Railroad Signal Engineering Assistant
Simply Put, A Great Place to Work
Benesch is a growing, multi-disciplined planning, engineering, and professional services firm. We enhance infrastructure and communities across the country – creating spaces and providing connections in ways that make a difference.
We pride ourselves on being nimble enough to remain responsive to client needs yet large enough to offer exceptional bench strength. As a member of our team, you’ll have an opportunity to draw from those resources when you need them and, likewise, contribute your expertise when you have something to share.
At Benesch, we are looking for candidates with varied backgrounds and worldviews. Diverse ideas come from diverse people, and we are committed to offering an inclusive work environment where everyone feels valued and respected. Statistics show that women and underrepresented groups are less likely to apply for a position if they don’t meet 100% of the qualifications. If this statement resonates with you, don’t be so hard on yourself—apply for the job!
Railroad Signal Engineering Assistant
We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Railroad Signal Engineering Assistant to support public infrastructure projects impacting freight rail operations. This position works directly under the supervision of a Public Project Engineer, assisting with the coordination, review, and management of signal-related tasks across multiple projects in various states. The ideal candidate will have a foundational understanding of railroad signal systems, strong organizational skills, and the ability to multitask in a fast-paced, multi-stakeholder environment.
Location
This position will offer a hybrid schedule that includes working at our Benesch Jacksonville Rail office, our client’s office, and the option for work-from-home days. This arrangement is designed to help build a strong relationship with our Jacksonville railroad team while supporting our commitment to work/life balance.
The Impact You Will Have
- Develop and review signal engineering plans, specifications, and estimates for public rail projects.
- Ensure compliance with applicable standards, including FRA, AREMA, MUTCD, and railroad-specific guidelines.
- Monitoring and tracking mandatory in-service dates to ensure timely delivery and activation of signal installations.
- Review signal material lists for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with project specifications and railroad standards.
- Support the coordination and management of multiple signal projects across various states, maintaining accurate documentation and status updates.
- Coordinate with internal teams, railroad management, public agencies, contractors, and other stakeholders to facilitate smooth project execution and resolve issues.
- Preparing cost estimates and justifications for design changes required to protect and accommodate existing railroad signal infrastructure.
- Maintain organized records and logs related to project schedules, material orders, communications, and engineering changes.
What You Will Need
- Associate degree or Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related field (or equivalent work experience).
- 3–5 years of experience in railroad signal work, transportation engineering, or public infrastructure projects.
- Familiarity with FRA regulations, AREMA standards, and railroad company design guidelines.
- Familiarity with railroad signal components and basic signal design principles.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook) and basic CAD tools.
- Strong organizational, time management, and communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple assignments and shifting priorities across different jurisdictions.
- Professional Engineer (PE) license or Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification.
- Experience working with or for Class I railroads or on public agency rail projects.
- Exposure to Positive Train Control (PTC) systems and grade crossing warning systems is a plus.
- Experience with project tracking tools or databases (e.g., project dashboards, and asset management systems) is a plus.
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Explore the Benefits of Working at Benesch!
At Benesch, we prioritize the health and wellness of our employees, understanding that their well-being is crucial for both personal and professional success. We offer a range of benefits for eligible employees, including insurance, retirement plans, and wellness programs. Our Total Rewards package is designed to support a healthy lifestyle and can be customized to meet the needs of our employees and their families. Click here to learn more about some of the benefits of working at Benesch!
Professional Development
- Opportunities for management and leadership development at all levels, including executive coaching and leadership development for Team Leaders, Group Managers, Division Managers, and Executive Leaders
- Tuition reimbursement for job-related courses
- Ongoing professional development through resources like Red Vector, LinkedIn Learning, technical team meetings, knowledge-sharing training sessions
- Personalized training and career development plans with your manager
- Funding for training, committee work, professional organization memberships, and licenses/certifications
- Support for active participation in professional organizations to foster leadership and community engagement
Retirement Benefits
- Access to valuable retirement planning tools, education, and individual meetings with plan advisors at no charge
- Potential for Benesch to contribute up to 9% of your gross compensation to your retirement plan (5% profit-sharing contribution to your 401(k) plan, regardless of your own contributions & 80% match on your contributions, up to a maximum company contribution of 4%)
Work/Life Balance
- Flexible work schedules and hours, including work-from-home options (dependent on the role)
- Generous Paid Time Benefits (PTB) that increase with your career
- Immediate use of annual PTB; no accrual needed with the ability to bundle time-off plans for extended vacations or life events
- Ten days of paid parental leave for birth, adoption, or foster placement
Employee Engagement
- At Benesch, we encourage our team members to extend their impact beyond their core responsibilities. Join our employee resource groups and committees to enhance your work-life balance and contribute to our community-focused initiatives. We support a variety of programs including community service, student scholarships, and matching gift opportunities, reflecting our commitment to a vibrant and diverse workplace.
If you are based in California, we encourage you to read this important information for California residents linked here.
Benesch is an Equal Employment Opportunity/ Affirmative Action/ Disability/ Protected Veteran Employer. Qualified applicants are evaluated without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation or belief, sexual orientation, age, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic. For more information about your EEO rights as an applicant under the law, please download the below documents:
Know your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal
For more information about pay transparency, please download the below document:
Pay Transparency Policy Statement
We will be accepting applications on an ongoing basis until a candidate is found.
Benesch is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with a physical disability or other impairment.
If you are limited in your ability or are unable to access Benesch's Careers website due to a physical disability or other impairment, you may request a reasonable accommodation by emailing TalentAcquisition@benesch.com. This option is only available to those in need of an accommodation due to a disability or other impairment. Please do not use this as an alternative method for general inquiries or status on applications, as you will not receive a response. Reasonable requests will be responded to as soon as possible on a case-by-case basis.
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