Senior Road Foreman, Engines

NJ TRANSIT; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wage progression

Comprehensive family health insurance

Flexible spending account

Life insurance

Paid leave and paid time off

401(a) retirement plan

U.S. Railroad Retirement Benefits

Job summary

NJ TRANSIT is seeking a Senior Road Foreman Engines to oversee and coordinate Engineers' operations in Newark. This role includes supervising personnel, ensuring compliance with NJ Transit and FRA regulations, and conducting inspections. The ideal candidate has a high school diploma and at least 7 years in railroad operations, including supervisory experience. Benefits include family health insurance, retirement plans, and paid leave.

Qualifications

• Seven (7) years of progressive experience in railroad operations as qualified locomotive engineer.
• Experience in a supervisory or lead role.

Responsibilities

• Oversee Engineers and Assistant Engineers in train operations.
• Monitor crew schedules and equipment cycles.
• Manage qualification and performance of Engineers.
• Conduct locomotive inspections for safety.

Skills

Knowledge of railroad operations

Proficiency in reading regulations

Strong communication skills

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Associate degree in Transportation or related field

Job description

Move forward with us! At NJ TRANSIT, you'll join us in transforming the third‑largest transportation agency in North America. We are committed to delivering safe, reliable service that gets customers to their destinations on time–and we're looking to hire talented folks with a commitment to excellence to make it all possible.

Newark Division

Summary

The Senior Road Foreman Engines is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the supervision of Engineers and Assistant Engineers in all phases of train operations. They will test and evaluate the knowledge and skills of Engineers and Assistant Engineers seeking to obtain or retain certification, providing guidance, instruction, and will prescribe remedial action for any deficiency regarding NJ Transit, Amtrak, FRA, and NORAC rules and regulations. They coordinate with other departments to ensure the safe, on‑time, and efficient movement of trains.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Supervise Engineers and Assistant Engineers in all phases of train operations in conformance with NJ Transit, FRA, and NORAC rules and regulations to ensure the safe, on‑time, and efficient movement of trains.
• Monitor crew schedules and equipment cycles, and ensure their efficient and timely implementation. Respond to any disruptions of service requiring prolonged standing and modify crew and equipment cycles as needed.
• Monitor daily operations on the assigned line to ensure safe, reliable, on‑time service, and make operating adjustments as needed.
• Manage the qualification of Engineers and Assistant Engineers on all equipment, air brakes, physical characteristics, proper train handling, and operating rule compliance, and monitor their performance by riding trains, observing, and instructing.
• Conduct locomotive inspections from an operational standpoint to ensure they are in safe operating condition.
• Investigate accidents and unusual occurrences, document the causes, and take corrective action to prevent similar incidents.
• Continuously observe, correct, and train subordinates to ensure compliance with safety rules, policies, and procedures. Monitor the work environment for cleanliness and safety hazards and take corrective action.

This Position Supervises

• Locomotive Engineers

Education, Experience, and Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Seven (7) years of progressive experience in railroad operations, including passenger service as a qualified locomotive engineer and experience in a supervisory or lead role.

Knowledge and Skills

• In‑depth knowledge of railroad operations, including FRA regulations and requirements for the operation and movement of trains, maintenance of way, transportation, and required mechanical systems.
• Proficiency in reading and interpreting regulations and procedures.
• Strong verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage emergency situations and make independent judgments using sound reasoning and knowledge.
• An associate degree in Transportation, Business Administration, or Public Administration from a U.S. Department of Education accredited college or university can substitute for two (2) years of required experience.

Working Environment

• Frequent exposure to loud noise (>100 dB), fumes, and vibrations.

Physical Demands

• Occasional lifting of equipment and materials weighing up to 50 lbs (e.g., pry bars, track jacks).
• Frequent pushing and pulling with both hands to connect and disconnect rail cars, open train doors, and platforms (approx. 40 lbs pressure) during inspections.
• Frequent walking over rough and uneven terrain at a slow pace of up to 800 m.
• Frequent exposure to loud noise (>100 dB), fumes, and vibrations.

Other Conditions

• Expected to remain available to respond to staff at all times in case of an unusual incident or circumstance. May need to support operational needs off‑hours during staffing shortages or major events.

Benefits

• Wage progression
• Comprehensive family health insurance – prescription, dental, vision
• Flexible spending account
• Life insurance
• Paid leave and paid time off (personal, sick, and vacation days)
• 401(a) retirement plan – up to 5% match and 457‑deferred savings plan
• U.S. Railroad Retirement Benefits (RRB)

Equal Opportunity Employer

At NJ TRANSIT, diversity and inclusivity are vital to our success. We are committed to hiring individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and veteran status. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we encourage all qualified applicants to apply and join our team.