Director

• Drive business development by identifying, pursuing, and securing opportunities with METRA, CTA, PACE, railroads (e.g., Class I freight operators), and related agencies, leveraging personal networks to expand Valdes' presence in the rail/transit sector
• Lead strategic planning for rail/transit services, including market analysis, service integration with Valdes' existing civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, and environmental engineering offerings, and alignment with overall transportation group goals
• Oversee the full lifecycle of rail/transit projects, from planning and design to construction management, ensuring compliance with FRA, FTA, AREMA, and local regulations
• Manage multidisciplinary teams in delivering solutions for track design, signaling systems, stations, maintenance facilities, rolling stock integration, and transit-oriented developments
• Serve as a technical expert and hands-on contributor ("doer") in project execution, including design reviews, feasibility studies, and problem-solving for complex infrastructure challenges
• Build and mentor a rail/transit team, promoting collaboration across departments to deliver innovative, sustainable solutions for capacity expansion, electrification, and resilience
• Cultivate long-term client relationships, acting as the primary liaison with stakeholders to address needs in safety, operations, and funding (e.g., federal grants like FTA Capital Investment Grants)
• Collaborate with internal leaders on budgeting, resource allocation, performance metrics, and business planning to drive revenue growth
• Stay current on industry trends, such as high-speed rail advancements, positive train control, and sustainable transit practices, to position Valdes as a thought leader
• Contribute to proposals, negotiations, and public engagements, including regulatory interactions and industry presentations

Director of Rail/Transit

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