Rail Switching Technician

Railserve; Lake Charles (LA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Holiday pay

Vacation

Job summary

Railserve is hiring Rail Switching Technicians to support daily rail switching operations in an industrial rail environment in Lake Charles, LA. This full-time role involves safely moving, placing, and switching railcars to support customer operations and production schedules.

The ideal candidate will be dependable, safety-focused, and able to work outdoors in varying weather conditions. Training and advancement opportunities are available within Railserve's growing operations.

Qualifications

• HS diploma or GED required.
• Reliable transportation required.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to walk on uneven terrain and lift heavy equipment or materials.

Responsibilities

• Operate locomotives and rail equipment safely and efficiently.
• Perform railcar switching and placement according to operational schedules.
• Interpret train orders, signals, and operating procedures.
• Inspect locomotives prior to operation and ensure safety checks.
• Operate switches, brakes, and air hoses; communicate movements with crews.
• Complete reports related to delays, incidents, or operational activity.

Skills

Rail switching

Locomotives operation

Safety procedures

Communication

Education

HS diploma or GED

Job description

Rail Switching Technician page is loaded## Rail Switching Technicianlocations: Lake Charles, LAtime type: Full timeposted on: Posted Yesterdaytime left to apply: End Date: December 4, 2026 (30+ days left to apply)job requisition id: JR0000046148RailserveAs 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.Railserve is hiring dependable and safety-focused Rail Switching Technicians to support daily rail switching operations within an industrial rail environment. This is a full-time, hands-on role critical to the safe movement, placement, and switching of railcars that support customer operations and production schedules.**Who We Are**Railserve is a leading provider of industrial railyard services across the United States and Canada. Our teams deliver on-site rail switching, material handling and transloading, track construction and maintenance, and locomotive service and repair for customers who depend on safe, reliable rail operations every day. With decades of industry experience, Railserve is built on a foundation of safety, teamwork, and operational excellence. We invest in our people, promote from within, and use innovative, safety-focused technology to keep railyards running efficiently. Learn more at Railserve.com.**Job Description**Rail Switching Technicians are responsible for safely operating locomotives and rail equipment while coordinating railcar movement throughout an industrial facility. This role supports the timely and accurate switching, placement, and movement of railcars while maintaining compliance with company safety procedures and customer operating requirements.Employees work in active industrial rail yard environments around locomotives, railcars, heavy equipment, and moving machinery. Daily responsibilities include operating switches and brakes, coupling and uncoupling railcars, inspecting equipment, and communicating movement instructions with crews and site leadership.The ideal candidate is dependable, safety-focused, mechanically inclined, and comfortable working outdoors in varying weather conditions. Strong attendance, communication skills, and a commitment to safety are critical for success in this role.Railserve promotes from within and provides opportunities for advancement into Crew Leader, Site Leadership, and other skilled rail operations positions.**Duties**- Operate locomotives and rail equipment safely and efficiently- Perform railcar switching and placement according to operational schedules- Interpret train orders, signals, and operating procedures- Inspect locomotives prior to operation- Operate hand and ground throw switches, derails, and gates- Control equipment movement using radio communication, hand signals, and lanterns- Couple and uncouple railcars and connect air hoses- Apply and release hand brakes to secure equipment- Observe tracks and surroundings for safety hazards or obstructions- Handle train equipment safely using independent and automatic brakes- Assist in training new employees as needed- Complete reports related to delays, incidents, or operational activity- Lubricate and inspect locomotive components as required- Wear required personal protective equipment at all times- Follow company operating procedures and safety requirements- Perform additional operational duties as assigned**Job Requirements**- High school diploma or GED required- Reliable transportation required- Strong attendance and dependability required- Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions- Ability to walk on uneven terrain and climb on rail equipment- Ability to lift, carry, and handle heavy equipment and materials- Strong communication and teamwork skills- Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities safely and effectively- Strong attention to detail and situational awareness- Ability to follow safety rules, operating procedures, and instructions- Ability to participate in Railserve's pre-employment screening process- Military experience is a plus**What We Offer (Benefits)**Railserve is committed to being an Employer of Choice, offering competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package:- Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage- Company-paid employee and dependent life insurance- Company-paid sickness and accident income- 401(k) with company match- Annual safety shoe reimbursement- Prescription safety wear- Holiday pay- Vacation- Marmon employee discount program**Additional Information**- Outdoor industrial rail yard environment- Exposure to locomotives, railcars, moving machinery, noise, dust, and varying weather conditions- Moderate to heavy physical labor required- Frequent walking, climbing, balancing, bending, kneeling, and lifting- Required use of personal protective equipment- Safety-sensitive position requiring strict compliance with company and customer safety procedures**Grow With Us**Don't worry if you don't meet every qualification. Railserve values reliability, work ethic, and a willingness to learn. Our tools, technology, and processes continue to evolve, and we invest in training and developing our people for long-term success.Railserve provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals. We recruit, hire, train, promote, and compensate employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.#LI-DNIFollowing 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.Wherever you're at in your career, our people and resources will help you go further. As you grow your skills, you can also move up and around our 120+ companies.