Inbound Inspect. Process Lead

GATX Corporation; Hearne (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 93,000; Full time

Job summary

GATX Corporation in Hearne, TX is seeking an experienced Inbound Inspection leader responsible for producing and guiding Defect Reports for railcars, ensuring safety, quality, and cost targets. You will coach inspectors and act as a technical expert across inspection processes.

Responsibilities include documenting defects, advancing repair strategies, and mentoring staff while maintaining compliance with FRA and AAR requirements. Strong analytical and communication skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of five (5) years railcar experience; minimum of two (2) years as Sr. Inspector preferred.
• Certified in NDT Visual Testing, Level II – NDT-VT.
• Extensive technical/railcar repair knowledge including regulatory requirements (FRA, AAR) and GATX Rail requirements.
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office, PowerBI, MMS, SEM, GATX ShopPortal, Railinc, and GATX Tails.

Responsibilities

• Perform inbound inspections on all types of railroad cars and equipment as per policies.
• Document defects accurately to support repair strategies and data integrity.
• Enforce inspection standards and supervise Inbound Inspection Specialists.
• Provide coaching and mentoring across inspection processes.
• Assist with joint inspection certificates and defect reports.

Skills

Root Cause Analysis

Problem solving

Communication skills

Education

NDT Visual Testing Level II

Tools

Microsoft Office

PowerBI

MMS

SEM

GATX ShopPortal

Railinc

GATX Tails

Job description

Overview

Founded in 1898 and headquartered in Chicago, IL, GATX Corporation (NYSE: GATX) is an industry leader with 125+ years of success—success that is powered by our people. At GATX, we hire the best and offer our employees a dynamic, energetic, collaborative environment to enable them to make an impact from day one. Enjoy the perks and benefits of a global company with the close-knit culture and community of a much smaller one. In the same way we strive to empower our customers to propel the world forward, we are dedicated to providing our people with the tools and resources they need to move forward in their careers.

In this role, you will be responsible for producing, as well as leading and advising an inbound inspection team to consistently produce accurate Inspection Defect Reports on all types of railcars. These reports must meet all external and internal requirements related to Safety, Quality, and Cost. Serves as a technical expert in inspection. Serves as a back-up Supervisor and coaches and mentors Inbound Inspection Specialists.

Responsibilities

• Perform inbound inspections on all types of railroad cars and equipment including tank, freight, and foreign per customer, regulatory and company established policies and procedures.
• Accurately and thoroughly document identified defects through systems that support downstream production related activities and reliability data to ensure integrity of GATX products.
  • Maintains high accuracy in defect documentation to support correct repair strategies and work instructions, helping prevent downstream waste. In-depth understanding of process intent.
  • Enforce GATX Engineering railcar inspection standards through proper coding and total ownership of the defect report
  • Respond to inquiries within a high-volume, fast-paced environment, working with internal and external stakeholders to ensure railcars are repaired cost effectively and in a timely, high-quality fashion
• Determine railroad and associated damage by preparation of Joint Inspection Certificate (JIC) and validation of results
• Maintain up to date knowledge of customer, regulatory and company policies and procedures.

• Complete all required documentation to ensure accurate repair estimate and communication of identified defects.

• Champion improvement opportunities within inspection department, including:
  • Participate in department and company meetings;
  • Perform ETQ action items and CAPAs;
  • Contribute to GATX policy and procedure updates.
  • Identify opportunities for enhancements on systems, standards, training, and documentation.
• Serve a technical expert to assist facility, Estimation Process Leads, ASLs, FMAs, ME’s, and Engineers as needed.
• Serve as a back- up supervisor, including the Inbound Inspection/Estimation Supervisor.
• Serve as back-up to Estimating or outbound inspection employees in the event of staffing shortages.
• Coach and mentor Inbound Inspection Specialists on inspection and quality procedures to ensure thorough Defect Report.
• Coach, mentor and direct the work of pre-work, NDE (where relevant) and other hourly employees, especially when supporting inspection work.

Qualifications

Education and/or Experience:

• Minimum High School Diploma or equivalent
• Minimum of five (5) years railcar experience; minimum of two (2) years as Sr. Inspector preferred
• Certified in NDT Visual Testing, Level II – NDT-VT
• Extensive technical / railcar repair knowledge including, but not limited to, regulatory requirements associated with the FRA and AAR as well as GATX Rail requirements
• Strong computer skills, including experience with, or the ability to learn, Microsoft Office, PowerBI, Maintenance Management System (MMS), Service Event Management (SEM), GATX ShopPortal, Railinc, and GATX Tails
• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding quality inspection expectations
• Ability to perform cross-functional tasks across multiple departments

Key Competencies:

• Supportive of a respectful and inclusive work environment
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as Improvement Order instructions, Fleet Maintenance instructions, work orders, AAR Field Manual and engineering drawings
• Consistently exercise good judgment regarding business issues affecting the GATX fleet and third-party service providers
• Demonstrates integrity and accountability by communicating concerns and improvement suggestions related to Safety, Quality, Deliver, and Cost (SQDC)
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Strong customer resolution skills required to address maintenance questions and resolve estimate issues
• Effective problem-solving skills
• Strong understanding of Root Cause Analysis
• Strong organizational skills
• Detail-oriented
• Ability to work well with others in a positive manner
• Ability to be flexible and to strive in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to train and mentor others
• Ability to identify opportunities for improvement

Other:

• Must be able to stoop for extended periods and routinely move from kneeling to standing positions
• Must be able to climb ladders and perform work at elevated heights
• Must be able to work in extreme temperature environments
• Must be able to physically enter confined space (rail car manways as small as 18” in diameter) and work in enclosed environments
• Must be able to stand/sit/work in front of a computer for extended periods
• Must be able to walk for extended periods of time

Posting Duration

This posting will remain open until the role is filled. As of the post date, the salary range for this position is:

Min

USD $70,300.00/Yr.

Max

USD $93,000.00/Yr. No incentive. This range is a reasonable estimate and takes into account several factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including, but not limited to, geographic location, skill set, experience, education, training, internal equity, and other business needs.