Freight Car Repairer - Linwood, NC

Norfolk Southern; Linwood (NJ); On-site; USD 29,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage after 2 months

Dental and vision after 1 year

401(k) eligibility from day one

Job summary

Norfolk Southern invites applicants to join its Freight Car Repairer Trainee program. This hands-on, field-based role trains individuals to inspect, repair, and maintain freight cars across the network through classroom instruction and on-the-job training.

Trainees learn welding and fabrication, with progression through safety, craft training, and field experience. Travel and night/weekend shifts are required, with lodging provided per union agreement.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• 18 years of age or older.
• Valid driver's license.
• Ability to pass pre-employment drug and alcohol screening and physical standards.
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions and perform heavy physical labor.
• Must pass background screening and post-offer medical examinations, including drug tests.

Responsibilities

• Inspect, repair, and maintain freight cars in compliance with FRA and AAR standards.
• Ensure compliance with all railroad rules and regulations for safety and operations.
• Perform welding and cutting operations (SMAW and FCAW in 2F, 3F, 4F positions).
• Operate forklifts, cranes, and car-moving equipment.
• Rerail cars and locomotives using rerailing equipment.
• Record repair data and car status in computer systems.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Problem solving

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

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.

Description

At Norfolk Southern, we believe that ourpeoplepowerprogress. Our culture is built on our SPIRIT values-Safety, Performance, Integrity, Respect, Innovation, and Teamwork-which guide how we work, lead, and grow together. Ifyou'reready to launch a career in mechanical maintenance and contribute to the reliability of our rolling stock, we invite you to explore the Freight Car Repairer Trainee role.

This hands-on, field-based position prepares individuals for a career in freight car maintenance through structured classroom instruction and on-the-job training. Trainees learn to inspect, repair, andmaintain railcars to ensure safe and efficient operations across our network.

What Should You Know

• This is a seniority-based union position.
• You must be availabletowork shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Extensive travel for training may berequired.
• Union membership isrequiredwithin60 daysofestablishingseniority.

Training

• Classroom Training: Mechanical Safety Orientation and craft-specific training in welding and fabrication.
• Field Training: Hands-on experience in car repair shops and yards.
• Duration: Approximately 7 weeks (1 week safety orientation +6 weekscraft training).
• Norfolk Southern provides lodging andreimbursestravel per union agreement.

Job Responsibilities

• Inspect, repair, andmaintain freight cars in compliance with FRA and AAR standards.
• Ensure compliance with all railroad rules and regulations for safety and operations.
• Perform welding and cutting operations (SMAW and FCAW processes in 2F, 3F, and 4F positions).
• Operate forklifts, cranes, and car-moving equipment.
• Operate various vehicles and may berequiredto obtain a CDL for operation of Locomotive Service truck.
• Straighten, fabricate, and replace steel parts such as grab irons, ladders, and sill steps.
• Remove and replace defective components including wheels, couplers, brake equipment,air brake valves, yokes, and draft gears.
• Rerail cars and locomotives using rerailing equipment.
• Completeand enter information in computer systemsregardingcar components, destination, lading, repair records, bad orders, and car releases
• Work safely to preventaccidents and injuriesand wear required protective equipment (hard hat, hearing protection, safety-toe boots).
• Complete annual safety training and pass safety rules examinations.

Qualifications - Required

• High school diploma or GED.
• 18 years of age or older.
• Valid driver's license.
• Ability to pass pre-employment drug and alcohol screening and physical standards.
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions and perform heavy physical labor.
• Must pass background screening and post-offer medicalexaminations, including drugtests.

Qualifications - Preferred

• One or more years of welding and fabrication experience.
• Mechanical experience or Carman apprenticeship.
• Veterans and transitioning service members encouraged to apply (roles such as 2141, 91B, 91H, heavy equipment mechanics).

Skills and Abilities

• Mechanical aptitude.
• Problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to understand oral and written communication and provide clear instructions

Physical and Mental Job Requirements

• Ability tolift upto 50 lbs.
• Mustmaintainalertness and concentration while working around heavy, moving equipment.
• Ability to stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, balance, climb, and walk long distances over uneven terrain.
• Ability to meet FRA medical requirements:
• Visual acuity (at least 20/40 in each eye separately and both together withorwithout corrective lenses).
• Hearing-no hearing loss greater than 40B average, at 500, 1000, and 2000 in better ear (can be met with hearing aid).

Work Conditions

• Shop and outdoor environments.
• Shift work across all three shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Union membershiprequired.
• This is a safety-sensitive position requiring constant alertness while working around heavy, moving, potentially hazardous locomotive engines.

Compensation and Benefits

Pay Progression:

• 1st 40 Working Days: $21.26 (50% of Full rate)
• Next 204 Working Days: $31.89 (75% of Full rate)
• Next 244 Working Days: $34.01 (80% of Full rate)
• After 2 Years/488 Working Days: $42.52 (100% of Full Rate)

Benefits include:

• Medical coverage begins the first day of the second month afterhire.
• Health insurance (80/20 or 85/15 plan), $20,000 life insurance, and 401(k) eligibility from day one.
• Dental and vision coverage after one year of service.

Job Description

Work shall consist of rail car repairing, inspection, and maintenance in accordance with federal and AAR regulations.

Primary Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with all railroad rules and regulations for safety and operations.
• Inspect car components for compliance with AAR and FRA standards.
• Obtain information from computer regarding car components, destination, lading, repair records and/or to file data such as repair information, bad orders, and car releases.
• Able to proficiently use cutting torch in all positions.
• Must qualify in SMAW and FCAW welding processes that include 2F, 3F and 4F positions.
• Operate forklifts, light cranes, and car moving equipment.
• Operate various vehicles, maybe required to obtain CDL for operation of Locomotive Service truck.
• Rerail cars and locomotives by using rerailing equipment and perform other work associated with wreck service on the railroad.
• Straighten, fabricate, and replace steel parts such as: grab irons, handholds, ladders, ladder brackets, and sill steps.
• Repair, remove, or replace defective components such as wheels, safety appliances, truck and brake equipment, couplers, yokes, draft gears, and air brake valves, weld broken parts or secure new parts.

Job Requirements

• 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
• Federal regulations require random testing for drugs and/or alcohol
• Must pass all required assessments
• Must pass a background screening
• This position is governed by a union agreement and membership is required
• Must pass a post-offer medical examination, including a drug test

Physical Requirements

• Heavy work, lifting to 50 pounds occasionally