Principal Project Manager

What You Will Do

GFT is seeking a Principal Project Manager to join our Transportation group in Raleigh, NC! This role follows a hybrid work model, requiring regular attendance at our Raleigh, NC office.

Working on the Transportation team at GFT offers the opportunity to engage in transformative projects that enhance transportation infrastructure and improve community connectivity. Whether working on highways and bridges or traffic engineering, our team excels in resilient, sustainable design and construction, delivering innovative solutions that address the complexities of modern, multimodal roadway systems and ensure safe, efficient, and reliable travel for all.

Explore some of our signature Transportation projects here.

The successful candidate will be responsible for understanding the application of engineering fundamentals on transportation engineering or related projects for a variety of clients, particularly federal, state, municipal, and private sector clients. The role requires strong listening and communication skills, the ability to manage complex projects to assure quality, ensure conformance with plans, specifications, and contract documents, manage project personnel and subconsultants, and perform contract administration.

The ideal candidate is motivated, eager to learn, a team player, and takes pride in their work.

• Manage the financial performance of each assigned project, including monthly earnings, monthly invoicing, AR collections from assigned clients, and participation in monthly project reviews with senior management.
• Serve as project manager for individual projects.
• Manage assigned project elements, which may involve structures, roadways, other transportation facilities and building assets.
• Lead or assist with planning, designing, permitting, and coordinating projects.
• Participate in preparing and managing project budgets and schedules.
• Attend and lead various meetings as needed related to assigned projects to resolve project related questions and to coordinate work.
• Focus on quality and ensure QA/QC procedures are followed.
• Analyze and interpret project plans and specifications.
• Interpret unclear contract language.
• Supervise subordinate staff.
• Assess and recruit staff.
• Communicate effectively and resolve problems.
• Provide subject matter expertise and technical support to project teams.
• Lead pursuit phase of project, including writing of technical approaches.
• Make independent decisions on engineering problems and methods.
• Support Project Managers or Senior Project Engineers to achieve client expectations.
• Ensure accuracy of engineering design and deliverables; quality presentation, thoroughness and follow-through, and efficient conformance to budgets, schedules, and company standards.
• Coordinate preparation of plans, specifications, quantities, and cost estimates for various transportation projects.
• Solve engineering problems and pay attention to detail.
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, and participating in professional societies.
• Perform in a team environment with other project managers, engineers, and technical staff; ask questions, share knowledge, and mentor less experienced staff as needed.

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from an accredited university
• 20 years of relevant experience
• Licensed Professional Engineer
• Ability to learn and thrive in a fast‑paced environment
• Actively engages multiple perspectives when solving problems, seeks to learn from peers, and encourages reciprocal learning among team members.
• Actively advocates for full inclusion in the workplace, fostering an environment that welcomes diversity and values equity for all employees, partners, clients, and the communities that GFT serves.

• Project management experience

The salary range for this role is $180,000–$190,000. Salary is dependent upon experience and geographic location.

• Hybrid (in‑person and remote) work environment.
• Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs,…