PASSENGER ENGINEER TRAINEE - 90182576 - Washington

Amtrak; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 48,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Rail pass privileges

401K

Wellness programs

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Amtrak is seeking a Passenger Engineer Trainee to join Washington Zone 2, based in Washington, DC. The role involves operating locomotives and trains under federal regulations and Amtrak policies, with extensive classroom and field training at Wilmington, DE.

You will be paid during training and progress toward Class 1 Train Service Engineer certification. The position requires a high school diploma or GED and strong communication, alertness, and safety awareness.

Qualifications

• H.S. Diploma or GED required.
• Prior railroad operating experience preferred.
• Driver's license not required but if present must pass MVR review after offer and per DOT rules.
• Engineer Training: 8–10 weeks at Amtrak's Training Center in Wilmington, DE; paid training until Class 1 Train Service Engineer certification.
• Class 1 Train Service Engineers paid per agreement schedule.
• Incumbents subject to medical exams and random drug/alcohol screenings.
• Meet FRA vision, color vision, and hearing criteria per 49 CFR 240.

Responsibilities

• Consistently and safely operate locomotives and trains in compliance with federal regulations and Amtrak policies.
• Operate equipment across a 24/7 transportation environment with alertness and situational awareness.
• Communicate clearly and effectively with crew members and other personnel responsible for safe train movement.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Alertness & vigilance

Safety awareness

Education

HS Diploma or GED

Some college or vocational training

Job description

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PASSENGER ENGINEER TRAINEE - 90182576 - Washington

Date: Oct 2, 2026

Location: Washington, DC, US, 20002

Company: Amtrak

Your success is a train ride away!

As we move America’s workforce toward the future, Amtrak connects businesses and communities across the country. We employ more than 20,000 diverse, energetic professionals in a variety of career fields throughout the United States. The safety of our passengers, our employees, the public and our operating environment is our priority, and the success of our railroad is due to our employees.

Are you ready to join our team?

Our values of ‘Do the Right Thing, Excel Together and Put Customers First’ are at the heart of what matters most to us, and our Core Capabilities, ‘Building Trust, Accountability, Effective Communication, Customer Focus, and Proactive Safety & Security’ are what every employee needs to know and do to be most impactful at Amtrak. By living the Amtrak values, focusing on our capabilities, and actively embracing and fostering diverse ideas, backgrounds, and perspectives, together we will honor our past and make Amtrak a company of the future.

Job Summary

Washington Zone 2

Consistently and safely operate locomotives and trains in compliance with federal regulations and corporate policies. Operates equipment during varying work hours within a 24/7 transportation environment maintaining alertness, situational awareness and vigilance. Thinks and functions independently and utilizes clear and effective verbal communication skills in interaction with fellow crew members and other personnel responsible for safe and efficient train movement.

Minimum Qualifications

• H.S. Diploma or GED Required.
• Some work experience demonstrates the ability to maintain alertness, awareness and vigilance, as well as clear, effective verbal communication skills in the performance of work. Satisfactory attendance and safe work record. Prior railroad operating experience and work history that demonstrates the ability to adapt to variable and often changing work hours preferred.
• Although a driver’s license is not required, applicants who currently have a driver’s license must successfully clear a motor vehicle record review to be completed after a conditional offer of employment and administered in accordance with applicable Department of Transportation (“DOT”) regulations, and applicable federal, state, and local laws.
• If selected, incumbent will be required to successfully complete Engineer Training as follows: 8-10 weeks classroom and field work while headquartered at Amtrak’s Training Center in Wilmington, DE; followed by extensive qualifying and on-the-job training associated with the Crew Base for which hired; paid at the student training rate until incumbent achieves certification as a Class 1 Train Service Engineer.
• Individuals currently certified as Class 1 Train Service Engineers are paid at the rate determined by the agreement schedule.
• Incumbents are subject to periodic medical examinations including random drug and alcohol screenings.
• Applicants for this position will be expected to meet the criteria for vision, color vision, and hearing set forth by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) in 49 CFR 240.

Preferred Qualifications

• Some college or vocational training.

Communications and Interpersonal Skills

Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills.

The hourly range is $35.62 – $35.62 (with opportunity for increases, as per the applicable collective bargaining agreement, after beginning employment).

• Health and Wellbeing Financial and Retirement Work and Family Life Support
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance 401K Rail Pass Privileges
• Wellness Programs Railroad Retirement Benefits Employee Assistance Program
• Medical Plan Opt-out Credit Life Insurance Commuter and Flexible Spending Accounts
• No-cost Personal Health Advocate No-cost Financial Advisor Session Fertility and Family Building Benefits

Some benefits are subject to the collective bargaining agreement. Learn more about our benefits offerings here .

Requisition ID:167221
Posting Location(s):District of Columbia

Relocation Offered:No
Travel Requirements:Up to 100%
You power our progress through your performance.

We want your work at Amtrak to be more than a job. We want your career at Amtrak to be a fulfilling experience where you find challenging work, rewarding opportunities, respect among colleagues, and attractive compensation. Amtrak maintains a culture that values high performance and recognizes individual employee contributions.

Amtrak is committed to a safe workplace free of drugs and alcohol. All Amtrak positions requires a pre-employment background check that includes prior employment verification, a criminal history check and a pre-employment drug screen.

Candidates who test positive for marijuana will be disqualified, regardless of any state or local statute, ordinance, regulation, or other law that legalizes or decriminalizes the use or possession of marijuana, whether for medical, recreational, or other use. Amtrak's pre-employment drug testing program is administered in accordance with DOT regulations and applicable law.

In accordance with DOT regulations (49 CFR § 40.25), Amtrak is required to obtain prior drug and alcohol testing records for applicants/employees intending to perform safety-sensitive duties for covered Department of Transportation positions. If an applicant/employee refuses to provide written consent for Amtrak to obtain these records, the individual will not be permitted to perform safety-sensitive functions.

In accordance with federal law governing security checks of covered individuals for providers of public transportation (Title 6 U.S.C. §1143), Amtrak is required to screen applicants for any permanent or interim disqualifying criminal offenses.

Note that any education requirement listed above may be deemed satisfied if you have an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Amtrak is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race/color, to include traits historically associated with race, including but not limited to, hair texture and hairstyles such as braids, locks and twists, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions, such as lactation), national origin/ethnicity, disability (intellectual, mental and physical), veteran status, marital status, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, genetic information, citizenship or any other personal characteristics protected by law.