Birkelbach has more than 25 years of experience in rail industry engineering. He has managed design, construction, and commissioning of major rail systems projects worldwide involving signaling, train control, systems integration, commissioning, and systems engineering. Prior to joining Parsons Brinckerhoff, he was Director, Signaling & Train Control/Construction & Commissioning for the U.S. operation of an international rail engineering organization. He previously was a co-owner of Kennebec, Inc., a transportation consulting firm, serving as principal software and transportation engineer.
Birkelbach earned a bachelor of science degree in physics from Texas State University. His professional affiliations include IEEE and the INCOSE Transportation Working Group.