Insights Four of the fastest-growing jobs in the US transportation market

The US relies on high-quality transportation networks, including road, rail, air and marine infrastructure, to enable connectivity for citizens. With the increasing population and requirement to provide for future generations, we are seeing changes in the global transportation industry. Inevitably, the US transportation market is growing, and with it, the number of transportation jobs.

Working in the transportation market is rewarding because upon completion of a project, you see its real-life impact on people and the economy. Transportation careers provide the opportunity to work in a dynamic environment that is always growing and changing. At AtkinsRéalis , we are enhancing careers in transportation with scope for continuous learning and development. We encourage our people to innovate, learn new skills, develop leadership qualities and challenge themselves in a thriving industry. Keep reading to find out more about the fastest-growing jobs in the US transportation market and how you can develop with a career at AtkinsRéalis .

Project management

Project management is a critical role in the transportation market. In order to be effective, a broad base of skills, capability and experience is desired. Project managers are responsible for planning, coordinating, and delivering complex transportation projects and, most importantly, ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget, and built to a high standard. In a dynamic market like US transportation, project managers lead diverse teams, build relationships with clients and stakeholders and manage and mitigate risk factors. Read more about how project managers add value here.

Civil engineering and planning

Civil engineers and planners are the lifeblood of transportation projects, designing, creating and enabling connectivity in communities across the country for the people who live and work in them. They therefore must be adept at problem solving and managing client expectations, so they can drive projects and programs forward in uncertain circumstances, such as adverse weather conditions with the changing climate.

Civil engineers often employ tools and technologies like building information modeling (BIM) and digital twins to improve accuracy, prevent waste and save time and cost. It is also used to map a project’s lifecycle and ensure resources are managed to improve efficiency. At Atkins, a member of the AtkinsRéalis Group, our engineers and designers are at the forefront of the technological revolution, performing all design digitally. We use BIM to help our clients upgrade and build new infrastructure and transportation solutions quickly and cost-effectively. On Project Neon, Nevada’s biggest infrastructure project to date, were required to provide designs that would enable the separation of mainstream freeway travel from local traffic, improving vehicle flow and enhancing safety. We therefore used BIM and specialized engineering software during the design stage, allowing us to work quickly and deliver more accurate solutions.

Project controls

Project controls is a fast-growing discipline offering opportunities for a rewarding and successful career, for which you can now gain a global certification with the Project Controls Institute. Professionals in this space contribute to transportation teams in many ways. As a Lead Project Controls Manager, for example, you can expect to be establishing, drafting and updating the work plan for your project with a project-specific work breakdown structure in line with industry best practices. Project controllers work with senior project management staff in managing the overall project cost control efforts, including mentoring other site staff.

Operations and maintenance

A PwC survey of 1,300 global CEOs showed that 77% of their main focus in driving revenue growth is to create operational efficiencies. As the transportation industry grows and becomes more complex, ensuring smooth processes is critical. An operations professional on a transportation project is therefore vital in planning, coordinating, and overseeing tasks, ensuring health and safety is adhered to at all levels. They must ensure the compliance and efficient performance of operations and maintenance within a designated area and lead or participate in the work plan each day, ensuring good housekeeping practices are followed throughout.

At AtkinsRéalis , we give our operations professionals learning and development opportunities to expand and fulfill their career potential, with safety and sustainability at the heart of all we do.

Develop your career in the US transportation market at Atkins

At AtkinsRéalis —as well as Atkins, Faithful+Gould and DTS, —we are all learning, developing and innovating. We’re always looking for fresh new talent in transportation roles, including engineering internships, project management roles and operations roles, to help us shape the future sustainably. We have numerous opportunities for professionals seeking transportation careers. If you are passionate about building transportation connectivity of the future, view our transportation jobs and apply today.