Transit Project/Program Manager

About Atlas

Atlas is a trusted leader in environmental and infrastructure consulting services; we provide services that enable communities to flourish and thrive. With a team of 3,500 employees and offices throughout the US, we combine local expertise and a network of relationships to deliver solutions to both public and private clients. Our services help improve the quality of life in the communities where we live and work. We always aim for smart, safe, and sustainable results. At Atlas we understand that our future is everyone's responsibility, and we create a better experience at every stage of a project.


Job Description

We are seeking a Transit Project/Program Manager with experience with complex transit construction projects. The position requires safety and security certification, with additional experience in transit maintenance, operations, and planning, highly desirable. The ideal candidate brings the depth of knowledge and judgment expected of a senior project manager and demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the full project life cycle-from initial scoping and planning through construction, commissioning, operations, and long-term maintenance of transit system infrastructure. Proven success managing transit construction projects and programs within a highly regulated environment is essential.

This role focuses on delivering high-quality transit projects and task orders primarily throughout the Chicagoland region and may extend to other areas of Atlas' Eastern Region of the United State, with significant engagement supporting key northeastern Illinois transit clients including the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), PACE Suburban Bus, and METRA Commuter Rail System.

Core Responsibilities

Project, Program & Task Order Leadership:

• Lead transit facility projects, programs, and task orders from planning through design, construction, operations, and maintenance.
• Provide close coordination with the client, subconsultants, prime consultants, contractors, utility companies, agency representatives and additional stakeholders as needed.
• Lead teams of internal staff and subconsultants to complete task orders and other assignments.
• Provide project management oversight ensuring full compliance with Federal, state, and local requirements-including codes, ordinances, grants, and agency policies.
• Coordinate, monitor and document construction, operations, and maintenance activities aligned with client standards and regulations.
• Implement programs, policies, and standards that enhance system safety and performance.
• Conduct Safety and Security Certification and support State Safety Oversight to meet applicable federal and state requirements.
• Oversee multidisciplinary project teams, ensuring strong technical direction, quality management, and risk mitigation.
• Manage task order project scope, schedule, budget, contract adherence, and delivery.

Supportive Role in Market & Client Development

• Maintain and strengthen client relationships, especially with RTA, CTA, PACE, and METRA, through consistent, high-quality project delivery.
• Assit in developing additional opportunities within existing contracts for new work orders, contract extension and renewals.
• Participate in capture planning, proposal development, task order coordination, and occasional client presentations.
• Provide insight into client needs, operational challenges, and opportunities to enhance service delivery.
• Support Office, Sector, Division and Regional leadership in meeting the needs of transit clients across Northeastern Illinois and Atlas' national eastern region as needed.

Technical Leadership & Regional Support:

• Contribute to improvements in technical practices, safety approaches, and project delivery methods.
• May assist in the development of standards, inspection procedures, and training manuals to support a state of good repair.
• Mentor staff and support technical development across project teams.

You'll thrive here if you have:

• Minimum 10 years of experience in construction management with a strong focus on transit facility construction, working with regional northeastern Illinois transit agencies. Agencies may include but are not limited to the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), Chicago Transportation Authority (CTA), PACE Suburban Bus and METRA Chicago Commuter Rail System.
• Bachelor's degree in construction management, civil engineering, transportation planning, or a related field.
• Professional Engineering registration in the State of Illinois (if applicable).
• Experience managing programs, projects, oversight assignments, and task orders.
• Strong understanding of AREMA, FRA, FTA regulations, safety certification, and State Safety Oversight.
• Experience developing operations and maintenance standards, procedures, and training materials.
• Demonstrated leadership and technical capability across the full project life cycle.
• Experience working with or supporting northeastern Illinois transit agencies is highly valued.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with regional management and multidisciplinary teams.
• Commitment to company values and an employee-owned culture.
• Established client relationships with RTA, CTA, PACE, and METRA, or similar transit agencies.
• Knowledge of transit regulatory requirements.
• Experience supporting strategic marketing or task order-based pursuits in a transportation environment.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification Desirable
• Ability to acquire necessary client safety certification
• Report writing and construction documentation

What you can expect from us

The A-Team Experience is our employee program focused on helping our people thrive professionally, personally and as part of a community. We trust our people to do great work and live fulfilling lives, and we provide resources that care for our people, both at work and in life:

• Health & Wellness: We offer medical, dental and vision coverage with multiple plan options, including no-cost employee-only medical coverage.
• Time Off & Family Support: We offer vacation time, paid holidays, sick & safety leave (SSL) and paid parental leave
• Retirement: We help employees plan for the future with a 401(k) and company match.
• Insurance: To provide protection and peace of mind, we offer Life, AD&D (Accidental Death & Dismemberment) and Disability insurance.
• Safety Program: We are committed to safety as part of our 'quality of life' core value, and we provide approved PPE at no cost and reimbursement for prescription safety glasses and protective footwear.
• Learning & Development: We provide clear career paths, learning resources and development programs allowing you to see how you can grow and advance within the company. We offer internal certifications on specific skills and support external credentials through tuition reimbursement.
• Belonging: We support Employee Communities (ECs), voluntary, employee-led groups that create connections, belonging and shared purposes.
• Flexibility: May vary by project demands and regional workloads, but we are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to help employees manage their personal and professional responsibilities.

Our people and our culture are central to our work. Our values bring us together, create a sense of belonging and give us purpose. They guide how we make decisions, how we work as a team and how we serve our clients.

• Life: We enhance the quality of life. We value people and safety above all else.
• Heart: As our hallmark, we act with compassion, empathy, and respect.
• Trust: We work together as partners, doing what we say with full accountability.
• Mastery: Always striving for the highest quality, greatness inspires our work.

About the Job

• Career Level: Lead/Supervisor
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Compensation: $140,000 - $200,000 annual salary
  The expected salary range for the position is displayed in accordance with the state's law. Final agreed upon compensation is based upon individual qualifications and experience.

EEO Statement

Atlas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants without regard to race (including hairstyles, hair texture, hair type, or hair length commonly or historically associated with race), ethnicity, creed, religion or religious creed, color, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions or requests for pregnancy disability leave and/or family care leave), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, primary language, crime victim status, criminal conviction history, uniformed service member or veteran status, marital status, age, genetic information, disability or protected medical condition, genetics, political affiliation or activities, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.


Notice to Third Party Agencies

Please note that Atlas Technical Consultants does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Recruitment Fee Agreement, Atlas will not consider or agree to payment of any referral compensation or recruiter fee. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement, Atlas explicitly reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Atlas.


Ready to build a career to be proud of? Join the A-Team today!

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