Pacific Northwest Major Projects Leader - Rail & Transport

Joining Arup

Arups purpose, shared values, and collaborative approach has set us apart for over 75 years, guiding how we shape a better world.

We collaborate with public and private sector clients to unlock the transformative potential of railways. We offer a broad range of services spanning planning, design, delivery, systems integration, assurance, safety and security assessments, and optimization of railway operation and maintenance performance to unlock the financial value for investors, asset owners, operators and maintainers, while navigating the transition to low carbon and resilient rail.

You would be joining our multidisciplinary team focusing on technical excellence and innovative solutions that shape a better future for people and the planet.

Given our growing business, Arup is looking for a Northwest Major Projects Lead to provide senior leadership across a portfolio of major rail and transit infrastructure programs in the United States and Canada. This role is accountable for shaping program‑level vision and delivery strategies, providing governance and assurance, and overseeing the successful delivery of complex projects in alignment with client objectives, Arups commercial goals, and our commitment to quality and safety.

The Major Projects Lead provides strategic oversight of design development and implementation, supports integrated multidisciplinary teams delivering major programs-including those where Arup serves as Prime Consultant-and guides teams and clients through critical phases of decision‑making, risk management, and execution across the program lifecycle.

The Opportunity

• Provide on-the-ground senior leadership to multidisciplinary teams of Arup engineers and subconsultants, establishing clear delivery frameworks that support consistent, high‑quality outcomes.
• Champion quality assurance and governance standards, providing oversight and independent challenge to ensure technical, regulatory, and contractual risks are effectively managed.
• Shape and support business development strategies to grow and diversify Arups rail portfolio, while cultivating trusted, long‑term relationships with key clients, partners, and industry organizations.
• Act as a senior representative of Arup within the regional rail and transit market, including relationship leadership with selected industry bodies.
• Build and sustain a culture of collaboration, excellence, and accountability across integrated project teams, supporting workforce planning, senior recruitment, and succession.
• Mentor and develop project and technical leaders through coaching, performance reviews, and promotion processes.
• Provide strategic oversight of program performance-across schedule, budget, risk, and delivery outcomes-intervening as needed to support resolution and successful execution.

At Arup, you belong to an extraordinary collective - in which we encourage individuality to thrive. Our strength comes from how we respect, share and connect our diverse experiences, perspectives and ideas. You will have the opportunity to do socially useful work that has meaning - to Arup, to your career, to our members and to the clients and communities we serve.

Is this role right for you?

• Bachelors or Masters degree in Engineering with 15+ years of experience providing senior leadership across complex infrastructure projects within multidisciplinary environments.
• Washington State PE required, WA SE preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading the successful delivery of complex infrastructure projects, with accountability for design and technical excellence, commercial performance, risk, and outcomes.
• Proven ability to build and sustain trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders, including owners, contractors, and public agencies.
• Experience leading major projects delivered through design‑build is required; experience with other alternative delivery models (CM/GC, Progressive Design‑Build, etc.) is preferred.
• Experience across rail and major infrastructure programs; maintenance facility experience is desirable but not required.
• Ability to lead across multiple complex priorities, providing clarity, governance, and strategic focus in fast‑paced, high‑risk environments.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence, align, and advise senior stakeholders.

Please note that all applicants must apply directly via the job portal.

If this role is not quite what you are looking for, but you are interested in other opportunities for a future with purpose, please sign up to our Talent Community where you will be kept up to date with roles suitable for you to shape a better world.

What we offer you

At Arup, we care about each members success, so we can grow together. Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognizes the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive - through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.

We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arups legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities.

• Profit Share: A key part of our reward, enabling members to share in the results of our collective efforts. Our Global Profit Share Plan (paid bi-annually) provides an opportunity for you to share in the success of the Firm.
• Benefits at Work: At Arup, we have a comprehensive and valuable benefits program that works for our employees and their families while keeping costs low. These benefits provide health and welfare security for you as well as paid time off for rest and renewal.
• 401(k): As a valued employee of Arup, you can also choose to participate in our 401(k) plan with up to 10% company match to help you save for your future.
• Flexible Working: We believe that flexible arrangements create a more inclusive way of working that supports our diversity and the wellbeing of our people. Options for alternative schedules and the ability to work outside of the office for a portion of your workweek are available.

Seattle Hiring Range

The good faith base salary hiring range for this job if performed in Seattle is $190,000 to $220,000 per year. This range is commensurate with experience, educational background, and skill level. Benefits are not included in the base salary. Please note hiring ranges for candidates performing work outside of Seattle will differ.

Different People, Shared Values

Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age (within legal limits), gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether youre pregnant or on family leave.

We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas - this drives our excellence. Guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all.

Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross-cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion - we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference.

Discover more about life at Arup at www.arup.com/careers/your-life-at-arup.

Our Application Process

We will be reviewing our candidates for this position on a rolling basis. Once you have applied you will be evaluated and potentially moved on to the next round, at which point a member of the talent resourcing team will reach out to you directly.

Arup is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, spouse of a protected veteran, or disability.

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