Quality & Compliance Specialist

Union Tank Car Company - UTLX; Muscatine (IA); On-site; USD 61,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Union Tank Car Company in Muscatine, IA, is seeking an Inspector to perform inbound, in‑process, and final inspections plus NDT of railcars, ensuring compliance with U.S. and Canadian regulations, AAR standards, and DOT requirements.

You will prepare Billing Repair Card estimates and maintain accurate inspection records. This role carries full authority to stop work on railcars or components pending issue resolution; 3–5 years railcar inspection experience and NDT VT Level II certification (or

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of relevant railcar repair, inspection, or manufacturing experience.
• NDT Visual Testing (VT) Level II Certification per AAR M1002 Appendix T or equivalent ASNT/ISO standards, or ability to obtain within 3 months of employment.

Responsibilities

• Performs visual, dimensional, mechanical, and regulatory inspections of railcars and components throughout all stages of the repair and qualification process.
• Researches and inspects incoming cars for defects and repairs required in accordance with regulations, repair standards, project letters, and customer specifications.
• Prepares and completes all documentation associated with inspections, including Billing Repair Card estimates, repair codes, labor hours, and material estimates.
• Ensures all identified nonconforming conditions are reported through the appropriate forms, checklists, and nonconformance reporting system.
• Maintains complete and accurate inspection records and ensures the final car file is compliant and ready for release.
• Reviews shop-floor documentation to ensure completeness, accuracy, and regulatory compliance.
• Identifies repairs and assigns responsibility based on company policies, pricing matrices, and RBU profitability guidelines.
• Conducts audits to ensure production activities align with applicable standards and requirements.
• Works with production to plan shipments and ensure inspections are completed in a timely manner.
• Verifies cars are properly secured, marked, closed, and identified prior to release for interchange.

Skills

Communication

Regulatory knowledge

Mechanical aptitude

Reading drawings

Safety awareness

Stamina

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

NDT VT Level II Certification

Tools

AS400

Railsource

Microsoft Office

Electronic repair platforms

AAR Rule 1 gauges

Job description

UTLX
As a part of the global industrial organization Marmon Holdings—which is backed by Berkshire Hathaway—you’ll be doing things that matter, leading at every level, and winning a better way. We’re committed to making a positive impact on the world, providing you with diverse learning and working opportunities, and fostering a culture where everyone’s empowered to be their best.

Position Summary

The Inspector is responsible for conducting thorough inbound, in‑process, final inspections, & NDT of railcars as required; researching, identifying, and estimating required repairs; and ensuring all documentation, repair codes, and billing estimates are accurate and compliant with U.S. and Canadian regulations, AAR Interchange/MSRP standards, DOT/TC requirements, and company procedures. The incumbent ensures all maintenance, qualification, and inspection activities are completed in accordance with governing regulations, prepares Billing Repair Card estimates, identifies nonconformances, and ensures cars are properly approved and released. This role carries full authority to stop work on railcars or components pending issue resolution.

Primary responsibilities and/or essential functions include, but are not limited to:

• Performs visual, dimensional, mechanical, and regulatory inspections of railcars and components throughout all stages of the repair and qualification process.
• Research and inspects incoming cars for defects and repairs required in accordance with regulations, repair standards, project letters, and customer specifications.
• Prepares and completes all documentation associated with inspections, including Billing Repair Card estimates, repair codes, labor hours, and material estimates.
• Ensures that all identified nonconforming conditions are reported through the appropriate forms, checklists, and nonconformance reporting system.
• Maintains complete and accurate inspection records and ensures the final car file is compliant and ready for release.
• Reviews shop-floor documentation to ensure completeness, accuracy, and regulatory compliance.
• Identifies repairs and assigns responsibility based on company policies, pricing matrices, and RBU profitability guidelines.
• Conducts audits to ensure production activities align with applicable standards and requirements.
• Works with production to plan shipments and ensure inspections are completed in a timely manner.
• Verify cars are properly secured, marked, closed, and identified prior to release for interchange.
• Interfaces with railroads, lessees, outside inspectors, and internal departments to resolve inspection findings and expedite the repair process.
• Conduct function specific training with employees
• Perform quality assurance administrative functions as needed including but not limited to: audit participation, document control, measuring and test equipment, root cause corrective action, etc.
• Identifies potential claims such as corrosion or loading‑rack damage and follows through to resolution.
• Enter pertinent car data into internal and industry regulatory systems including but not limited to: AS400, CRMS, MARS, Railinc, RPI, etc.
• Participates in and supports quality initiatives and Responsible Care activities.
• Uses judgment and discretion inspection, repair estimation, and documentation activities, escalating only unusual or unprecedented issues.

Skills/Specifications

• Ability to communicate technical information verbally and in writing.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office, AS400, Railsource and applicable electronic systems.
• Working knowledge of AAR and FRA regulations, Fleet Repair Standards, and company procedures.
• General mechanical aptitude and ability to use industry gauges (including AAR Rule 1 gages), test equipment, weld inspection tools, and dimensional inspection tools.
• Ability to interpret standards, drawings, regulations, repair instructions, and specifications.
• Ability to climb ladders up to 14 feet, bend, crawl, squat, kneel, and work in confined spaces.
• Ability to enter tank cars through manways 18–20 inches in diameter.
• Ability to tolerate heights, confined spaces, and inclement weather.
• Ability to wear PPE: safety shoes, hard hats, respirators, harnesses, earplugs, and safety glasses.
• Near visual acuity correctable to a J2 on a McKesson Jaeger Eye Chart
• Stamina to work across large shop areas and recognize danger signals to ensure safety.

The incumbent works to epitomize UTLX/PROX’s Quality Policy and ensures that subordinates work always meet internal and external customer expectations by fully applying himself/herself and seeing to it that subordinates apply themselves to the task involved, preventing errors, and implementing personal and departmental quality improvement projects. In addition, the incumbent is required to understand the Responsible Care Management System and actively participate in activities outlined therein.

Required Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of relevant railcar repair, inspection, or manufacturing experience.
• NDT Visual Testing (VT) Level II Certification per AAR M1002 Appendix T or equivalent ASNT/ISO standards. Or ability to obtain within 3 months of employment

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of AAR Office and Field Manuals as well as AAR, FRA regulations, tank car design, and inspection procedures.
• Knowledge of railcar components, airbrakes, corrosion, welding, coatings, nondestructive testing, service equipment, and interior railcar & coating inspection requirements.
• Working knowledge of computer systems including AS400, Microsoft Office, and electronic repair documentation platforms.
• Completion of basic Microsoft Excel and Word training courses.
• Additional certifications such as AWS CWI, AMPP Coating Inspector, or ASQ Quality Inspector/Technician.
• NDT Level II ACFM, MT, PT, UTT, RVI, IR & UT Certifications

Work Environment & Schedule

• Performing duties in an industrial railcar repair environment involves regular exposure to challenging physical and environmental conditions.
• Work is frequently conducted outdoors and may require extended periods in varying weather conditions.
• Employees are exposed to dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, heat, and noise associated with manufacturing and repair operations.
• The role requires moderate to heavy physical exertion, including lifting and carrying materials, climbing in and out of railcars, working at heights and in confined spaces.
• Ability to enter tank cars through 20‑inch manway openings.
• Manual dexterity and physical coordination are necessary to operate tools and safety equipment.
• Employees may experience minor cuts, bruises, or other risks typical of an industrial setting and must maintain constant awareness to safely operate equipment, particularly in confined or elevated areas.
• There is potential exposure to hazardous materials due to leaks or spills.
• Must be willing and able to work in an industrial repair environment, complying with all required personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety protocols
• Vision correctable to 20/30 for inspection activities.
• On-site work arrangement: 5 days a week, with overtime as required.

Disclaimer

Please note that the duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee's normal line of work. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

It is the policy of Union Tank Car Company to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons, and to recruit, hire, train, promote, and compensate persons in all jobs without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation, gender identify, protected veteran status or any other protected characteristic protected by the law.

Pay Range

61,200.00 - 74,800.00

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that may include medical, dental, vision, 401k matching, and more!

Following receipt of a conditional offer of employment, candidates will be required to complete additional job-related screening processes as permitted or required by applicable law.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all applicants will be considered for employment without attention to their membership in any protected class. If you require any reasonable accommodation to complete your application or any part of the recruiting process, please email your request to [e-mail], and please be sure to include the title and the location of the position for which you are applying.