Senior Project Manager – Rail & Transit Architecture

Michael Baker International

. Lead rail and transit architecture pursuits and project delivery in the Chicago market .

Posted 11/6/2026full-timeChicago • Illinois • United StatesSenior💰 $122,000 - $212,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in leading architectural projects within the rail and transit sector, with a strong focus on client engagement, project management, and team development. Proficient in utilizing BIM and digital delivery tools to advance innovative design solutions while ensuring operational and budgetary compliance.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Active Illinois Professional Architect License10+ Years Leading Architectural TeamsProject Management for Metra/Chicago Transit AuthorityBIM and Digital Delivery ProficiencyBusiness Development in Transportation Architecture

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Project ManagementArchitectural DesignFinancial AcumenClient EngagementTeam LeadershipRisk ManagementProposal DevelopmentPursuit LeadershipAccessibility ComplianceMulti-Disciplinary Project Management

Soft Skills

Collaborative LeadershipMentoringInclusive Office CultureCommunicationNegotiation

Tools & Technologies

BIMRevitDigital Delivery ToolsMicrosoft OfficeAdobe Creative CloudBluebeam

Certifications & Qualifications

PMPLEED AP

Industry Keywords

Rail and Transit ArchitectureChicago Transit MarketTransportation-Focused ArchitectureGreat Lakes RegionClient MeetingsCivic and Professional Networks

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

CloudPMP

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead rail and transit architecture pursuits and project delivery in the Chicago market
Help establish and grow a local architecture office
Manage project scope, schedule, budget, staffing, quality, risk, and client expectations
Develop project work plans and mobilize resources across local, regional, and geographically dispersed teams
Serve as the local architecture leader in Chicago and build an inclusive, collaborative, accountable office culture
Develop and execute a Chicago rail and transit architecture growth plan
Identify, evaluate, and advance opportunities; lead capture planning; shape win strategies; and contribute to proposals, interviews, and negotiations
Recruit, mentor, and retain architectural talent
Collaborate with operations, market leaders, and technical teams on growth, staffing, project execution, and financial performance
Represent Michael Baker in client meetings, transit-industry organizations, civic and professional networks, and market-facing activities
Pair client leadership and business development with accountable project delivery
Advance passenger-focused design solutions using BIM, digital delivery, and emerging technologies while meeting operational, accessibility, schedule, and budget requirements

Requirements

What you’ll need

Active Illinois Professional Architect license, or ability to obtain Illinois licensure within a mutually agreed period
Bachelor’s degree in architecture from an accredited program required
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 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 strongly preferred
Working knowledge of BIM, digital delivery, Revit, and emerging AI-enabled design tools
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Bluebeam
Ability to maintain a consistent in-person leadership presence in the Chicago office
Ability to travel regionally as needed, approximately 20%
PMP and LEED AP preferred

Benefits

Comp & perks

Opportunity to establish and grow a local architecture office
Direct influence over market strategy, client relationships, team development, and project delivery
Work with a national, multi-disciplinary architecture, engineering, and transportation firm
Equal employment opportunity
Drug-free workplace
Ongoing application acceptance until the position is filled or no longer needed