GFT
Job Overview
Deputy Director of Transit and Rail – Operations
Pay: $270,000 - $365,000 per year.
Location: North America
Employment Status: Full-Time
Core Business Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Base Pay Range: $270,000.00/yr - $365,000.00/yr
Responsibilities
Lead the operational consulting portfolio, including service delivery analysis, operations planning, and quality management.
Act as a senior advisor to transit agencies on operational readiness for new or expanded BRT, LRT, and commuter rail corridors.
Develop and implement performance metrics and staffing strategies aligned with project portfolio delivery.
Ensure operational integration across planning, design, and startup phases, aligning engineering and systems expertise with real-world operating needs.
Oversee multidisciplinary project teams delivering transit and rail operations support, ensuring quality, compliance, and schedule performance.
Serve as Deputy Project Manager or Principal-in-Charge on key pursuits and contracts.
Provide QA/QC review of deliverables, ensuring adherence to an ISO‑aligned Quality Management System.
Support project risk management, change control, and contract compliance activities.
Support the Transit & Rail Director in executing a North American growth plan, identifying and pursuing new opportunities with transit agencies, DOTs, and rail operators.
Develop winning proposal strategies, scope frameworks, and pricing approaches for operations‑related pursuits.
Represent the firm in industry forums, panels, and conferences such as APTA, TRB, Mpact, and WTS.
Mentor and develop technical and operational staff across regional offices, fostering collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
Contribute to internal knowledge sharing and operational best‑practice frameworks.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Transportation, Civil Engineering, Urban Planning, Public Administration, or related discipline.
Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in transit or rail operations management, planning, or consulting.
Demonstrated success leading complex, multi‑agency operational initiatives or service startups.
Strong understanding of FTA/FRA regulations, safety management systems (SMS), and O&M practices.
Proven client relationship skills with the ability to communicate effectively at executive and technical levels.
Preferred Qualifications
Relevant professional certifications such as PMP, PE, AICP, or equivalent.
Experience with Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), Light Rail Transit (LRT), or commuter rail service activation and system testing.
Experience with NEPA‑to‑Operations transitions, FTA Small Starts/Capital Investment Grant projects, or value engineering.
Experience leading teams within a consulting or design‑build environment.
Benefits
Hybrid (in‑person and remote) work environment.
Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, pet insurance, medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
Tax‑deferred 401(k) savings plan.
Competitive paid‑time‑off (PTO) accrual.
Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
Commitment to professional development, internal and external training programs, and support for active participation in professional organizations.
Incentive compensation for eligible positions.
About GFT At GFT, a privately held AEC firm, we innovate where transportation, water, power, and buildings converge. We call this the Infrastructure of Life. We measure our success by the strength of our relationships – that’s why we’re the employer of choice for over 5,000 of the industry’s brightest engineers, planners, architects, inspectors, designers, and more.
Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our nimble approach, creativity, and personal touch. Backed by over a century’s experience, together we’re building a lasting legacy for future generations: stronger communities, a healthier planet, and better lives.
GFT: Ingenuity That Shapes Lives™
Equal Opportunity Employer GFT is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans’ status, or other characteristics protected by law.
Unsolicited Resumes Unsolicited resumes from third‑party agencies will be considered the property of GFT.
Background Check GFT requires the successful completion of a criminal background check for all advertised positions.
California Applicants Applicants in the County of Los Angeles: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.
Applicants in the City of San Francisco: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Applicants in the State of California: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act.
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Pay: $270,000 - $365,000 per year.
Location: North America
Employment Status: Full-Time
Core Business Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Base Pay Range: $270,000.00/yr - $365,000.00/yr
Responsibilities
Lead the operational consulting portfolio, including service delivery analysis, operations planning, and quality management.
Act as a senior advisor to transit agencies on operational readiness for new or expanded BRT, LRT, and commuter rail corridors.
Develop and implement performance metrics and staffing strategies aligned with project portfolio delivery.
Ensure operational integration across planning, design, and startup phases, aligning engineering and systems expertise with real-world operating needs.
Oversee multidisciplinary project teams delivering transit and rail operations support, ensuring quality, compliance, and schedule performance.
Serve as Deputy Project Manager or Principal-in-Charge on key pursuits and contracts.
Provide QA/QC review of deliverables, ensuring adherence to an ISO‑aligned Quality Management System.
Support project risk management, change control, and contract compliance activities.
Support the Transit & Rail Director in executing a North American growth plan, identifying and pursuing new opportunities with transit agencies, DOTs, and rail operators.
Develop winning proposal strategies, scope frameworks, and pricing approaches for operations‑related pursuits.
Represent the firm in industry forums, panels, and conferences such as APTA, TRB, Mpact, and WTS.
Mentor and develop technical and operational staff across regional offices, fostering collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
Contribute to internal knowledge sharing and operational best‑practice frameworks.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Transportation, Civil Engineering, Urban Planning, Public Administration, or related discipline.
Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in transit or rail operations management, planning, or consulting.
Demonstrated success leading complex, multi‑agency operational initiatives or service startups.
Strong understanding of FTA/FRA regulations, safety management systems (SMS), and O&M practices.
Proven client relationship skills with the ability to communicate effectively at executive and technical levels.
Preferred Qualifications
Relevant professional certifications such as PMP, PE, AICP, or equivalent.
Experience with Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), Light Rail Transit (LRT), or commuter rail service activation and system testing.
Experience with NEPA‑to‑Operations transitions, FTA Small Starts/Capital Investment Grant projects, or value engineering.
Experience leading teams within a consulting or design‑build environment.
Benefits
Hybrid (in‑person and remote) work environment.
Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, pet insurance, medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
Tax‑deferred 401(k) savings plan.
Competitive paid‑time‑off (PTO) accrual.
Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
Commitment to professional development, internal and external training programs, and support for active participation in professional organizations.
Incentive compensation for eligible positions.
About GFT At GFT, a privately held AEC firm, we innovate where transportation, water, power, and buildings converge. We call this the Infrastructure of Life. We measure our success by the strength of our relationships – that’s why we’re the employer of choice for over 5,000 of the industry’s brightest engineers, planners, architects, inspectors, designers, and more.
Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our nimble approach, creativity, and personal touch. Backed by over a century’s experience, together we’re building a lasting legacy for future generations: stronger communities, a healthier planet, and better lives.
GFT: Ingenuity That Shapes Lives™
Equal Opportunity Employer GFT is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans’ status, or other characteristics protected by law.
Unsolicited Resumes Unsolicited resumes from third‑party agencies will be considered the property of GFT.
Background Check GFT requires the successful completion of a criminal background check for all advertised positions.
California Applicants Applicants in the County of Los Angeles: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.
Applicants in the City of San Francisco: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Applicants in the State of California: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act.
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