Bridge Design Lead, Rail and Transit

Arcadis is the world’s leading company delivering sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural and built assets. We are more than 34,000 people, in over 30 countries, dedicated to improving quality of life. Everyone has an important role to play. With the power of many curious minds, together we can solve the world’s most complex challenges and deliver more impact together.

Role description

We are seeking a Bridge Design Lead with a strong focus on rail bridge (freight and passenger) design . You will use your knowledge and understanding of structural bridge engineering, railway loading requirements, and freight rail design and construction methods to manage and successfully deliver multidisciplinary bridge analysis, rehabilitation, and design projects for both private and public sector clients, from planning through to detailed design stages and into construction.

Role accountabilities

In this role, you will be responsible for producing, supervising, and managing the creation of engineering design products for a diverse portfolio of freight rail bridge rehabilitation, replacement, and new design projects, ranging from small to large scale. Your focus will be to ensure that all work meets and exceeds customer quality requirements, while addressing the unique structural, operational, constructability, and safety demands associated with freight rail infrastructure, guiding projects from concept development through detailed design and construction support.

Central to your responsibilities will be leading a team to define design criteria, establish the work scope, prepare budgets and schedules, plan the work, and provide technical direction and oversight throughout each phase.

You will also be hands‑on in performing complex technical engineering design tasks, ensuring efficiency and accuracy in all deliverables. This includes preparing and checking detailed engineering calculations, structural analysis models, drawings, specifications, quantities, cost estimates, and technical reports for freight rail bridge structures and associated components.

Additionally, you will provide technical engineering services during construction by reviewing shop drawings and contractor submissions, responding to RFIs, coordinating with other engineering disciplines, and maintaining strong working relationships with clients and freight rail stakeholders.

A key aspect of your role will involve undertaking engineering assessments of existing complex freight rail bridges and other rail‑related structures to support rehabilitation and design development. You will coordinate and lead technical investigations, work with inspection teams and specialized sub‑consultants, provide recommendations for strengthening, renewal, and replacement, and complete life cycle cost analyses to inform design decision‑making and support long‑term asset performance.

Beyond technical work, you will take a leading role in project pursuits, which includes determining budget estimates, assessing staffing requirements, and writing compelling, successful proposals to secure new work in the freight rail bridge design market.

The successful candidate will also be expected to perform Project Management duties, such as assembling and managing project teams, controlling project budgets and schedules, and ensuring the quality of all deliverables. You will be responsible for maintaining client relationships, managing financial reporting, and ensuring compliance with all applicable codes, standards, and railway-specific regulations. Throughout, you will work to tight project schedules, provide input and technical guidance to CAD Designer/Drafters, Designers, and less experienced engineers, and support the growth and development of your team across multiple freight rail bridge design projects.

Qualifications & Experience

• 4-year degree in Civil or Structural Engineering from a recognized post‑secondary institution
• 10+ years progressive rail bridge engineering design experience
• Strong communication, interpersonal, problem‑solving, and collaborative skills
• Ability to provide effective technical mentoring to less experienced engineers
• Must be a licensed Professional Engineer in Ontario, Alberta or BC
• Technical knowledge of bridge engineering design and analysis principles
• Excellent technical report writing experience and skills
• Proficiency in 3D modelling analysis software (CSI Bridge or MIDAS Civil) is a must

The salary range for this position is $109,000 - $159,000. The base salary represents Arcadis’ hiring range for this position. Actual salaries will vary and will be based on various factors, such as location, skills, experience, and qualification for the role.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are an equal‑opportunity and affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. We are dedicated to a policy of non‑discrimination in employment on any basis including race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by law.