CDL-A Railroad Equipment Operator – Fort Worth, TX

Socket.dev; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 95,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Per diem

Hotel accommodations

Layover pay

Job summary

Socket.dev in Fort Worth, TX is seeking a Class A CDL Equipment Operator to support railroad emergency response and track operations. This hands‑on role combines driving, heavy equipment operation, and physical labor.

The team transports equipment to job sites, assists with derailment response and track maintenance, and may perform maintenance and safety trainings when not responding to emergencies.

Qualifications

• Must hold a valid CDL-A license.
• Clean driving record.
• Ability to perform physically demanding work.
• Experience with heavy equipment is a plus.
• Willingness to travel to job sites.
• 24/7 on-call availability, including weekends and holidays.
• Ability to work extended hours.

Responsibilities

• Complete pre-trip and post-trip inspections of trucks, trailers, and equipment in DOT compliance.
• Operate tractor-trailers to transport equipment and materials to sites.
• Inspect loads and verify permits for overweight/oversized equipment.
• Participate in daily safety meetings and review work plans.
• Load, unload, move, and stage equipment and materials for operations.
• Assist with rerailing, load adjustments, and transfer operations.
• Assist with setup, inspection, and operation of cranes and heavy equipment.
• Operate cranes, backhoes, grapple trucks, dump trucks, excavators, and more.
• Assist with rigging and connecting chains during derailment response.
• Use hydraulic tools, welding equipment, cutting torches, and hand tools.
• Monitor equipment for safe operation and report mechanical issues.

Skills

CDL-A

Driving

Physical labor

Travel readiness

Safety conscious

Job description

CDL-A Railroad Equipment Operator – Fort Worth, TX

Job Type: Full-Time, Direct Hire
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Pay: Starting at $26/hour — higher depending on experience
Schedule: 40 guaranteed hours/week; average 60+ hours/week with overtime
On-Call: 24/7, including weekends and holidays

Position Overview

We are hiring a Class A CDL Equipment Operator to support railroad emergency response and track operations throughout the region. This is a hands‑on position that combines commercial driving, heavy equipment operation, material handling, and physical labor.

Team members transport equipment and materials to job sites and assist with railroad derailment response, rerailing, load adjustments, track maintenance, repairs, and new construction.

When not responding to an emergency, employees may assist with equipment maintenance, preventive maintenance (PM), safety training, and shop activities.

Compensation & Schedule

• 40 hours guaranteed each week.
• Average workweek is 60+ hours, with some weeks reaching approximately 70 hours.
• Work performed outside the regular Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–4:00 PM schedule is paid at 1.5x the regular hourly rate.
• Per diem available for qualifying travel.
• Hotel accommodations/pay provided for qualifying travel.
• Layover pay may apply when work extends beyond scheduled hours.
• 24/7 emergency response availability is required, including weekends and holidays.

Key Responsibilities

• Complete pre‑trip and post‑trip inspections of trucks, trailers, and equipment in accordance with DOT requirements and company procedures.
• Operate tractor‑trailers to transport equipment and materials to and from work sites.
• Inspect transported loads and verify permits for overweight or oversized equipment.
• Participate in daily safety meetings and review work plans before beginning assignments.
• Load, unload, move, and stage equipment and materials for railroad and track operations.
• Assist with rerailing, load adjustment and transfer operations, railroad car maintenance/repair, track repair, track maintenance, and new construction.
• Assist with the setup, inspection, assembly, and operation of cranes and other heavy equipment.
• Operate qualified equipment such as cranes, backhoes, grapple trucks, dump trucks, excavators, bulldozers, front‑end loaders, rail‑bound equipment, tractors, and skid‑steer loaders.
• Assist with rigging by connecting chains, cables, and winches during derailment response.
• Use hydraulic tools, welding equipment, cutting torches, electrical tools, and common hand tools.
• Monitor trucks and equipment to maintain safe and reliable operating condition.
• Perform and document minor equipment and vehicle service and report more complex mechanical issues for repair.
• Assist with disassembly and loading of cranes and other equipment after completing a job.
• Restock vehicles and equipment with required parts, supplies, and components.
• Sort and properly dispose of scrap materials.
• Help maintain clean, organized, and safe vehicles, equipment, and work areas.
• Support other departments or work activities as needed.
• Follow all applicable safety policies, procedures, and regulations.

Required Qualifications

• Valid Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL-A).
• Good driving record.
• Experience in construction labor, industrial work, or another physically demanding role.
• Ability to safely operate heavy equipment and work with tools and materials.
• Ability to complete required qualification, training, and safety programs.
• Availability for 24/7 emergency response, including weekends and holidays.
• Ability to work extended hours and perform physically demanding tasks.
• Willingness to travel to job sites as required.

Preferred Experience

• 3+ years of experience operating heavy equipment, including:
  • Backhoes
  • Bulldozers
  • Excavators
  • Front‑end loaders
  • Grapple trucks
  • Rail‑bound equipment
  • Tractors
  • Skid‑steer loaders
  • Equivalent combination of training and hands‑on experience may be considered.

Work Environment

This position involves outdoor and industrial work, physical labor, heavy equipment operation, and emergency railroad response. Work conditions and assignments may change based on job‑site requirements.

Interview Requirement: Candidates must bring steel‑toe boots to the interview.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Drug screen
• Background check

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is a full‑time direct‑hire opportunity offering guaranteed hours, substantial overtime potential, benefits, and additional compensation for travel and emergency response work. The position is ideal for a safety‑focused Class A CDL professional with heavy equipment and construction experience who is comfortable working in demanding field environments and responding to emergency situations.