About this role
What You Will Do:
GFT is seeking a Principal Project Manager to join our Traffic Operations Team in Raleigh, NC ! This role follows a hybrid work model, requiring regular attendance at our Raleigh office.
As a Principal Project Manager, Traffic Operations , you will lead the delivery and growth of GFT's traffic operations, ITS, and TSMO services throughout North Carolina and the Southeast. This role combines project management, technical leadership, client engagement, and business development, providing the opportunity to shape transportation systems that improve safety, mobility, and reliability across the region.
In this capacity, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following:
- Lead and manage traffic operations, ITS, traffic engineering, and TSMO projects from planning through implementation and construction support.
- Serve as Project Manager for complex, multidisciplinary transportation projects, ensuring successful delivery of scope, schedule, budget, and quality objectives.
- Provide technical leadership for traffic signal systems, corridor operations, transportation technologies, ITS deployments, and operational improvement initiatives.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with NCDOT, municipalities, MPOs, and other transportation clients.
- Lead business development efforts, including strategic planning, proposal preparation, presentations, and project pursuits.
- Identify opportunities to expand GFT's traffic operations practice and strengthen our presence throughout North Carolina and the Southeast.
- Mentor and develop engineering staff while fostering a collaborative, high-performing team environment.
- Coordinate with roadway, planning, construction, and other multidisciplinary teams to deliver integrated transportation solutions.
- Oversee preparation and review of technical reports, engineering documents, cost estimates, and project deliverables.
- Support operational assessments, traffic studies, and system performance evaluations to develop innovative mobility and safety solutions.
Education | Experience:
What you'll bring to our firm:
- Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
- Professional Engineer (PE) license in North Carolina or ability to obtain North Carolina licensure through reciprocity.
- 15+ years of experience in traffic operations, traffic engineering, ITS, or transportation systems management and operations.
- Demonstrated success managing complex transportation projects and multidisciplinary teams.
- Experience working with NCDOT and local transportation agencies.
- Strong client relationship, business development, and project management skills.
- Knowledge of traffic operations, ITS technologies, signal systems, and transportation industry standards.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
What we prefer you bring:
- PTOE certification.
- Experience leading TSMO programs and major ITS initiatives.
- Traffic signal timing and corridor operations expertise.
- Established relationships with transportation agencies and stakeholders throughout North Carolina.
- Proven success winning and delivering transportation projects.
Featured Benefits: Hybrid (in-person and remote) work environment. Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance. Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan. Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual. Tuition reimbursement for continued education. Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations Incentive compensation for eligible positions.
Company Overview:
At GFT, a privately held AEC firm, we innovate where transportation, water, power, and buildings converge. We call this the Infrastructure of Life. We measure our success by the strength of our relationships – thats why were the employer of choice for 5,000+ of the industrys brightest engineers, planners, architects, inspectors, designers, and more.
Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our nimble approach, creativity, and personal touch. Backed by over a centurys experience, together were building a lasting legacy for future generations: stronger communities, a healthier planet, and better lives.
GFT: Ingenuity That Shapes Lives is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans status or other characteristics protected by law.
Unsolicited resumes from third party agencies will be considered the property GFT.
GFT does require the successful completion of a criminal background check for all advertised positions.
Location: Raleigh, NC
Core Business Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Employment Status: Full-Time
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