Locomotive Leader

GATX; Louisiana; On-site; USD 70,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation

Paid holidays

Health benefits

Pension plan

401(k) with match

Annual raise

Cell phone stipend

Job summary

GATX is seeking a Locomotive Leader at the St. James MRU to schedule and perform inspection and repair of GATX-owned locomotives, while mentoring technicians and supporting daily operations.

The role includes interim leadership coverage when the Manager is away and ensures accurate documentation across systems.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; engineering degree preferred.
• TWIC credential or ability to obtain.
• DOT-mandated physical required.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English.
• Minimum of 5 years locomotive repair experience.
• Ability to lead teams required.
• EMD locomotive certifications or equivalents.
• Strong FRA rules and safety knowledge.
• Willingness to travel 150–400 miles as needed.

Responsibilities

• Assist Manager in day-to-day MRU operations, scheduling, and service requests.
• Lead scheduled and on-demand maintenance and inspections of GATX locomotives to meet regulatory and customer needs.
• Mentor Locomotive Technicians on advanced skills and foster safety/quality culture.
• Ensure field service reports are completed accurately for work orders and billing.
• Maintain certifications and safety training requirements across sites on the Gulf Coast.
• Support workforce development and continuous improvement using SQDC methodology.
• Develop strong relationships with customers to align MRU activities with business objectives.

Skills

Leadership

Mechanical troubleshooting

Electrical troubleshooting

Safety awareness

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Bachelor’s degree in business/operations/industrial/engineering

Tools

SAP

MS Office

Job description

• Total of 17 paid vacations days for full calendar year
• Paid holidays
• Full medical, dental, and vision benefits starting day 1
• Company paid pension plan
• 401(K) with employer match
• Annual increase eligibility
• Monthly cell phone stipend

Working with the Manager, Loco Mech-St. James & Cust Site (“Manager”), the Locomotive Leader position schedules, prioritizes and conducts all aspects of inspection and repair of GATX owned locomotives, while helping to maintain and foster customer relationships. This position will assist with the managing the St. James Mobile Repair Unit (MRU), including serving as the interim backup to the Manager when he or she is away from the location. Accurately completes required documentation and updates GATX, and external systems directly related to repairs performed.

The Locomotive Leader must possess advanced knowledge in inspection and repair of locomotives. This individual will mentor and coach Locomotive Technicians. Assists Manager in achieving targets, initiatives and accountabilities relative to Safety, Quality, Delivery and Cost (SQDC).

Responsibilities:

20% of time spent will be on Operations Management Support: Assists the Manager in managing the day-to-day operations of the St. James MRU, including:

• Assists Manager in scheduling, coordinating and prioritizing the service requests for the MRU, including inspections, repairs and special projects assigned to the location.
• Acts as interim manager when Manager is not present.
• Assists Manager in achieving targets, initiatives and accountabilities relative to Safety, Quality, Delivery and Cost.
• Ensures that all necessary field service reports are completed in order to facilitate work order creation, correct and timely reporting, and billing.
• Audits completed field service reports, especially when Manager is not present.

50% of time spent will be on Locomotive Service and Repairs: Leads crews in performing scheduled and on demand maintenance, repair and inspection of GATX-owned and foreign locomotives as required to meet regulatory, quality and customer production needs. Performs repairs as needed, especially the most complex mechanical and electrical repairs to include, but not limited to, the following:

• Performs both mechanical and electrical running repairs and scheduled maintenance, including: repairing and replacing air compressors; repairing control pockets; machining wheels; performing non-structural welds; repairing electro motive diesel (EMD) engines; repairing brake systems; repairing electrical components; repairing and replacing generators; repairing draft gears; repairing and replacing power assemblies; and repairing and replacing engine turbos.
• Understands and follows company and industry safety rules, practices, and procedures; wears prescribed personal protective equipment; operates GATX vehicles safely and responsibly; takes appropriate action when conditions threaten safety of self or coworkers; ensures equipment and work area are in safe operating condition before starting work.
• Conducts locomotive inspections to ensure each unit complies with regulatory, industry and customer-specific requirements, and to detect evidence of wear or needed fuel, oil and other consumables.
• Reads and interprets blueprints; schematics; GATX policies, procedures, and engineering instructions; and FRA and DOT regulations.
• Safely and effectively operates the following; acetylene torches, nonpower tools (pliers, wrenches, hammers), power tools (drills, power saws, grinders); electric and gas welding equipment, electrical testing tools (voltmeter, Megger).
• Communicates, verbally and in writing, technical information, job procedure recommendations, and other work-related information.
• Serves as the lead heavy repair or advanced electrical technician.
• Installs alignment control pockets and draft gears on locomotives or troubleshoots advanced electrical issues.

10% of time will be spent on Workforce Development and Oversight:

• Works with Manager to prioritize Locomotive Technician work.
• Trains and mentors Locomotive Technicians on advanced level skills. Fosters a respectful and inclusive work environment.
• Assists Manager in driving continuous improvement efforts and good problem-solving skills by using SQDC methodology.
• Fosters a culture of proactive identification of issues and successful root cause and corrective action that supports GATX’s commitment to safety and quality.

10% of time will be spent on Customer Support:

• Develops strong working relationships with key internal and external customers to align the St. James MRU with the key business objectives.

10% of time will be spent on Other:

• Maintains all certifications, including TWIC cards, Alliance Safey Council, and site-specific safety training requirements at various locations on the Gulf Coast. Demonstrates strong familiarity with FRA rules and regulations. Partners with manager and other site personnel to ensure certifications, customer suitability requirements and other job requirements remain current.
• Performs other duties as assigned, including inventory cycle counts, receiving and issuing material, fleet vehicle maintenance, and general facilities maintenance and cleaning.

Qualifications:

Education and/or Experience (including certifications):

• High School Diploma or equivalent required. Bachelor’s degree in business management/operations management, industrial technology, engineering preferred.
• Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), or the ability to obtain, required.
• Ability to pass a DOT mandated physical required.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and verbally, in English required.
• Minimum of 5 years of locomotive repair experience.
• Ability to lead teams required, experience leading teams preferred.
• Background in EMD locomotive repair required.
• Possess advanced locomotive mechanical and electrical systems knowledge, including the ability to: repair and replace air compressors; repair control pockets; machine wheels; perform non-structural welds; repair electro motive diesel (EMD) engines; repair brake systems; repair electrical components; repair and replace generators; repair draft gears; repair and replace power assemblies; and repair engine turbos.
• Ability to perform non-structural welds required, ability to perform structural welds and visually inspect welds preferred.
• Electro motive diesel (EMD) certification or equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities required.
• Locomotive electrical Maintenance and Troubleshooting components certification or equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities required.
• EMD GP38-2 Locomotive Troubleshooting Electrical certification or equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities required.
• Locomotive Maintenance and Troubleshooting certification or equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities required.
• Possess ability to troubleshoot mechanical and electrical systems, along with problem solving abilities to make sound decisions required.
• Possess a strong understanding of FRA rules and regulations, GATX Rail Policies, and Safety and Quality procedures required.
• Demonstrated skill with inventory and supply management required.
• Intermediate computer skills, including proficiency with or the ability to become proficient with the following systems: Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint); SAP
• Ability and willingness to meet all customer suitability requirements required.
• Sensitivity to customer demands and be flexible in work hours, including weekends, required.

Other (i.e., physical requirements, travel, etc. that is not covered above):

• Must be able to travel within 150 to 400 miles of the work location, as necessary.
• Must be able to work on call hours.
• Must be able to work both Monday – Friday and Tuesday – Saturday schedules.
• Occasional overnight stays away from home.
• Must be able to lift up to 90 pounds.
• Must be able to operate forklift safely.
• Must be able to stoop, climb ladders and safely perform work tasks.
• Must work in all types of weather conditions.

NOTE: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being

performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all

responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Salary range:

As of the post date, the salary range for this position is:

$70,300.00 USD - $86,000.00 USD

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.

This role may be eligible to participate in the Company’s short-term incentive plan, the details of which will be provided to the applicant upon hire.

Posting Duration:

This posting will remain open until the role is filled.