Americas Rail Vehicle Maintenance Facility Leader

Joining Arup

Arup's purpose, shared values, and collaborative approach has set us apart for over 80 years, guiding how we shape a better world.

The Americas Rail Vehicle Maintenance Facility Leader will provide senior leadership for the successful delivery of Operations and Maintenance Facility South in Seattle while enduring Rail Vehicle Maintenance Facility (VMF) capability across the Americas. Success in this role includes coordinated, compliant VMF design delivered on time and within planned resources; strong, trusted relationships with the contractor and owner; and clear ownership of technical, commercial, and delivery outcomes.

The role will also establish a platform for future growth by strengthening VMF delivery consistency, supporting major rail pursuits where maintenance facilities are critical assets, and developing emerging project and design management leaders within the VMF and rail portfolio.

• Provide senior leadership to large, multidisciplinary Arup and subconsultant teams delivering complex vehicle maintenance facility scope under design‑build and progressive design‑build frameworks.
• Set clear expectations for performance, accountability, and collaboration across design managers, discipline leads, and package managers.
• Foster a strong project culture aligned with Arup values, emphasizing quality, safety, inclusion, and delivery excellence.
• Mentor and develop emerging project, design, and commercial management leaders within the VMF and rail portfolio.
• Identify resourcing needs, support recruitment, and contribute to succession planning as the VMF capability grows across the Americas.
• Provide senior commercial oversight for VMF projects, including scope definition, resourcing strategies, and fee management.
• Identify, assess, and support the capture of scope changes, risks, and opportunities in collaboration with project controls and commercial teams.
• Review and confirm deliverables lists, staffing plans, and program schedules to ensure alignment with contractual requirements.
• Support cost forecasting, change management, and reporting to maintain commercial performance and predictability.
• Contribute to risk and opportunity workshops and ensure commercial considerations are integrated into delivery decisions.
• Build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with transit agencies, contractors, and key stakeholders involved in VMF and rail programs.
• * Act as a senior client‑facing leader for vehicle maintenance facility work, supporting client confidence during delivery and pursuits.*
• Support and, where appropriate, lead VMF‑related pursuits, proposals, and interviews across the Americas.
• Contribute to the development of VMF market strategy, positioning Arup's technical and delivery capability in priority rail programs.
• Represent Arup externally through industry engagement and targeted relationship management aligned with VMF growth objectives.
• * Provide senior project leadership across one or more major VMF programs, ensuring alignment of technical, commercial, and delivery objectives.*
• Oversee and support design management teams across civil/site, track, industrial engineering, SMEP, and architectural disciplines.
• Monitor program progress, key milestones, and interfaces, proactively addressing delivery risks and emerging issues.
• Collaborate closely with contractor and client leadership to resolve challenges and maintain effective working relationships.
• * Provide escalation support and continuity of leadership as required to maintain program momentum and delivery assurance.*
• Identify and mitigate technical, regulatory, and constructability risks throughout the design and delivery lifecycle.
• Support resolution of complex technical issues through coordinated, multidisciplinary…