Director of Engineering

Company Description

At AECOM, we are delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand, and you can bring your bold ideas and big dreams to a global team of over 50,000 professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

AECOM is seeking a Director of Engineering based in our Sacramento, CA office to provide senior technical leadership for permanent way systems on the California high‑speed rail program. This role delivers end‑to‑end engineering oversight across design, construction, operations, and lifecycle management, establishing standards, ensuring system integration and safety compliance, managing technical risk, and optimizing track performance and asset strategies. The Director will lead multidisciplinary teams and collaborate closely with designers, contractors, operators, and regulators to ensure the successful delivery of safe, reliable, and high‑performance high‑speed rail track infrastructure.

Responsibilities:

Technical Leadership:

• Provide expert leadership on all permanent way (track) matters for high‑speed rail infrastructure, including slab track and ballasted track systems.
• Develop and implement track asset management strategies aligned with high‑speed operational requirements and lifecycle cost optimization.
• Establish engineering standards, specifications, and procedures in compliance with international HSR norms (e.g., EN, UIC, ISO, AREMA).

Design & Engineering Oversight:

• Review and approve track design submissions, method statements, and technical calculations from designers and contractors.
• Ensure integration of track systems with civil works, structures, electrification (OHE), signaling, and rolling stock interfaces.
• Ensure effective system integration and compatibility with operational performance, safety, and maintainability requirements.
• Oversee Interface Control Documents (ICDs) and ensure interface risks are identified and managed by delivery partners.
• Provide technical guidance on track geometry, alignment tolerances, vibration mitigation, noise control, and track‑structure interaction.

Construction & Installation Management:

• Oversee track construction and installation activities, including slab track, turnouts, expansion joints, and special trackworks.
• Provide engineering assurance during track construction to confirm compliance with approved designs, specifications, and quality requirements.
• Review and accept construction methodologies, Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs), and quality documentation submitted by contractors.
• Undertake site surveillance, audits, and technical inspections to verify construction quality and adherence to standards.
• Review and discharge non‑conformances and technical change requests affecting permanent way systems.
• Resolve technical issues arising during construction and provide engineering solutions to maintain progress and quality.

Maintenance & Asset Management:

• Define maintenance regimes and inspection standards for high‑speed track infrastructure.
• Oversee predictive, preventive, and corrective maintenance strategies using condition monitoring and data analytics.
• Approve maintenance plans, possession strategies, and renewal programs to ensure network availability and safety.

Safety & Compliance:

• Ensure all track activities comply with railway safety management systems, statutory regulations, and certification requirements.
• Lead hazard identification, risk assessments, and safety assurance activities related to permanent way systems.
• Support independent safety assessment (ISA), certification, and regulatory approvals.

Performance Monitoring & Optimization:

• Monitor track performance indicators such as geometry quality,, availability, and degradation trends.
• Investigate track‑related incidents or performance issues…