Rail Vehicle Project Manager

Transportation At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

At Jacobs, we are a global leader in transportation consulting services. We strive to develop and provide unsurpassed vehicle and transportation solutions to our clients in both the public and private sectors. The Rail, Bus and Transit Team on the West Coast is seeking experienced, highly motivated Rail and Bus Vehicle Project Manager to join our cohesive and supportive team providing technical and commercial support to all aspects of transit project management. In this role, you will manage delivery of complex rolling stock procurements and other rail and bus vehicle projects and ensure that project services and deliverables are completed within scope, budget and schedule while fulfilling all specification and quality requirements. You will work closely with client contacts and project managers, responsible for successful delivery of project work and technical performance. Project types will include new vehicle procurements, vehicle overhauls, transit strategy and planning, condition assessments, technical/mechanical issue resolution, component/system integration, and others. Project work may cover major activities such as design review, production oversight and inspection, quality assurance/control, testing, commissioning, deployment, warranty support, specification development and others as necessary to support the client’s project requirements.

You will work on projects while directly interfacing and coordinating with the client/s, and will include the procurement of new or overhauled transit vehicles and related projects involving Light Rail, Heavy Passenger Rail/subway, and Commuter Rail Vehicles. In this position you will be working both independently and collaboratively with our team of established experts in both our San Francisco and Los Angeles offices and other field locations. This will be a hybrid working arrangement while meeting client needs with some travel is anticipated as part of this role.

Job Duties Include:

• Provide project management and technical support to rail and bus project assignments.
• Provide project management and engineering support in preparation of technical specifications for functional/ sub system/ testing/ maintenance & training requirements for transit vehicle or subsystem procurements or overhauls.
• Perform technical reviews of vehicle and subsystem design for transit, railroad and bus fleets, analyze requirements, and review and provide comments regarding disposition of Contract Deliverables.
• Support System integration of vehicle subsystems and complete vehicles from different suppliers for compatibility and functional performance.
• Assess performance and specification compliance of vehicles and subsystems.
• Manage the relationship and communication between the consultant team and the client, and between third parties and the client/consultant team.
• Assess contractor performance and compliance with client’s requirements, provide recommendations to the client, and implement the client’s directions.
• Support business development efforts as needed as determined by Jacobs program management and sales team.
• Perform or assign project management support activities within the constraints of project staffing.

Here's what you'll need

• Bachelor of Science in an Engineering discipline
• Professional experience in a rail vehicle, bus and transit engineering, fleet operations and maintenance, or manufacturing role.
• Demonstrated success in the role of subject matter expert on at least three new rail vehicle procurement or overhaul projects.
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of rail, bus and transit vehicle industry standards, systems, and practices.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills, and the ability to communicate technical information to non-technical audiences are critical.
• Proficient with the Microsoft Office Suite.

Ideally, You’ll Also Have:

• Experience with new rail and bus procurement and/or overhaul programs involving multiple modes is desirable.
• Professional Engineer license or equivalent is a strong plus

Posted Salary Range: Minimum

128,200.00

Posted Salary Range: Upper

200,350.00

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well-being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.

The base salary range for this position is $128,200.00 to $200,350.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. Job posted on October 20, 2025. This position will be open for at least 3 days.

Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support .

Locations

City State Country
Irvine	California	United States
Los Angeles	California	United States