Tank Car Repair Technician I

Cathcart Rail, LLC; Ohio; On-site; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking skilled individuals to join their team in railcar repair. This role involves hands-on work, utilizing mechanical skills to inspect and repair railcars to meet customer and industry standards. Candidates should possess a safety mindset and enjoy working outdoors in varying conditions. With a competitive pay scale and a sign-on bonus, this opportunity offers a chance to grow within a leading freight rail services company. If you're passionate about hands-on mechanical work and eager to contribute to a vital industry, this position is perfect for you.

Benefits

Sign-on Bonus

Retention Bonus

Safety Training

Personal Protective Equipment Provided

Qualifications

• Experience in industrial or heavy manufacturing environments is preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret safety rules, manuals, and blueprints.

Responsibilities

• Perform railcar repairs following FRA and AAR rules.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area to comply with safety regulations.

Skills

Mechanical Skills

Welding

Communication Skills

Problem-Solving

Basic Math Skills

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Tools

Air Arc

Plasma Cutters

Welding Machines

Oxy-Fuel Equipment

Forklifts

Cranes

Backhoes

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Elk Mills Tank Shop - Elk Mills, MD

Position Type: Full Time

Education Level: Not Specified

Salary Range: Undisclosed

Travel Percentage: None

Job Shift: Any

Job Category: Installation - Maint - Repair

Description

Summary Description

Cathcart Rail, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, is a leading freight rail services and transportation company. We employ nearly 1,000 employees in more than 100 locations across 33 states and operate the largest railcar services network in the industry, including 18 large railcar repair facilities and over 75 field services locations, along with a rail services division managing three short line railroads and a dozen contract switching and transloading sites.

Incumbents will use mechanical skills to safely inspect and repair railcars to customer and industry specifications. A limited number of entry-level trainee positions are available; however, we seek candidates with rail industry or other industrial experience, including welding or mechanical assembly.

We offer a sign-on/retention bonus of $1,500, payable over the first 12 months, along with a competitive pay scale based on skills and experience. Candidates must have a safety and quality mindset and enjoy hands-on work in outdoor conditions year-round.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform railcar repairs following FRA and AAR rules
• Learn and adhere to all Cathcart Rail safety procedures
• Maintain a clean and organized work area to comply with safety, OSHA, and environmental regulations
• Follow written and verbal instructions effectively
• Work efficiently as part of a team
• Understand railcar and tank car components and work orders
• Manage inventory control
• Assist in disassembly of damaged railcars and tank cars
• Apply FRA and AAR Interchange Rules during repairs
• Maintain high-quality standards as per Cathcart Rail’s Quality Assurance Program
• Perform repairs including mechanics, grinding, touch-up painting, and decaling on railcars and tank cars
• Set up and operate hand and power tools such as air arc, plasma cutters, welding machines, and oxy-fuel equipment
• Follow safety protocols according to company and OSHA regulations
• Follow quality procedures aligned with company, AAR, FRA, and client-specific requirements
• Complete training to operate equipment like forklifts, cranes, and backhoes
• Meet welding standards such as AWS D15.1 and internal training requirements

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Experience in industrial or heavy manufacturing environments
• Ability to read and interpret safety rules, manuals, and blueprints
• Effective communication skills in speaking and writing
• Basic math skills and understanding of mathematical concepts
• Reasoning skills to solve practical problems
• Ability to pass fitness-for-duty, physical, and drug screenings

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The environment involves working both indoors and outdoors in various weather conditions, near moving machinery and vehicles, in high or confined spaces. The work is physically demanding, requiring proper body mechanics, and frequent use of heavy tools and equipment. Tasks include climbing, stooping, lifting, and working in confined spaces, with mandatory use of personal protective equipment as necessary.