How to hire a locomotive engineer

How to hire a locomotive engineer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step locomotive engineer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a locomotive engineer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new locomotive engineer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your locomotive engineer job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a locomotive engineer for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a locomotive engineer to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a locomotive engineer that fits the bill.

   The following list breaks down different types of locomotive engineers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Locomotive Engineer	Description	Hourly rate
   Locomotive Engineer	Workers in railroad occupations ensure that passenger and freight trains run on time and travel safely. Some workers drive trains, some coordinate the activities of the trains, and others operate signals and switches in the rail yard.	$18-36
   Conductor	Conductors are generally responsible for interpreting the composition to reflect the set demonstration in that composition, setting the rhythm, making sure of the precise entries, and creating the proper phrasing. They communicate with their musicians fundamentally through hand gestures with the use of a baton and may use other signals like eye contact... Show more	$19-39
   Engineer	Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects... Show more	$31-62

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Safety Procedures
   • Locomotives
   • FRA
   • Rail Cars
   • Conductors
   • Safety Rules
   • Air Brakes
   • Yard Service
   • Mechanical Problems
   • Air Pressure
   • Hazardous Materials
   • Federal Regulations
   • Defective Equipment
   • Hazmat

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Receive verbal directions via radio or hand signals from conductors and brakemen and subsequently follow directions accordingly.
   • Marshal 90-car coal trains for transfer to CSX.
   • Qualify on GCOR and CSX signal and operating rules.
   • Evaluate train make-up to properly handle placement of HAZMAT materials.
   • Master all rules, signals, equipment, and physical characteristics including those of Conrail and Amtrak.
   • Couple and uncouple rail cars by operating controls such as throttles, airbrakes, switches, gates, and wheel chocks.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your locomotive engineer job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A locomotive engineer can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, locomotive engineers' average salary in arkansas is 41% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level locomotive engineers 49% less than senior-level locomotive engineers.
   • Certifications. A locomotive engineer with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a locomotive engineer's salary.

   Average locomotive engineer salary

   $55,268yearly

   $26.57 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level locomotive engineer salary

   $39,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing a locomotive engineer job description

   A locomotive engineer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a locomotive engineer job description:

   Locomotive engineer job description example

   The person in this position operates an electric or diesel-electric locomotive and interprets train orders, train signals, and railroad rules and regulations to transport freight or passenger trains in a safe manner.
   RESPONSIBILITIES:
   •Inspect locomotive for operational readiness by making FRA- and company-required checks and tests
   •Receive train consist, which provides the physical makeup of train and includes weights, lengths, location of loads and empties, and cars requiring special handling
   •Apply knowledge of territory, including terrain, grades, curves, and grade crossings, in order to give prescribed warning signals and to otherwise operate the train in a safe manner
   •Comply with train orders, train signals, radio communications, and railroad rules and regulations to operate the locomotive in an efficient and safe manner
   •Observe track to detect obstructions and to anticipate operating problems, as required by federal or company rules; diagnose minor malfunctions and perform minor maintenance and servicing activities when maintenance personnel are not available
   •Confer with conductor or traffic-control personnel by radio to give or receive information and to give instructions concerning stops, delays, or oncoming trains
   •Notify proper authorities and prepare reports to explain accidents, unscheduled stops, or delays
   •Assist with other projects and perform other duties as assigned
   
   REQUIRED SKILLS AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
   •Ability to understand printed and written and oral communications
   •Ability to recognize colors and understand visual displays
   •Ability to make logical choices and/or draw logical conclusions
   •Ability to judge speed/distance of objects or moving parts
   •Good eye/hand coordination
   •Ability to take actions and/or make decisions affecting security/well-being of others
   •Two years of related work experience and one year of conductor experience; two years of conductor experience preferred
   •Experience in a 24/7 work environment with exposure to outside weather conditions
   
   REQUIRED EDUCATION AND/OR CREDENTIALS:
   •High school diploma or GED; or an equivalent combination of education and work experience •Associate degree and valid engineer certification preferred
   
   This position is employed by the specific entity set forth in the job posting.
   
   Genesee & Wyoming Inc. and its subsidiary companies do not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or any other protected status under federal, state or local laws.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find locomotive engineers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any locomotive engineers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level locomotive engineers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your locomotive engineer job on Zippia to find and recruit locomotive engineer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with locomotive engineer candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new locomotive engineer

   Once you've found the locomotive engineer candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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