How to hire a rail car mechanic

How to hire a rail car mechanic, step by step

Here's a step-by-step rail car mechanic hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a rail car mechanic, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A rail car mechanic's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, rail car mechanics from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of rail car mechanic salaries for various roles:

   Type of Rail Car Mechanic	Description	Hourly rate
   Rail Car Mechanic	Heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians inspect, maintain, and repair vehicles and machinery used in construction, farming, rail transportation, and other industries.	$13-39
   Carman	A carman repairs and restores different kinds of vehicles. Although their responsibilities vary upon their company of employment, it usually entails inspecting vehicles for any damages, fixing or replacing components, attaching different parts, and doing minor paint jobs... Show more	$11-45
   Mechanic	Mechanics are professionals responsible for assembling, maintaining, and repairing vehicles and types of machinery. They are knowledgeable of various tools and equipment, machinery, electrical systems, and other components... Show more	$16-30

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Mechanical Repairs
   • Hand Tools
   • Shop Equipment
   • Torches
   • HVAC

   Responsibilities:

   • Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database.
   • Change out turnbuckles and couplers.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, rail car mechanics' average salary in montana is 47% less than in connecticut.
   • Seniority. Entry-level rail car mechanics 66% less than senior-level rail car mechanics.
   • Certifications. A rail car mechanic 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 rail car mechanic's salary.

   Average rail car mechanic salary

   $48,265yearly

   $23.20 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level rail car mechanic salary

   $28,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

4. Writing a rail car mechanic job description

   A job description for a rail car mechanic role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a rail car mechanic job description:

   Rail car mechanic job description example

   * Department: [[department]]
   * Job Type: Full-Time
   * Location: Harvey, North Dakota
   * Country: United States
   * # of Positions: 1
   * Compensation Rate:
   * Job Available to: Internal & External
   * Deadline to apply: 11/25/2022
   
   Canadian Pacific is a transcontinental railway in Canada and the United States with direct links to major ports on the west and east coasts. CP provides North American customers a competitive rail service with access to key markets in every corner of the globe. CP is growing with its customers, offering a suite of freight transportation services, logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Visit cpr.ca to see the rail advantages of CP. For more on our purpose, culture, and strategy, visit cpr.ca/en/about-cp.
   
   PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:
   
   In this challenging role you will be a member of a team working in a high production environment performing preventative and corrective maintenance to Railcars.
   
   POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES:
   
   * Repair, maintain and inspect freight car equipment in a safe and efficient manner;
   * Perform all preventative maintenance work & repairs on trucks, underframe, structure, safety appliances, braking systems, draft systems and any associated tests;
   * Perform all work associated with rush repairs, road work and supplementary service operation of equipment;
   * Repair and application of all associated piping & valves, guards, shrouds, covers and any cutting, burning, welding, grinding, soldiering and brazing associated with removal or application of components;
   * Work all around, under, between, on top and inside of rail cars.
   
   POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
   
   * Must have a High School Diploma or General Equivalence Diploma;
   * Must be able to obtain a CDL License within 60 days of hire;
   * Preference will be given to those who possess a journeyman certification or is a journeyman welder;
   * Boilermaker/ironworker would be an asset;
   * Experience with heavy metal fabrication/welding would be an asset
   * Must be able to work within strict established safety and work guidelines/rules to complete job;
   * Strong problem solving and computer skills;
   * You must possess strong interpersonal and communication skills both written and verbal;
   * The Railway operates 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year; must be able to work on various shifts and on weekends in adverse weather conditions.
   
   WHAT CP HAS TO OFFER
   
   * Flexible and competitive benefits package
   * Employer-funded Retirement plan
   * Annual Fitness Subsidy
   * Part-time Studies program
   
   ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
   
   Medical Requirements:
   
   CP is committed to the safety and health of its employees and the general public. This position is a safety critical/sensitive position; all new hires will be required to complete a pre-employment medical that includes a physical, vision, hearing, alcohol and drug audit assessments. Qualification drug test(s) are also required.
   
   Background Investigation:
   
   The successful candidate will need to successfully complete the following clearances:
   
   * Criminal history check
   * Last 3 years of driving history
   * Last 7 years of employment history; includes military service
   * Social Security number verification
   
   CP is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, inclusive of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find rail car mechanics for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit rail car mechanics, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   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 rail car mechanic

   Once you've found the rail car mechanic 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.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   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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