Senior Project Manager - Rail & Transit Architecture

RAIL & TRANSIT ARCHITECTURE PRACTICE

Michael Baker creates passenger-focused rail and transit facilities that connect people, communities and transportation networks. Our integrated architecture and engineering teams plan and design intercity and commuter rail stations, multimodal centers, light rail and BRT stations, bus and maintenance facilities, and transit administration buildings.

From modernizing active stations to developing new facilities, we integrate architecture, engineering, accessibility, sustainability and transit operations to create safe, welcoming environments that enhance the passenger experience, support reliable operations and deliver lasting value.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Michael Baker International is seeking an experienced, growth-oriented Senior Project Manager to lead rail and transit architecture pursuits and project delivery in the Chicago market while helping establish and grow a local architecture office. This highly visible leadership role combines client development, project execution, team building, and office leadership, supported by Michael Baker’s integrated national architecture, engineering, and transportation expertise.

This opportunity is ideal for a credentialed architect and seller-doer who can translate established relationships with Chicago-area transit agencies into a sustainable pipeline of work. The successful candidate will lead complex, multi-disciplinary projects, strengthen relationships with Metra, Chicago Transit Authority, and other Great Lakes transportation clients, recruit and mentor a high-performing local team, and create a collaborative Chicago presence that connects seamlessly with Michael Baker’s national practice.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage project scope, schedule, budget, staffing, quality, risk, and client expectations to achieve strong technical and financial performance.

• Develop project work plans and mobilize the best resources across local, regional, and geographically dispersed teams.

• Serve as the local architecture leader in Chicago, maintaining a visible in-person presence (approximately three days per week) and building an inclusive, collaborative, and accountable office culture.

• Develop and execute a Chicago rail and transit architecture growth plan, including target clients, priority pursuits, teaming strategies, and near- and long-term staffing needs.

• Identify, evaluate, and advance opportunities; lead capture planning; shape win strategies; and contribute to compelling proposals, interviews, and negotiations.

• Recruit, mentor, and retain architectural talent as workload grows, establishing a scalable local team supported by national technical and design resources.

• Collaborate with operations, market leaders, and technical teams to align Chicago growth, staffing, project execution, and financial performance with broader business goals.

• Represent Michael Baker in client meetings, transit-industry organizations, civic and professional networks, and other market-facing activities that elevate the firm’s visibility in Chicago.

• Model a strong seller-doer culture by pairing trusted client leadership and business development with accountable project delivery.

• Advance innovative, passenger-focused design solutions using BIM, digital delivery, and emerging technologies while meeting the operational, accessibility, schedule, and budget requirements of active transit environments.

Required Qualifications

• Active Illinois Professional Architect license, or the ability to obtain Illinois licensure within a mutually agreed period, required.

• Bachelor’s degree in architecture from an accredited program required; advanced degree preferred.

• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience leading architectural teams and complex, multi-disciplinary projects.

• Demonstrated experience managing projects for Metra and/or Chicago Transit Authority; established relationships within the Chicago transit market are strongly preferred.

• Proven success developing and winning transportation-focused architecture work in Chicago or the Great Lakes region.

• Demonstrated success in project management, client engagement, business development, and pursuit leadership.

• Strong financial acumen, including experience managing fees, staffing, project performance, forecasting, and risk.

• Experience building, mentoring, or growing a local team or office is strongly preferred.

• Working knowledge of BIM, digital delivery, Revit, and emerging AI-enabled design tools; proficiency with Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Bluebeam.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to maintain a consistent in-person leadership presence in the Chicago office and travel regionally as needed (approximately 20%).

• PMP, LEED AP preferred.

Why Join Michael Baker International

At Michael Baker, you will have the platform to shape the next chapter of our rail and transit architecture practice in Chicago. You will combine the entrepreneurial opportunity to establish a local architecture presence with the strength of a national, multi-disciplinary firm. The role offers direct influence over market strategy, client relationships, team development, and the delivery of passenger-focused facilities that serve communities across Chicago, the Great Lakes region, and beyond.

Compensation

The approximate compensation range for this position is $122,000 to $212,000 annually. This compensation range is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Actual compensation is dependent upon factors such as education, qualifications, experience, skillset, and physical work location.