Union Electrician ( Birmingham, AL 2025)

Norfolk Southern; Birmingham; On-site; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in freight transportation is seeking a skilled Locomotive Electrician to join their Mechanical team. This role involves conducting routine maintenance, repairs, and inspections on diesel electric locomotives, ensuring optimal performance and safety. You will work closely with advanced technologies and best practices to enhance operational efficiency. The position offers a dynamic work environment with opportunities for growth, where your expertise will contribute significantly to the future of rail transportation. If you are passionate about mechanical work and safety, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Benefits

Medical benefits

401(K) plan

Life Insurance

Union benefits

Paid training

Shift differentials

Qualifications

• Must maintain alertness and concentration while working.
• Experience with reading electrical prints and schematics.
• Completion of electrical vocational or trade school preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct routine maintenance and repairs on locomotives.
• Wire and install electrical equipment on locomotives.
• Diagnose and repair electrical malfunctions in components.

Skills

Verbal comprehension

Communication skills

Problem solving

Basic Math

Ability to multitask

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Tools

Multimeters

Amp clamps

Job description

Requisition 38624: Union Electrician ( Birmingham, AL 2025) 2.0

Please note, applying for a position outside of your department will require a departmental release.

A resume helps you stand out to hiring managers and recruiters; your resume communicates your experience and your brand. While it is not required, we encourage you to include an up-to-date resume along with a job application to give you the best opportunity to be considered. A complete resume helps us to better understand your unique background, relevant experiences, and passions. We look forward to learning about you.

Note for Safety-Sensitive Positions: Any safety-sensitive position with Norfolk Southern will require the following pre-employment screenings:

• FRA Drug and Alcohol Screen


• Medical Screening


• Background Check

The Mechanical team at Norfolk Southern is crucial to the maintenance and reliability of our rolling stock and equipment. We focus on the inspection, repair, and improvement of locomotives and freight cars, ensuring they operate safely and efficiently across our network. Our team employs advanced technologies and best practices to optimize performance and minimize downtime while adhering to stringent safety regulations. Collaborating closely with other departments, we strive to enhance operational efficiency and support the company's strategic objectives. Join us in driving the future of rail transportation through exceptional mechanical expertise and innovation!

Job Description

Locomotive Electricians are responsible for conducting routine maintenance, repair, rebuild, inspect, and install all electrical wiring and equipment on diesel electric locomotives and their components.

Primary Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with all railroad rules and regulations for safety, operations, and federal regulations


• Wire, maintain, repair, rebuild, inspect, and install equipment such as: Rheostats, Control Systems, Transformers, Motors & Generators, Welding Machines, Electric Lighting Fixtures, Winding Armatures, Battery Charging Systems, Magnet Coils, Switchboards & Meters, Compensators & Rotors, Electrical Collectors.


• Measure, cut, thread, bend, and assemble connections to control panels and junction boxes.


• Reading electrical prints, testing circuits, and connections, using multimeters, amp clamps, etc.


• Diagnose, repair, and replace electrical malfunctions in components including loading charging, transition problems, wheel slip, sander circuits and high and low voltage grounds.


• Perform work activities utilizing voltages up to 1200 and amperages up to 2400.


• Examine parts for wear and/or defects such as brushes contact tips, slip rings, armatures, diodes, bearings, and fuses.


• Interpret test instrument indicators.


• Interpret information from computer monitors or printouts.


• Miscellaneous activities and responsibilities as assigned by supervisor.

Job Requirements

• A Locomotive Electrician holds a safety sensitive position in which he/she must maintain alertness and concentration while at work. Safety sensitive tasks may include:
  
  
  
  • Constantly working around heavy, moving, potentially hazardous locomotive engines.
  
  
  • Frequently climbing on/off locomotives inside and outside the shop in all weather conditions.
  
  
  • Operating and moving a locomotive engine (some of these movements may fall under the Hours-of-Service act).
  
  
  
  


• Work safely to prevent on the job accidents and injuries


• Wear protective equipment such as hard hat, hearing protection, or safety-toe boots


• Complete annual training and pass safety rules examinations


• Must pass all required assessments


• Must pass a background screening


• Must pass a post-offer medical examination, including a drug test


• This position is governed by a union position and membership is required

Additional Information

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED


• 18 years of age or older


• Valid Driver's License

Preferred Qualifications

• Two years electrician experience.


• Completion of an electrical vocational or trade school program.


• Journeyman Electrician.


• One year experience reading blueprints or electrical schematics.


• Veterans and transitioning service members are encouraged to apply. Military roles that often transition well to this position (but not limited to): 65F, 88S, 1345, AMT, AE, 3E0X1 are encouraged to apply.

Skills and Abilities

• Verbal comprehension (understand oral and written communication).


• Communication skills (provide clear instructions/directions).


• Reasoning skills (problem solving and troubleshooting skills).


• Basic Math.


• Ability to multitask.


• Memory (recall track placement and locomotive location).

Physical Demands

• Heavy work, lifting to 50 pounds.


• Stoop/bend/kneel/crouch/crawl/balance/climb.


• Walk long distances over uneven terrain.


• Demonstrate auditory and visual acuity/tracking/inspection.

Training

Travel for paid training to McDonough, GA. Locomotive Electricians will complete 1 week of Mechanical Safety orientation and 6 weeks of craft specific training. Norfolk Southern will reimburse travel and pay for lodging as required by union agreement.

Compensation Data

Rate of Pay

• 1st 40 Working Days: (50% of Full Rate)


• Next 204 Working Days: (75% of Full Rate)


• Next 244 Working Days: (80% of Full Rate)


• After 2 Years/488 Days Working Days: $40.98 (100% of Full Rate - Journeyman)

Benefits

• Company Benefits - Eligible 1st day of second month after hire


• 80/20 plan for employee, spouse, and eligible dependents


• Union Benefits


• Medical (Managed or 85/15 Plan)


• $20K Life Insurance


• 401 (K) First Day of Employment


• After 1st year of service: Eligible for Dental / Vision

Work Conditions

Working hours will include shift work over all 3 shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Shifts are assigned/awarded by seniority. The work environment is a shop and outdoor work.

Pay Rates for Mechanical Craft: Noted Below:

Freight car repairer:

• 1st 40 Working Days: $20.44 (50% of Full rate)


• Next 204 Working Days: $30.66 (75% of Full rate)


• Next 244 Working Days: $32.70 (80% of Full rate)


• After 2 Years/488 Working Days: $40.88 (100% of Full Rate)

Union electrician:

• 1st 40 Working Days: (50% of Full Rate)


• Next 204 Working Days: (75% of Full Rate)


• Next 244 Working Days: (80% of Full Rate)


• After 2 Years/488 Days Working Days: $40.98 (100% of Full Rate - Journeyman)

Union machinist:

• 1st 40 Working Days: (50% of Full Rate)


• Next 204 Working Days: (75% of Full Rate)


• Next 244 Working Days: (80% of Full Rate)


• After 2 Years/488 Working Days: $41.02 (100% of Full Rate - Journeyman)

Mechanical laborer:

• 1st 12 calendar months - 75% of F&O rate


• 2nd 12 calendar months- 80% of F&O rate


• Completion of 24 months of service in any shop craft position (or combination) - $33.87

Company Overview

Since 1827, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) and its predecessor companies have safely moved the goods and materials that drive the U.S. economy. Today, it operates a customer-centric and operations-driven freight transportation network. Committed to furthering sustainability, Norfolk Southern helps its customers avoid 15 million tons of yearly carbon emissions by shipping via rail. Its dedicated team members deliver more than 7 million carloads annually, from agriculture to consumer goods, and is the largest rail shipper of auto products and metals in North America. Norfolk Southern also has the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern U.S., serving a majority of the country's population and manufacturing base, with connections to every major container port on the Atlantic coast as well as the Gulf of Mexico and Great Lakes. Learn more by visiting www.NorfolkSouthern.com.