Rail Systems Design Manager, Frederick Douglass Tunnel Program
Parsons· Defense & National Security· Oct 13, 2026 · 15d ago
Baltimore, MD
In office
Full-time
Manager
$148K–$267K
20+ years exp
Job description
In a world of possibilities, pursue one with endless opportunities. Imagine Next!
At Parsons, you can imagine a career where you thrive, work with exceptional people, and be yourself. Guided by our leadership vision of valuing people, embracing agility, and fostering growth, we cultivate an innovative culture that empowers you to achieve your full potential. Unleash your talent and redefine what’s possible.
Job Description:
Parsons Mobility Solutions Market provides planning, design, program management, construction management, and software solutions to a wide range of infrastructure clients, mainly in North America. We’re an industry leader in successfully delivering complex, challenging, and high-profile infrastructure projects across all project delivery models, including integrated delivery (public-private partnership, design-build, construction management at-risk) and traditional delivery.
The B&P Tunnel, located in Baltimore, dates from the Civil War era. At nearly 150 years old, it is the oldest tunnel Amtrak inherited and a single point of failure for MARC’s busiest line (the Penn Line) and the Northeast Corridor (NEC). The 1.4-mile tunnel, connecting Baltimore’s Penn Station to Washington and Virginia, suffers from a variety of age-related issues such as excessive water infiltration, a deteriorating structure, and a sinking floor. There are no fire and life safety systems that help keep passengers safe in the event of emergencies, and excessive costly maintenance is required. Due to its age, delays are chronic — more than 10% of weekday trains are delayed, and delays occur on 99% of weekdays. The B&P Tunnel must be replaced to meet the needs of the 9 million MARC and Amtrak customers who rely on it annually.
The Frederick Douglass Tunnel Replacement Program (the Program) will modernize and transform a four-mile section of the Northeast Corridor. It includes two new high-capacity tubes for electrified passenger trains, new roadway and railroad bridges, new rail systems and track, and a new ADA-accessible West Baltimore MARC station.
What You ll Be Doing:
Our Rail Systems Design Manager will serve as a Design Manager on the B&P Tunnel Replacement Program, managing elements of design and coordination for rail systems being designed as part of the program (estimated at over $1B of construction value). Interface with Amtrak and other stakeholders is required. Experience working with Amtrak Engineering systems groups (comms, signals, or ET) is required.
The position is required to be in Baltimore at least one day a week, and as needed.
What Required Skills You ll Bring:
· 4-year degree in Engineering or related technical/business field and at least 20 years of related work experience is required.
· Minimum 15 years of rail project experience, including at least 5 years on Amtrak projects.
· Participation in at least one major rail program with a lead role on the project.
· Subject matter expertise in one of the technical disciplines associated with rail infrastructure design.
· Successful record delivering large projects, involving facilities and rail systems, prefer experience with Design-Build or CMAR.
· Successful record coordinating with owner project managers and technical representatives.
· Successful record of developing and negotiating contracts and contract modifications.
· Familiarity with AREMA and current Amtrak Standards as they relate to the design of new railroad and rail systems.
· Professional Registration.
What Desired Skills You ll Bring:
· Experience with development of Contract Drawings, Technical Specifications, Special Provisions, and construction agreements.
· Familiarity with rail project construction staging in urban areas, including the relationship between third-party and Force Account construction and maintenance of rail operations and vehicular traffic.
· Familiarity with rail project services during construction, including testing and commissioning.
· Familiarity with FRA or FTA safety and security certification.
· Experience with rail passenger stations is a plus
Security Clearance Requirement:
None
This position is part of our Critical Infrastructure team.
For more than 80 years, our experts have designed and delivered the critical infrastructure that connects and protects communities around the world. We work in collaborative teams, both within the company and with our partners and customers, to plan, design, build, and modernize infrastructure. We take special pride in projects and solutions that improve communities as well as people’s quality of life by promoting economic growth, enhancing mobility, and increasing sustainability and resiliency. Powered by our people, we provide the imagination necessary to support our customers’ visions—and to help them see what's next!
Salary Range: $148,300.00 - $266,900.00
We value our employees and want our employees to take care of their overall wellbeing, which is why we offer best-in-class benefits such as medical, dental, vision, paid time off, Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), 401(k), life insurance, flexible work schedules, and holidays to fit your busy lifestyle!
This position will be posted for a minimum of 3 days and will continue to be posted for an average of 30 days until a qualified applicant is selected or the position has been cancelled.
Parsons is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other protected status.
We truly invest and care about our employee’s wellbeing and provide endless growth opportunities as the sky is the limit, so aim for the stars! Imagine next and join the Parsons quest—APPLY TODAY!
Parsons is aware of fraudulent recruitment practices. To learn more about recruitment fraud and how to report it, please refer to parsons.com .
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Dental
Vision
401(K)
Paid Time Off