OCS Construction Manager

Job ID: 19980

Benefits Offering

RailWorks is committed to helping our employees live better lives. We offer comprehensive benefits packages to eligible employees, including competitive pay, medical, dental and vision coverage, 401(k) with company match, and additional performance incentives.

Compensation

$220000 - $240000 / year

Position Summary

The OCS Construction Manager is responsible for the operational and financial performance of large-scale traction power and electrification contracts. This role participates directly in high-level meetings with clients, joint venture partners, and key stakeholders. The Senior Manager oversees and coordinates all operational activities across the bidding, development, planning, execution, and close-out phases of major transit projects, with a strong emphasis on Alternative Project Delivery (APD) models. The Senior Manager mentors and supports project teams to achieve operational excellence, strict quality compliance, and optimal financial performance while providing strategic resource management across all assigned scopes.

Primary/Essential Responsibilities and Duties

• Lead and supervise all aspects of project development, including design integration, feasibility, execution planning, and budgeting, ensuring strict adherence to prime contract requirements.
• Coordinate closely with engineering consultants to ensure that the OCS design is compliant, constructible, and economically competitive.
• Author and implement comprehensive construction installation plans, baseline schedules, progress reports, project controls, and resource plans for future work packages.
• Conduct regular site inspections to verify that fieldwork matches engineering designs, quality standards, and safety specifications.
• Confirm that all required permits, submittals, and construction documentation are approved and up to date before field mobilization.
• Proactively identify design, utility, or logistical conflicts blocking OCS installation and develop mitigation strategies or alternative work locations.
• Manage material supply chains, verifying the availability and timely delivery of long-lead OCS components and specialized hardware.
• Forecast labor, specialized high-rail equipment, and material requirements over rolling three-month look-ahead periods using core project documents.
• Reconcile daily site conditions and field requests against the master work plan to identify deviations, logic ties, or additional field needs.
• Manage subcontractor procurement and execution, ensuring all specialized third-party teams possess up-to-date drawings, site-specific work plans (SSWP), and safety documentation.
• Enforce subcontractor compliance with prime contract terms, schedule milestones, and strict transit agency site requirements.
• Monitor, measure, and report on subcontractor physical progress and earned value metrics.
• Champion a zero-harm safety culture, ensuring all field personnel and subcontractors adhere to absolute safety rules, regulatory standards, and railroad rules-of-the-way.
• Perform additional leadership duties and corporate initiatives as assigned by executive management.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Construction Management, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience overseeing the construction of complex overhead catenary systems, including at least 5 years serving directly as an OCS Construction Manager on major rail infrastructure projects.
• Advanced capability to read, interpret, and identify conflicts within complex multi-disciplinary engineering plans, wiring diagrams, and technical specifications.
• Proven track record delivering major rail transit projects via Alternative Project Delivery (APD) methods, such as Design-Build (DB), Progressive Design-Build (PDB), or Construction Manager/General Contractor (CMGC).
• Deep field-based experience overseeing design integration, phase planning, budget forecasting, and feasibility analysis for traction power systems.
• Strong working knowledge of local building codes, railway regulations, traction power technologies, schedule sequencing, and specialized rail construction techniques.
• Demonstrated leadership ability to recruit, train, manage, and mentor junior engineers and field superintendents.
• Superior organizational skills to manage shifting, multiple priorities under tight contractual deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to resolve complex field constructability issues.
• Ability to synthesize complex project data into clear, simple presentations for executive management and client reviews.
• High proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and specialized project management tools, including Primavera P6, cost control applications, and budget forecasting

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Extended hours and overtime may be required to meet critical project milestones and system outages.
• Split environment requiring both standard office work and active field management in dynamic rail construction corridors.
• Frequent sitting and computer usage for long periods during planning and administrative phases.
• Regular standing, walking on uneven ballast, lifting, bending, and climbing around active rail guideways and construction equipment.
• Willing to travel

Company Overview

This job description is not intended to represent a complete, comprehensive list of all duties and responsibilities that may be required in this position. There may be unplanned activities and other duties as assigned.

RailWorks is North America’s leading rail maintenance and infrastructure solutions provider. With over 100 years of experience, our geographic footprint enables us to quickly serve our customers and provides ample opportunities for our employees to grow their careers within the company. We take on challenging projects every day and our success relies on a collaborative, safe, and open-minded work environment that encourages teamwork, positivity, and ingenuity. We are committed to creating a culture of trust, respect, and acceptance.

RailWorks is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment with RailWorks without regard to an individual’s sex, race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, disability, veteran status or other legally protected characteristics.