Project Manager, Engineering & Construction (Richmond or Alexandria, VA)

Company: Virginia Passenger Rail Authority
Location: Richmond
Posted on: February 21, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) is a political subdivision established by Chapter 1230 of the 2020 Acts of Assembly. VPRA is responsible for promoting, sustaining, and expanding the availability of passenger and commuter rail services in the Commonwealth, including all administrative and fiduciary responsibilities for Virginia's state-supported passenger rail services. The VPRA also funds Virginia Railway Express (VRE) and administers all capital expansion projects, infrastructure, and land acquisitions related to the $3.7 billion Transforming Rail in Virginia initiative, which will double Amtrak and VRE service in Virginia over the next decade. The VPRA acts as a "responsible public entity" for the acquisition, construction, improvement, maintenance, or operation, or any combination thereof, of a "qualifying transportation facility" under the Public­ Private Partnership Act of 1995. Are you a civil engineer looking for your next opportunity? Do you have a background in rail? If so, VPRA is looking for you! The Engineering & Construction Team is looking for a Project Manager tasked with planning and executing existing work and developing new projects by ensuring on-schedule and within-budget completion, following VPRA's contractual obligations. This position will develop the scope and technical sections of proposal and procurement documents, participate in contract negotiations, and oversee the delivery of the project plan as assigned in support of the multi-billion dollar Transforming Rail in Virginia program of projects throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. In addition to solid project management skills, the keys to success in this position will be strong organizational and planning skills, knowledge of design and construction, the ability to monitor deliverables for adherence to client criteria, and execution of all business, technical, fiscal, and administrative functions. The Project Manager may also provide oversight support for projects implemented by Amtrak, CSXT, Norfolk Southern (NS), and the Virginia Railway Express (VRE). This position may be based in Richmond or Alexandria, Virginia. Responsibilities Under the direction of the Senior Director of Projects, the Project Manager will: Lead the oversight of all activities associated with projects throughout Virginia, which involves coordination with CSXT, NS, VRE, Amtrak, and Federal, State, and local entities, including right-of-way and utilities. Establish and oversee contracts with project support (GEC) and engineering and construction contractors while assuming full responsibility for and managing the project's budget, schedule, quality, and safety. Develop reports of project schedules and budgets and project updates/status reports for reporting to the Senior Director of Projects, the COO, and the CEO for VPRA as required. Develop project scopes, fees, and schedules for design contracts. Establish and maintain schedules and deadlines, holding self, stakeholders, and teams accountable to the set budgets and schedules. Lead projects from planning, development, design, and construction, including construction management and quality, as well as project close-out and post-implementation phases. Employ an understanding of rail and transit operations, including the environmental review process, to develop solutions with the support of the Director of Planning. Ensure all project deliverables are complete and coordinated through quality reviews in compliance with VPRA's quality program. Support VPRA's Mission and the Commonwealth at large via our Transforming Rail in Virginia Program Demonstrate a track record of success in leading and implementing similar railroad and transit projects with the following clientele: WMATA, VRE, Amtrak, Class 1 freight owners, and similar entities. Review, monitor, and understand architectural design and operational information and present and review this information with staff, management, and stakeholders. Occasional statewide travel may be required for project-related tasks and nationally for conferences. Required Education: BS/BA degree in a related field Preferred Education: Professional engineering license in Virginia or the ability to obtain one within six months of hire. Project Management Professional (PMP) Required Experience: A minimum of 10 years of direct, relevant project management experience leading multi-million-dollar infrastructure Projects in the Transportation industry, preferably Rail Transit, Freight Rail, or Passenger Rail. Experience with engineering and design activities for passenger rail projects and familiarity with railroad engineering principles related to track and station elements. Experience managing contractors from procurement through contract close-out. Solid understanding of heavy civil/structural engineering principles and construction practices, and experience applying them to achieve successful project outcomes. Ability to read, interpret, and understand engineering drawings and specifications, including geotechnical, grading/drainage, trackwork, structures, electrical, signalization, stormwater management, and sediment/erosion control. Ability to perform independent, detailed reviews of technical and engineering documents, including plans, specifications, submittals, schedules, budgets, contract documents, and official correspondence, and respond to the same as appropriate. Ability to conduct independent research into engineering-related matters, prepare reports, present findings, and make recommendations. Ability to provide engineering and project management support on several projects simultaneously. Ability to work collaboratively with a project team to achieve stated goals and objectives. Knowledge of procurement methodology and experience developing the technical portions of procurement documents. Proficiency in MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Internet Explorer, MS Project, Bluebeam Revu, and other project management tools. Ability to communicate verbally effectively and efficiently, and in writing, to support board meetings, public meetings, and internal management requirements. Knowledge of federal, state, and local transportation policies, funding, and legislative and regulatory requirements related to freight and rail Projects, including 49 CFR, Subtitle B, Ch. II and AREMA guidelines. Preferred Experience: Familiarity with MS SharePoint, Primavera P6 scheduling (or comparable system), and enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. Direct experience leading the design and construction of passenger and commuter rail infrastructure. Relevant design, construction, and operations experience with Class 1 railroads, specifically CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern Corporation. Active membership and participation in AREMA as a Committee Member on one or more of AREMA's technical committees or similar experience. Are you interested in this position, but you don't meet every single requirement? At VPRA, we are dedicated to building a talented team and an inclusive, authentic workplace. So, if you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be the right candidate for this or other positions. Applicants must fully and accurately represent their qualifications and work history on the application or resume. The decision to interview an applicant is based on the information in the application, resume, or other relevant documents; therefore, applicants must supply detailed information. Submitting an incomplete application/resume or an application/resume lacking in detail may impact your interview eligibility. This website will confirm receipt when the application is submitted successfully. Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities during the application and interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. VETERANS, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, AMERICORPS, PEACE CORPS, AND OTHER NATIONAL SERVICE ALUMNI ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. Equal Opportunity Employer

Keywords: Virginia Passenger Rail Authority, Virginia Beach , Project Manager, Engineering & Construction (Richmond or Alexandria, VA), Engineering , Richmond, Virginia