Head of Alignment Design (Railway Design Department)

Role & responsibilities

The Head of Alignment Design will lead the planning, development, and delivery of railway alignment designs across multiple projects. The role involves conceptualizing and finalizing horizontal and vertical alignments, ensuring integration with other engineering disciplines, and providing technical leadership to achieve accuracy, efficiency, and cost optimization. The position also supports bidding, quantity estimation, and arbitration through technical documentation.
Key ResponsibilitiesAlignment Planning & Optimization•    Develop and finalize horizontal and vertical alignments for new and existing railway corridors.•    Optimize route selection for operational efficiency, constructability, and cost-effectiveness.•    Evaluate and compare alternative alignments considering terrain, land acquisition, and changes in scope of Other Engineering Works.•    Utilize survey data, GIS, and satellite imagery for corridor planning and validation.Design Development & Technical Review•    Supervise preparation of alignment drawings, longitudinal sections, and cross-sections.•    Review design outputs from Civil 3D, OpenRail, MX Road, or equivalent software.•    Ensure integration of alignment geometry with bridges, stations, tunnels, and yards.•    Verify design parameters as per Indian Railway Codes, RDSO, and project-specific requirements.•    Compare tender BOQ with design BOQ and ensure economy in designs.Interdisciplinary Coordination & Interface Management•    Coordinate with bridge, track, building, and quantity surveying teams for design integration.•    Interface with surveying, geotechnical, signaling, and utility teams for data alignment and field verification.•    Support corridor finalization with clients, consultants, and statutory authorities.•    Participate in technical review meetings and multidisciplinary coordination sessions.Documentation, Quality Assurance & Approvals•    Oversee preparation of design basis reports, justification notes, and alignment comparison studies.•    Implement QA/QC systems for checking design accuracy and consistency.•    Support preparation and submission of documents for client and statutory approvals.•    Maintain version control, revision records, and design correspondence for traceability.Project Estimation & Bidding Support•    Prepare Bill of Quantities (BOQs) and quantity estimates related to alignment, formation, and associated civil works.•    Provide technical inputs for bidding and tender submissions based on preliminary alignments.•    Coordinate with quantity surveying and cost estimation teams to validate design-based quantities.•    Support bid optimization through route rationalization and design-based cost-saving measures.Arbitration, Claims & Contractual Support•    Provide technical documentation and justification for design-related claims and disputes.•    Assist legal and contracts teams in arbitration by furnishing design reports, data, and alignment evidence.•    Prepare design evolution statements and technical clarifications supporting contractual positions.•    Maintain archives of correspondence, approvals, and design changes for dispute resolution.Leadership, Resource Planning & Capacity Building•    Lead and mentor alignment design engineers, survey analysts, and CAD staff.•    Plan team resources, track progress, and ensure timely delivery of design milestones.•    Conduct internal training, knowledge-sharing sessions, and promote technical upskilling.•    Contribute to manpower forecasting, recruitment, and performance evaluation.