Project Manager, Communications

Description

The company is hiring a Project Manager, Communications for its Sacramento, CA office. The role is on-site.

The role oversees delivery of operational telecommunications systems on a major transportation infrastructure project, from design through procurement, construction, testing, commissioning, and handover to operations. Systems include fiber optic backbone, operational telecom, IP/MPLS, Operations Control Center communications, wayside and maintenance radio, dispatch, public address, CCTV transport networks, cybersecurity interfaces, and integrated communications and control.

You report to the Rail Systems Lead and manage scope, schedule, budget, risk, and contractor performance. You also coordinate with signaling, traction power, SCADA, stations, operations, and maintenance, and oversee suppliers, contractors, consultants, and telecom service providers.

The role includes FCC licensing, frequency coordination, spectrum management, interference analysis, regulatory approvals, and integrated testing. Travel is approximately 25, 50% along the project alignment across the Central Valley, California.

The company is a Fortune 500 global infrastructure consulting firm with $16.1 billion in revenue for fiscal year 2025 and over 50,000 staff, working in water, environment, energy, transportation, and buildings.

Responsibilities

• Oversee communications systems from design through commissioning and handover to operations.
• Manage scope, schedule, budget, risk, and contractor performance for communications work packages.
• Coordinate delivery with the communications, signaling, traction power, SCADA, stations, operations, and maintenance teams.
• Oversee communications suppliers, contractors, consultants, and telecom service providers.
• Oversee delivery and integration of fiber optic backbone, operational telecom, and IP/MPLS networks.
• Oversee delivery and integration of Operations Control Center communications, wayside radio, maintenance radio, and dispatch systems.
• Oversee delivery and integration of public address, CCTV transport networks, cybersecurity interfaces, and integrated operational communications and control systems.
• Oversee FCC licensing and frequency coordination for operational railway communications.
• Oversee statutory, regulatory, and jurisdictional approvals for radio transmission systems, communications infrastructure, towers, antennas, equipment shelters, and communications facilities.
• Work with regulators, telecom providers, public agencies, and local jurisdictions to secure the approvals needed for construction and operation.
• Support radio frequency planning, spectrum allocation, interference analysis, and coverage validation.
• Oversee responses to regulator comments, agency reviews, and approval conditions until final authorization.
• Oversee test plans, commissioning procedures, and integrated testing, including Factory Acceptance Testing, Site Acceptance Testing, System Integration Testing, radio coverage testing, and trial running.
• Coordinate integrated testing with signaling, traction power, SCADA, stations, and operational control systems. Manage defect resolution, corrective actions, and final system acceptance.
• Support reporting, forecasting, change management, stakeholder engagement, revenue service demonstration, and operational handover.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (BA or BS) plus 8 years of relevant experience, or demonstrated equivalent experience and/or education.
• Preferred: Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent on-the-job experience.
• Preferred: Demonstrated experience managing communications systems from design through testing, commissioning, and final acceptance.
• Preferred: Experience overseeing contractors, suppliers, and multidisciplinary delivery teams.
• Preferred: Strong working knowledge of systems integration and operational railway communications.
• Preferred: Experience managing fiber optic backbone networks, IP networking, and mission-critical communications infrastructure.
• Preferred: Experience managing radio delivery, including frequency planning, coverage validation, and interference assessment.
• Preferred: Experience securing regulatory, statutory, and jurisdictional approvals for communications infrastructure.
• Preferred: Experience managing integrated testing across multiple systems disciplines.
• Preferred: Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Preferred: Experience on high-speed rail projects operating above 125 mph (200 km/h).
• Preferred: Experience with California High-Speed Rail, HS2, European rail programs, or comparable large-scale rail programs.
• Preferred: Experience delivering wayside radio, maintenance radio, dispatch communications, or mission-critical communications systems.
• Preferred: Familiarity with FCC licensing requirements and U.S. telecommunications regulations.
• Preferred: Experience with fiber optic backbone networks, IP/MPLS, LTE, private wireless networks, or FRMCS.
• Preferred: Experience managing regulatory approvals, communications licensing, and entry into revenue service.
• Preferred: Budget and schedule accountability on contracts valued at $100 million or greater.
• Preferred: PMP, PRINCE2, PE, or comparable project management or engineering certification.
• Preferred: At least 10 years of experience delivering telecommunications, operational communications, or rail systems projects.
• Preferred: At least 10 years of project management experience on major transportation or infrastructure programs.

Conditions

Based in the Sacramento, CA office, on-site.

Travel of approximately 25, 50% along the project alignment across the Central Valley, California.

Visa sponsorship is provided for this role.

Relocation is provided for this role.

You must attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at a company office as a condition of employment.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and keeps all applicant information confidential under EEO guidelines.

Benefits

• Benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability coverage, depending on employment status.
• Paid time off, leaves of absence, and service recognition awards.
• Voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, and an employee assistance program.
• Business travel insurance.
• Retirement savings plan and employee stock purchase plan.
• Relocation support, as noted in the conditions.