Sr Principal Project Mgr - New York/Hamilton, NJ/Philadelphia

Sr Principal Project Mgr - 90340784 - New York/Hamilton, NJ/Philadelphia

Date: Sep 28, 2026

Location: New York, NY, US, 10119

Company: Amtrak

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As we move America’s workforce toward the future, Amtrak connects businesses and communities across the country. We employ more than 20,000 diverse, energetic professionals in a variety of career fields throughout the United States. The safety of our passengers, our employees, the public and our operating environment is our priority, and the success of our railroad is due to our employees.

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Our values of ‘Do the Right Thing, Excel Together and Put Customers First’ are at the heart of what matters most to us, and our Core Capabilities, ‘Building Trust, Accountability, Effective Communication, Customer Focus, and Proactive Safety & Security’ are what every employee needs to know and do to be most impactful at Amtrak. By living the Amtrak values, focusing on our capabilities, and actively embracing and fostering diverse ideas, backgrounds, and perspectives, together we will honor our past and make Amtrak a company of the future.

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Dir Portfolio Management, the Sr Principal Project Manager is responsible for managing specific mega complex capital construction projects, where total project cost exceeds $100M. Individual in this role use advance knowledge of project management processes and controls to accomplish project objectives by planning and evaluating project activities with minimal supervision from the Director, and may have either direct reports or matrixed subordinate team members. The role requires regular analytical and metrics-based reporting to Senior staff, Executive Governance Committees, Amtrak Board of Directors, Government officials and other external stakeholders.

The successful candidate will also function as the main external and internal-facing point of contact for execution of major Electric Traction projects within the Amtrak system.

Essential Functions

• Develops and implements project plans, schedules and budgets consistent with operational needs and budget allowances and oversees bid negotiations and consultant relationships.
• Manages and monitors project schedules, progress and costs; maintains, adjusts and update project plans, as needed; consolidates, communicates and manages all issues and risks affecting the project, and ensures the timely communication of project status to project participants and stakeholders.
• Ensures project progress by measuring the variance in scope, schedule, cost and quality from the respective baselines and takes necessary action to address deviations.
• Identifies, documents and leads evaluation of changes based on cost, schedule, risk and scope impacts as well as cross functional dependencies. Ensures appropriate packaging of relevant information to support appropriate project change and governance decision processes.
• Mentors and coaches junior level Project Management staff and matrixed team members and provide guidance on adherence to the Project Management practices and manage 3rd party PM/CM consultants that supports assigned project.
• Works with senior leaders to contribute relevant data to support annual planning activities.
• Identifies and evaluates the risks associated with project activities and work across organizations to establish and monitor risks mitigation plans.
• Establishes appropriate project governance structures and processes by engaging executive sponsors and key stakeholders. Adheres to Amtrak Enterprise Project Management methodology and standards.
• Develop and maintain required project management documents in accordance with Amtrak Project Management standards and applicable regulations
• Build and maintain external relationships to provide effective communication of capital program status and accomplished goals and objectives.
• Develops and administers of the budget for assigned projects; approves the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies; approves expenditures and implements budgetary adjustments as appropriate. Provides financial project performance and forecasting reports to senior executives and government regulators.
• Represents Amtrak at meetings and conferences with elected and public officials, the community, private citizens, and public and private organizations.
• Analyzes challenges, problems, and process breakdowns to ensure that lessons learned are used to improve project management and project delivery practices.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of project management in public transportation.
• Effectively contributes to a safe and secure work environment for employees and travel experience for customers.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Experience in project management with emphasis on large scale project implementation in the passenger railroad environment
• Successfully demonstrates expert knowledge and ability to effectively oversee scope, schedule and budgets of capital improvement and capital maintenance programs
• Extensive experience managing diverse, large, and geographically dispersed groups of individuals
• Extensive experience showing strong interdepartmental leadership with the ability to identify problems and develop and implement solutions
• Extensive understanding of business operations and the impact departmental actions have on the corporation and operations
• Experience managing across teams with varying objectives. Identify, organize and lead cross functional multidisciplinary project teams.
• Experience working with government agencies and organizations

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required or equivalent combination of training, education and relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Plus 9 years of relevant work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Plus 11 years of relevant work experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management, or closely related field
• Professional Engineer’s (PE) License
• Advance principles of project management, program development, implementation and administration for improvement and maintenance projects.
• Experience with local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations governing the design, engineering, and construction of passenger railroad capital improvement and maintenance projects.
• Knowledge of Roadway Workers Protection (RWP), Operating Rules, AMT2,
• Experience with or working knowledge of Project or Construction Management, railroad track, structures, facilities, signals, and electric traction system

Environmental Conditions/Physical Demands

• 25% travel required to project sites
• Position works 4 days in office with 1 day remote.
• Work nights and weekends as needed.

#LI-LA1

The salary/hourly range is $135,800.00 – $176,040.00. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, etc. Depending on an employee’s assigned worksite or location, Amtrak may consider a geo-pay differential to be applied to the employee’s base salary. Amtrak may offer additional incentive and pay programs to recognize and reward our employees, including a short-term incentive bonus based upon factors such as individual and company performance that is commensurate with the level of the position.

Health and Wellbeing Financial and Retirement Work and Family Life Support

Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance 401K with Employer Match Generous Paid Time Off

Wellness Programs Railroad Retirement Benefits Paid Caregiving Days and Backup Care

Health Savings Account Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Fertility and Family Building Benefits

No-cost Personal Health Advocate Student Loan Assistance Adoption and Surrogacy Assistance

Medical Plan Opt-out Credit Tuition and Education Reimbursement Paid Family Leave

Life Insurance Rail Pass Privileges

Short- and Long-term Disability Insurance Employee Assistance Program

No-cost Financial Advisor Sessions Commuter and Flexible Spending Accounts

Requisition ID: 167288
Work Arrangement: 06-Onsite 4/5 Days
Relocation Offered: No
Travel Requirements: Up to 25%

You power our progress through your performance.

We want your work at Amtrak to be more than a job. We want your career at Amtrak to be a fulfilling experience where you find challenging work, rewarding opportunities, respect among colleagues, and attractive compensation. Amtrak maintains a culture that values high performance and recognizes individual employee contributions.

Amtrak is committed to a safe workplace free of drugs and alcohol. All Amtrak positions requires a pre-employment background check that includes prior employment verification, a criminal history check and a pre-employment drug screen.

Candidates who test positive for marijuana will be disqualified, regardless of any state or local statute, ordinance, regulation, or other law that legalizes or decriminalizes the use or possession of marijuana, whether for medical, recreational, or other use. Amtrak's pre-employment drug testing program is administered in accordance with DOT regulations and applicable law.

In accordance with DOT regulations (49 CFR § 40.25), Amtrak is required to obtain prior drug and alcohol testing records for applicants/employees intending to perform safety-sensitive duties for covered Department of Transportation positions. If an applicant/employee refuses to provide written consent for Amtrak to obtain these records, the individual will not be permitted to perform safety-sensitive functions.

In accordance with federal law governing security checks of covered individuals for providers of public transportation (Title 6 U.S.C. §1143), Amtrak is required to screen applicants for any permanent or interim disqualifying criminal offenses.

Note that any education requirement listed above may be deemed satisfied if you have an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Amtrak is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race/color, to include traits historically associated with race, including but not limited to, hair texture and hairstyles such as braids, locks and twists, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions, such as lactation), national origin/ethnicity, disability (intellectual, mental and physical), veteran status, marital status, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, genetic information, citizenship or any other personal characteristics protected by law.