Associate Project Director - Mass Transit, in North America

Associate Project Director – Mass Transit

San Diego, Los Angeles, Oakland

Regular, Full-Time | Hybrid

Do you want the opportunity to co-create with our experts on some of the most prestigious infrastructure programs in North America? Can you navigate the dynamic landscape of the market by adapting strategies swiftly, capitalizing on emerging opportunities, and mitigating risks? And are you committed to accelerating growth, promoting innovation, and delivering tangible results? Then this is the place to create the solutions the world needs today to enable a better tomorrow.

• Oversee and coordinate complex transit and rail infrastructure projects for agencies such as LA Metro, OCTA, Metrolink, Caltrain, and San Diego Metropolitan Transit System.
• Oversee all phases of transit project delivery, including conceptual design, preliminary engineering, final design, and construction support for rail, underground tunnels, elevated/underground structures, and stations.
• Direct the development of civil, structural, and systems integration components of transit projects, including alignment, utility relocations, grading and drainage, ventilation, and platform configurations.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with public agency clients (LA Metro, OCTA, Caltrans Districts, municipalities) and key stakeholders, including Design & Build Contractors, third‑party utility agencies and community groups.
• Consistently support business development pursuits in collaboration with Transit Market Director, including strategy, positioning, proposal development, interviews, and client engagement for major transit programs across California.
• Provide leadership within a multidisciplinary team environment that includes civil, structural, geotechnical and architectural disciplines.
• Manage project teams of 5–25+ staff and subcontractors, ensuring adherence to project scope, schedule, budget, and quality standards on infrastructure programs exceeding $100 M in construction value.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for client project managers, responsible for contract management, fee negotiations, schedule performance, and risk mitigation.
• Collaborate with internal global centers of excellence to leverage specialized expertise and ensure high‑quality project delivery while managing local compliance and permitting requirements.
• Ensure strict compliance with internal quality management systems, overseeing project controls, financial reporting, resource allocation, and stakeholder communication.
• Mentor and guide junior project managers and technical staff, supporting professional growth and promoting high standards in transit delivery.

• Bachelor's degree in Civil or Structural Engineering (Master's preferred).
• Hold Professional Engineer status in CA. Licenses in other US states considered an asset.
• Minimum 15 years of experience in transit or rail infrastructure projects, with at least 5 years in a senior project management role.
• Experience working with LA Metro, OCTA, Metrolink, Caltrain.
• Experience coordinating and managing multi‑disciplinary design teams.
• Experience delivering projects through Alternate Project Delivery methods such as Design‑Build, Progressive Design‑Build or CMGC.
• Comprehensive written and oral communication skills.
• Proven ability in preparing proposals and reviewing agreement terms.
• Self‑motivated, skilled in navigating change, and able to handle multiple tasks in an evolving workplace.
• High organizational and time‑management skills.
• Effective team‑building skills, solid leadership skills and ability to manage multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to work with staff located remotely.
• Ability and willingness to travel, predominantly in North America.

Being part of the COWI community offers more than just a comprehensive salary. We prioritize the well‑being of our team members in both their work and personal lives. Some of our benefits include:

• Flexible working arrangement
• Top‑up parental and childbirth recovery leave
• Fantastic close‑knit team with a wealth of knowledge to share
• Full‑time hires get minimum 5 weeks' vacation to start
• Floating holiday to celebrate employee diversity
• Paid sick leave
• Annua…