Assistant Group Manager, Track & Yard (Civil Engineering)

Our employee-owned and integrated team of multi-disciplined design and engineering professionals has an exciting new opportunity available for an experienced transportation/civil engineer who has a passion for leading and developing others and progressive experience designing and managing various intermodal and track design projects.

As an Assistant Group Manager (AGM), a key responsibility will be to coach, mentor, and develop a talented group of emerging civil engineering and construction professionals to provide design and construction administration services on track and yard infrastructure projects and capital improvement programs for Class I and short line railroads, rail transit and commuter agencies, and industrial projects throughout the country. Furthermore, your responsibility will be to advocate for and promote a safety-first culture that prioritizes the well-being of employees, whether they are in the office or on active project sites.  

With insight on our strategic and annual business plan, you will engage with your team members to outline development plans and establish obtainable goals that further their professional growth and align with TKDA business performance objectives. Through recurring discussions with each team member, you will provide guidance on outlining design requirements and strategies, address design and construction challenges, coach on project management practices, and delegate tasks and assignments that further develop their technical capabilities and proficiencies. 

In collaboration with the Track & Yard Group Manager and Market Managers, you will determine project assignments and assemble project teams, conduct quality reviews in accordance with applicable standards, review project scope and fee estimates, and facilitate design coordination efforts with other disciplines. With insight on design requirements and trends within the rail sector, you will be responsible for further enhancing and expanding the design capabilities and expertise of team members.

From a design capacity, you may assume the role of lead engineer, conduct QA/QC reviews, and be responsible for mentoring / guiding others on design tasks. In addition, you may assume the role of project manager as appropriate for medium to large projects and be responsible for evaluating the overall project scope and design strategy, coordinating project and deliverable schedules, and ensuring successful project execution from conception through construction. You may also contribute to proposal development efforts for project pursuits or prospective client outreach / engagement.

For this opportunity, we are seeking a qualified professional who resides within a regular commuting distance of our Bloomington, MN or Downers Grove, IL office locations and who has the ability to travel regionally or nationally based on project assignments and responsibilities. TKDA provides employees with flexible hybrid (3 days in office, 2 days remote) work arrangements. 

• Registered Professional Engineer with five to fifteen years of progressive technical design with an emphasis on public agency involvement and track design, including mainline, yard, siding, intermodal, and industrial service tracks.
• Prior multi-disciplined project management experience with a demonstrated ability to effectively manage client expectations, project scope, fee estimates, budgets, and schedules; working knowledge of the project development process including coordination with other disciplines from preliminary design through construction.
• Demonstrated commitment to promoting and advancing a culture of safety excellence that emphasizes employee training, project / site risk assessment and mitigation, and strict adherence to all internal and external safety policies, requirements, and regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to apply effective written and verbal communication and presentation skills when coaching / mentoring employees, managing project teams, developing proposals, preparing technical reports and documentation, conducting project interviews, facilitating team / project meetings, and engaging in discussions related to business operations.
• Flexibility to work extended hours and travel up to 25% to conduct on-site consultations, lead or participate in project meetings, attend business development and industry events, and visit other TKDA offices. 
• Familiarity with railroad and/or transit agency operations along with rules and regulations regarding project delivery, environmental requirements, and permitting.
• Familiarity with AREMA design standards and requirements.
• Possession of a valid Driver’s License with a driving record that meets company requirements.

• Registered as a Professional Engineer in additional / multiple states.
• Prior business development experience, including preparation of proposals and fee estimates, and delivery of capabilities presentations.
• Prior experience designing and/or managing infrastructure projects or capital improvement programs for Class I railroad, transit, or public works agencies.
• Active AREMA member.
• Working knowledge of Civil3D, Microstation, and/or InRail.

**Important Note**: To be considered for this opportunity and to perform the assigned responsibilities, candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States, possess a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record, and have the ability to travel frequently throughout the country for project assignments. Upon acceptance and as a condition of employment, the selected candidate will be required to complete a standard pre-employment background screening, which consists of Social Security verification, educational verification, review of criminal convictions, and driving history. Candidates must also be able to complete and pass any drug testing requests required by TKDA, clients, and applicable state and/or federal agencies.

Join Our 100% Employee-Owned Firm

At our company, every employee is an owner. From the front desk to the corner office, every one of our 430+ professionals thrive on collaboration and holistic development. Our success is collective, and so are the rewards.

Comprehensive Benefits

Health Benefits: Enjoy medical, dental, vision, and life insurance from day one

Annual Incentive Plan: Eligible for discretionary bonuses

HSA Contributions: Receive monthly employer contributions if you choose an HSA-eligible plan

401(k) Match: Get employer matching on your 401(k) deferrals

ESOP: Benefit from our Employee Stock Ownership Plan, funded entirely by company profits

Paid Time Off: Accrue PTO based on your professional experience and enjoy eight paid holidays per year

Upon receiving a formal offer, you will get a personalized Total Compensation Overview (TCO) to see how everything adds up and what it looks like to be part of our community.

*Pre-Employment Screening*

Upon acceptance of a conditional offer of employment, the selected candidate will be required to complete a standard pre-employment background screening, which consists of Social Security verification, educational verification, review of criminal convictions, and driving history.

*Notice to Recruiters and Placement Agencies*

TKDA will not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or placement agencies unless a service agreement is in place. In the event TKDA receives an unsolicited resume without a service agreement in place, TKDA will not be obligated to pay a service fee of any amount nor will TKDA be held liable to terms or conditions under any agreement of any kind that has not been authorized in writing by a TKDA officer.