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

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Senior Civil Design Engineer / Group Leader – Freight Rail

Location Options: Omaha, NE | Tacoma, WA | Salt Lake City, UT | Portland, OR | Denver, CO

Salary Range: $130,000–$200,000 (DOE & Location)

Schedule: Flexible Hybrid Schedule | 9/80 Option (Every Other Friday Off)

Lead the Next Generation of Freight Rail Infrastructure

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.

What You’ll Do

Technical Leadership

• 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…