Senior Civil Design Engineer​/Group Leader, Transit and Rail - Omaha, NE

Location Options: Omaha, NE | Tacoma, WA | Salt Lake City, UT | Portland, OR | Denver, CO
Schedule: Flexible Hybrid Schedule | 9/80 Option (Every Other Friday Off)
Salary Range: $130,000–$200,000

The posted salary range represents the typical range for this position and is provided in accordance with applicable state and local transparency laws. Actual compensation will be commensurate with experience, qualifications, and geographic location.

David Evans and Associates Inc. (DEA) is seeking a highly motivated Senior Civil Design Engineer / Group Leader to join our Transit and Rail Group, focusing on freight rail projects. This leadership role is ideal for a seasoned professional who thrives at the intersection of design excellence, team development, and client partnership. You'll have the opportunity to shape impactful rail infrastructure while guiding a high-performing team from conceptual design through to construction support.

As part of our collaborative and client-focused culture, you’ll work with major freight carriers, ports, and industrial clients to develop innovative, constructible, and sustainable rail solutions.

• Serve as the lead civil designer on multidiscipline rail projects involving grading, utilities, drainage, erosion control, site development, access roads, and track geometry.
• Oversee design production from feasibility through final design and construction, ensuring technical excellence and compliance with Class I railroad standards, local codes, and client specifications.

• Lead preparation and review of detailed construction plans, technical specifications, cost estimates, and reports.
• Utilize Bentley Open Rail Designer, Micro Station, AutoCAD, and Civil 3D to develop accurate, high-quality deliverables.

• Conduct and manage technical reviews of plans, estimates, and calculations to uphold DEA’s Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) procedures.
• Provide construction-phase support including submittal reviews, RFIs, and field observations to preserve design integrity.

• Manage, mentor, and inspire a growing team of engineers and designers, supporting both technical development and career growth.
• Plan and allocate resources effectively, ensuring the right expertise is applied to each project.

• Serve as a technical leader and trusted advisor to key clients such as BNSF, UPRR, CPKC, and industry rail partners.
• Support strategic pursuits, proposals, and relationship-building efforts with new and existing clients.
• Collaborate with DEA leadership to grow the Freight Rail team and expand our service offerings.

• Coordinate with structural, geotechnical, surveying, environmental, and architectural disciplines.
• Lead project meetings, site visits, and inspections to align field activities with design intent and stakeholder goals.

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or related field.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE).
• 10+ years of experience in civil engineering with a strong focus on freight rail and land development.
• Demonstrated success delivering projects for Class I railroads or industrial clients.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, organizational skills, and attention to detail.
• Willingness and ability to travel periodically for site visits, client engagement, and business development.

• Proficiency in Bentley Open Rail, Micro Station, AutoCAD, and/or Civil 3D.
• Familiarity with Class I railroad standards (BNSF, UPRR, NS, CPKC).
• Proven success in client management, winning work, and leading multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience mentoring junior staff and building high-functioning design teams.
• Preference given to candidates based in or near Texas or strategic client regions.

At DEA, we are engineers, planners, surveyors, and scientists united by a shared vision: to improve our communities through thoughtful, forward-thinking…