Lead Network Engineer - Washington DC, Phila, Wilmington, Chicago

Your success is a train ride away!

As we move America’s workforce toward the future, Amtrak connects businesses and communities across the country. We employ more than 20,000 diverse, energetic professionals in a variety of career fields throughout the United States. The safety of our passengers, our employees, the public and our operating environment is our priority, and the success of our railroad is due to our employees.

Are you ready to join our team?

Our values of ‘Do the Right Thing, Excel Together and Put Customers First’ are at the heart of what matters most to us, and our Core Capabilities, ‘Building Trust, Accountability, Effective Communication, Customer Focus, and Proactive Safety & Security’ are what every employee needs to know and do to be most impactful at Amtrak. By living the Amtrak values, focusing on our capabilities, and actively embracing and fostering diverse ideas, backgrounds, and perspectives, together we will honor our past and make Amtrak a company of the future.

Job Summary

The Digital Lead Engineer is a senior-level technical expert who plays a critical role in shaping solution design, guiding engineering execution, and ensuring architectural compliance across multiple teams or domains. As a Lead Digital Engineer, the individual serves as a key technical leader who blends deep domain expertise with the ability to influence engineering direction, align cross-functional teams, and ensure high-quality operational outcomes.

The position will be responsible for supporting daily Network IT operations, including end-user and customer support in a 24/7 operational environment. Works with Project managers to support the process flow, delivery and execution of all Network Services projects. Support the resolution of all issues related to these systems.

Essential Functions

• Troubleshoot and evaluate existing systems, applications, and networks, proposing solutions against decision criteria.
• Coordinate and resolve escalated support issues from senior personnel or service providers, providing technical guidance.
• Offer technical expertise across business functions, identifying opportunities for process improvement through technology.
• Provides project/program managers, product owners, and stakeholders with technical consultation and advice, enabling quick responses to inquiries related to work assignments.
• Provides technical analysis to help define, assess, and monitor key technical aspects of programs, projects, or services.
• Reviews proposed designs at key milestones and approves additional efforts.
• Lead efforts to troubleshoot networks to identify errors or deficiencies.
• Leads the resolution of support issues escalated by senior operations, development personnel or service provider personnel.
• Identifies opportunities to improve network resiliency and redundancy via new technologies.
• Evaluates, tests, recommends, and implements specific network solutions (e.g., Software-Defined Networking).

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field and 6+ years of engineering experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of enterprise networking platforms (e.g., Cisco).
• Demonstrated technical knowledge in the areas of Network Performance Optimization, Network Access and IP Management, Wireless and Mobile Technologies.
• Hands-on experience with routing and switching protocols including OSPF, BGP, VLANs, and STP.
• Experience configuring and supporting enterprise Wi‑Fi networks.
• Ability to troubleshoot wireless client and performance issues.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or advanced study in engineering or architecture.
• Plus 9 years of relevant work experience in Network Infrastructure & other related IT areas
• Experience with Cisco Meraki Dashboard, including configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting of wireless and network infrastructure
• Cisco Certifications (e.g., CCNA)
• Experience using Git-based version control systems (e.g., GitHub) for managing network configurations, scripts, and documentation.
• Experience writing and maintaining scripts using Python or PowerShell to automate network tasks and operational workflows.
• Hands-on use of Wi‑Fi assessment/survey tools (e.g., Ekahau, NetAlly/AirMagnet, Hamina).
• Understanding of RF fundamentals (RSSI, SNR, interference, channel planning).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; collaborative team player; self-motivated
• Advanced knowledge of relevant technologies, systems, and methodologies; stays updated on emerging trends
• Skilled in analyzing complex technical issues, making sound decisions, and implementing effective problem resolution strategies

The salary/hourly range is $103,700.00 – $134,460.00. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, etc. Depending on an employee’s assigned worksite or location, Amtrak may consider a geo-pay differential to be applied to the employee’s base salary. Amtrak may offer additional incentive and pay programs to recognize and reward our employees, including a short-term incentive bonus based upon factors such as individual and company performance that is commensurate with the level of the position.

Learn more about our benefits offerings here.

Requisition ID: 167025

Work Arrangement: 06-Onsite 4/5 Days Click here for more information about work arrangements at Amtrak.
Relocation Offered: No
Travel Requirements: Up to 25%

You power our progress through your performance.

We want your work at Amtrak to be more than a job. We want your career at Amtrak to be a fulfilling experience where you find challenging work, rewarding opportunities, respect among colleagues, and attractive compensation. Amtrak maintains a culture that values high performance and recognizes individual employee contributions.

Amtrak is committed to a safe workplace free of drugs and alcohol. All Amtrak positions requires a pre-employment background check that includes prior employment verification, a criminal history check and a pre-employment drug screen.

Candidates who test positive for marijuana will be disqualified, regardless of any state or local statute, ordinance, regulation, or other law that legalizes or decriminalizes the use or possession of marijuana, whether for medical, recreational, or other use. Amtrak's pre-employment drug testing program is administered in accordance with DOT regulations and applicable law.

In accordance with DOT regulations (49 CFR § 40.25), Amtrak is required to obtain prior drug and alcohol testing records for applicants/employees intending to perform safety-sensitive duties for covered Department of Transportation positions. If an applicant/employee refuses to provide written consent for Amtrak to obtain these records, the individual will not be permitted to perform safety-sensitive functions.

In accordance with federal law governing security checks of covered individuals for providers of public transportation (Title 6 U.S.C. §1143), Amtrak is required to screen applicants for any permanent or interim disqualifying criminal offenses.

Note that any education requirement listed above may be deemed satisfied if you have an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Amtrak is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race/color, to include traits historically associated with race, including but not limited to, hair texture and hairstyles such as braids, locks and twists, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions, such as lactation), national origin/ethnicity, disability (intellectual, mental and physical), veteran status, marital status, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, genetic information, citizenship or any other personal characteristics protected by law.