How to hire a railroad engineer

How to hire a railroad engineer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step railroad 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 railroad engineer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new railroad engineer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the railroad engineer you need to hire. Certain railroad engineer roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect railroad engineer also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

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

   Type of Railroad Engineer	Description	Hourly rate
   Railroad 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.	$18-35
   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
   Train Engineer	A train engineer is responsible for operating train engines and controls to transport passengers from one station to another. Train engineers must have excellent mechanical and organizational skills to drive the train, including speed and battery pressure... Show more	$24-63

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • FRA
   • CSX
   • Safety Rules
   • Rail Cars
   • Switches
   • Locomotives
   • Air Pressure
   • Hazardous Materials

   Responsibilities:

   • Inspect equipment, locomotives and all appliances to be used, reporting or correcting any safety issues discover.
   • Preform daily safety inspection of locomotive to ensure safe operations according to FRA and company policy.
   • Qualify on all NORAC rules and physical characteristics of the regional territory.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your railroad engineer job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A railroad engineer salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, railroad engineers' average salary in arkansas is 42% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level railroad engineers earn 47% less than senior-level railroad engineers.
   • Certifications. A railroad engineer with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a railroad engineer's salary.

   Average railroad engineer salary

   $54,315yearly

   $26.11 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level railroad engineer salary

   $39,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 13, 2025

4. Writing a railroad engineer job description

   A railroad 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. Below, you can find an example of a railroad engineer job description:

   Railroad engineer job description example

   **7061BR**
   
   **PRS Facility Location:**
   
   Jacksonville, FL Signal - 052
   
   **Job Purpose:**
   
   Progress Rail is looking for an experienced signal engineer. The ideal candidate will be responsible for creating signal designs for various freight projects.
   
   
   7061BR
   
   **Company Description:**
   
   Progress Rail, a Caterpillar company, is an integrated rolling stock and infrastructure provider, delivering a full range of products and services to domestic and international railroad customers. Our customers enjoy one-stop shopping and comprehensive cradle-to-grave railway solutions - whether it rolls on the rail or is the rail itself. From locomotives, transit, freight cars and engines, to tracks, signals and advanced technology, we ensure customers can count on us to meet all their rail needs.
   
   Forging the bridge between ideas and success, our talented and innovative team members work together to address the challenges of the rail industry today, ensuring success for the future. As part of a vibrant, global network of business operations, each and every member of our team is important to our success. With headquarters in Albertville, Ala., more than 7,000 dedicated employees serve customers through a network of close to 150 locations around the world. For more information, visit www.progressrail.com and follow us @Progress_Rail on Twitter and YouTube.
   
   **Education / Training:**
   
   • Bachelor's Degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering
   
   **Job Title:**
   
   Engineer, Railroad Signal
   
   **City:**
   
   Jacksonville
   
   **Key Job Elements:**
   
   • Design wayside signal systems and highway crossing warning systems to customer specifications using AutoCAD and MicroStation software;
   
   • Design electrical and equipment schematics to ensure safe and effective movement of trains;
   
   • Implement quality initiatives at the design level;
   
   • High level of detailed work.
   
   **Qualifications and Experience:**
   
   • 3 years+ railroad signaling experience;
   
   • High analytical and problem solving skills;
   
   • Ability to work independently and accurately under tight deadlines;
   
   • Skilled attention to detail;
   
   • Strong communication skills both written and verbal;
   
   • Competent computer skills;
   
   • Continuous focus on learning;
   
   • CAD and MicroStation experience preferred.
   
   **EEO:**
   
   Equal Opportunity Employer - Race/Color/Sex/Religion/National Origin/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Vets/Disabilities
   
   **Benefits:**
   
   Progress Rail Services Corporation and its subsidiary and affiliate companies offer an excellent total compensation package* including competitive salary, 401(k) plan with company match, available medical/dental/vision/life/disability insurance along with flexible spending and paid vacation and holidays. Relocation assistance may be available for some positions.
   
   _*Benefits eligibility differs by job position and employment status - governing plan documents control such benefits.._
   
   **Job Category:**
   
   Engineering
   
   **Work Location Options:**
   
   Jacksonville, FL
   
   **State::**
   
   Florida

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right railroad engineer for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit railroad engineers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete 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 railroad engineer

   Once you've decided on a perfect railroad engineer candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   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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