance and quality control efforts.
• Strengthen client relationships.
• Mentor engineers as they advance their technical and professional capabilities.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a licensed and experienced railroad bridge engineer to influence the future growth of the practice while remaining engaged in the technical challenges and client partnerships that drive project success.

Responsibilities

• Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, responsible for the leadership, performance, and continued development of the bridge design team.
• Delivering railroad bridge rehabilitation, bridge replacement, culvert, and emergency repair projects for railroad clients across North America.

Leadership & Technical Excellence:

• Lead ARE’s structural design team in load rating, rehabilitation, replacement, and emergency repair design for railroad bridges, culverts, and related structures.
• Establish the direction of and execute the plan for the structural design team.
• Ensure design standards, AREMA Chapters 7, 8, and 15, client design criteria, and ARE procedures are communicated and enforced.
• Lead the team in on-time delivery of calculations, drawings, specifications, and reports.
• Ensure quality through a QA/QC program, including independent checks of calculations and drawings.
• Directly supervise the CAD Lead in the development of drawing standards, templates, and production.
• Coordinate with the Director of Bridge Management Services on load ratings and repairs.
• Coordinate with the Director of Environmental Services for environmental compliance and project permitting.

Team Development & People Leadership:

• Lead, mentor, and develop engineers, project managers, technicians, and CAD professionals.
• Set performance expectations for team members and conduct regular performance reviews.
• Communicate project forecasting, assign work, and balance team capacity.
• Mentor engineers toward engineer in training (EIT) and PE licensure.

Project Delivery & Client Management:

• Oversee project execution to ensure deliverables are completed on schedule, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.
• Prepare proposals, scopes of work, project budgets, fee estimates, and staffing plans.
• Serve as Engineer of Record where licensed and pursue additional licensure as needed.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with railroad clients and industry partners.
• Identify opportunities to expand services and contribute to business growth.
• Collaborate with company leadership to pursue new clients and strategic opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related field.
• 12+ years of structural engineering experience, including significant experience with railroad bridge design.
• Minimum 3 years of experience leading engineers and technical project teams.
• Active Professional Engineer (PE) license in at least one state.
• Strong understanding of structural analysis, mechanics of materials, and AREMA design standards.
• Proficiency with structural analysis and design software such as RISA, MathCAD, L-Pile, or similar tools.
• Demonstrated ability to provide sound engineering judgment and develop practical solutions.
• Experience managing project budgets, schedules, scopes, and technical deliverables.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and support professional development.
• Experience building and maintaining client relationships.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities.
• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite.
• Willingness to travel quarterly for project site visits and client meetings.
• Ability to pass pre-employment and ongoing drug and alcohol testing.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package commensurate with experience.
• Work on impactful infrastructure projects that promote sustainability.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Community involvement and volunteering opportunities.
• Medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with match, short-term and long-term disability and life insurance.
• Generous paid time off and sick leave policy.
• Flexible remote work in the US, with an office in Overland Park, KS.