Chief Mechanical Officer - Owosso, MI

Watco; Owosso (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Outstanding culture recognized by Forbes

Competitive compensation and benefits

Paid on-the-job training

Leadership and development programs

Career advancement opportunities

Job summary

A specialized rail transportation company in Owosso, Michigan, is seeking a Chief Mechanical Officer to oversee locomotive maintenance and safety compliance. The ideal candidate will lead daily operations, manage parts inventory, and ensure adherence to regulations. Applicants should have a background in railroad operations and possess a valid driver’s license. This role offers competitive compensation and opportunities for career advancement within the organization.

Qualifications

• Must pass reporting, testing, and certifications for the role.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and be insurable.
• Must obtain a Class B CDL driver’s license.
• Must be able to perform emergency repairs and comply with FRA/OSHA/OSHA requirements.

Responsibilities

• Implement and comply with the company safety plan.
• Inspect, test, and maintain locomotives and components.
• Maintain reliable inventory for locomotive maintenance.
• Perform emergency repairs and re-railing of rolling stock.
• Develop skills of subordinates for succession.
• Complete required forms and reports, including FRA and company documentation.
• Familiarize with state and federal railroad regulations across operations.
• Perform emergency repairs and re-railing of railroad rolling stock.
• Interpret and delegate instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Possess knowledge of tools and equipment related to rolling stock maintenance.
• Develop subordinate team members to ensure qualified successors.
• Prepare and administer performance appraisals for direct reports; review and approve subordinates' appraisals.

Skills

Knowledge of FRA, AAR and OSHA regulations

Ability to read and interpret safety documents

Ability to write reports and correspondence

Basic algebra and geometry skills

Ability to operate mechanical tools

Safety rules familiarity

Communication skills

Education

High School or GED equivalent

Three-year Railroad Apprenticeship or equivalent

Tools

Various mechanical tools and equipment

Job description

Overview

Start a Watco Career and Discover the Difference. Keep the world's supply chain moving. That's what the Watco team does every day at our short line railroads, switching sites, terminals, ports, and logistics hubs. Whether you're at one of these locations or in a support-services role, there's one thread that ties everyone together. We're all on the same team. One Watco.

What You Can Expect From Watco

• Outstanding culture recognized by Forbes and Newsweek
• Competitive compensation and benefits
• Paid on-the-job training with peer trainers
• Training for conductors, engineers, mechanics, and MOW Team Members at Watco's Safe Performance Center
• Leadership and development programs offered through Watco University
• Career advancement opportunities

Job Summary

The Chief Mechanical Officer (hereafter called the CMO) reports directly to the General Manager of the Railroad and is responsible for daily reports, parts inventory and ordering, locomotive maintenance, scheduling, compliance with company policies and procedures, governmental regulations and working within a planned budget.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Implementation of and compliance with the company safety plan, including drug and alcohol
• Coordinate daily locomotive needs with the dispatcher or local management
• Inspect, test, and maintain locomotives and its components according to FRA guidelines and compile records to comply with FRA and company rules and regulations
• Maintain a reliable inventory of material for the proper maintenance of locomotives
• Possess working knowledge of the proper use of various wear limit gauges and testing equipment
• Possess the ability to complete written forms and reports as well as necessary Federal Railroad Administration reports pertaining to CMO position responsibilities
• Must become familiar with state and federal regulations as it relates to the railroad industry
• Able to perform emergency repairs and re-railing of railroad rolling stock
• Able to solve practical problems where only limited standardization exists. Able to interpret and delegate instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form
• Must have a working knowledge of and be familiar with various types of tools and equipment such as, but not limited to, welders, torches, hammers, jacks, and various types of other mechanical, air, and hand tools pertaining to the construction and maintenance of rolling stock
• Develop the skills of subordinate team member(s) to assure highly qualified successors are in place
• Accountable for the preparation and administration of performance appraisals for direct reporting team members
• Review and approve all performance appraisals prepared and administered by subordinates

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily and be able to pass and/or obtain all reporting, testing, and certifications as required for this position and location. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Must have completed a three-year Railroad Apprenticeship or equivalent related railroad experience, or experience in some other mechanical field and have working knowledge of FRA, AAR and OSHA regulations as it pertains to locomotives and repair facilities
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or Team Members
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry
• Must possess valid driver’s license and be insurable by company insurance provider to drive and operate company vehicles and equipment as necessary
• Must have or must be able to obtain a Class B CDL driver’s license
• Must have the ability to become a qualified Service Engineer according to Federal Railroad Administration regulations and may be required to perform electrical duties

Education

Must be 18 years of age or older

High School or GED equivalent