Senior Trackwork Inspector (Transit/Rail Infrastructure)

Senior Trackwork Inspector (Transit / Rail Infrastructure)

Brudis & Associates, Inc. is seeking a Senior Trackwork Inspector to support the Construction Management and Inspection Department on the upcoming Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) Statewide Capital Construction program. This role serves as a critical quality assurance and safety watch in a statewide capacity across diverse rail modes, including Metro Subway, Light Rail, MARC Commuter Rail, and regional freight corridors under MTA jurisdiction.   

The successful candidate will be proposed as Key Staff on the MDOT MTA On-Call Construction Management & Inspection contract and will be responsible for ensuring that all track components, alignments, geometric configurations, and installations adhere strictly to MTA standards, design specifications, and AREMA (American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association) guidelines.

Responsibilities:

• Field Inspection: Perform comprehensive on-site inspections of trackwork installations, including ballast, ties (wood and concrete), fasteners, joint bars, continuous welded rail (CWR), turnouts, crossings, and special trackwork.


• Compliance Verification: Monitor contractor execution for compliance with approved contract drawings, specifications, submittals, and transit agency safety regulations.


• Geometry & Alignment Testing: Observe and verify track geometry parameters, including gauge, cross level, alignment, profile, and superelevation using manual gauges and specialized measurement systems.


• Documentation & Reporting: Prepare detailed daily inspector reports (DIRs), tracking labor hours, equipment usage, material deliveries, and localized field conditions. Document non-compliance issues and track corrective actions through completion.


• Testing Oversight: Witness and document field testing operations, including non-destructive testing (NDT) of rail welds (thermite and flash-butt), ballast compaction tests, and track stability assessments.


• Safety Coordination: Actively enforce roadway worker protection (RWP) protocols and coordinate field activities with agency flaggers to maintain absolute safety within active rail right-of-ways.

Required Minimum Qualifications (MTA Key Staff Requirements):

To be approved as Key Staff for this agency program, candidates must meet the following baseline parameters:

• Experience: Minimum of five (5) years of documented experience directly in trackwork inspection, rail construction management, or transit rail maintenance.


• Education: High school diploma or equivalent; supplementary technical certifications or an Associate's degree in Civil Engineering Technology is preferred.


• Regulatory Knowledge: Deep familiarity with AREMA standards, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Track Safety Standards (49 CFR Part 213), and standard transit operating rules.


• Physical Capability: Ability to walk long distances along active rail right-of-ways, work in varied outdoor weather conditions, and perform inspections during night/weekend maintenance windows when required.


• Valid Driver’s License: Required for travel to statewide project sites.

Preferred Skills & Certifications:

• Prior experience working directly on MDOT MTA, WMATA, or Amtrak rail infrastructure.


• Active or recent Roadway Worker Protection (RWP) certification.


• Certification in specialized rail inspection disciplines (e.g., AWS Certified Welding Inspector or NDT Level II certifications for ultrasonic rail testing).


• Proficiency with digital construction management tools (e.g., e-Builder, Procore, or agency-specific logging software).

Salary Range:  $30.00/hr to $45.00/hr

Position Type: Full-Time / Contract (On-Call State Transit Systems)

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Benefits

This position has excellent potential for career advancement. We proudly offer an attractive salary package commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, tuition reimbursement, company health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurances as well as a 401k plan with company matching.