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Contract Railroad Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Hitachi

Contracts Specialist

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site

HITACHI RAIL STS USA, INC. Profession (Job Category): Customer Service & Contact Center Operations ... Strong experience with contract terms and conditions negotiation expertise * Strong skill ...

Pyramid IT

Ruby on Rails - Contract Position

Columbus, OH

$99K - $135K/yr

Contract Exp: 6+ years Must have skills: Ruby on Rails Worked extensively with Ruby, Ruby on Rails. Experience with HTML5, Javascript. Languages and Web Technologies: Java, J2EE, JDBC, Java Script ...

AK Steel

Railroad Service Technician

Cleveland, OH

Railroad employees are subjected to all weather conditions, including extreme heat conditions ... Cleveland-Cliffs has a contract with the United Steelworkers that requires each employee hired into ...

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Contract Railroad information

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$17

$26

$49

How much do contract railroad jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract railroad in the United States is $26.18, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.19 and $28.61 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by Contract Railroad workers when adapting to different worksites and clients?

Contract Railroad workers often transition between various projects, each with unique operational standards, safety protocols, and client expectations. Adapting quickly to new environments, understanding site-specific rules, and communicating effectively with unfamiliar teams can be challenging. Building flexibility, staying current on safety certifications, and maintaining a proactive approach to learning site requirements help professionals excel in this fast-paced, variable work setting.

What is the difference between Contract Railroad vs Railroad Conductor?

AspectContract RailroadRailroad Conductor
CredentialsVaries, often includes safety certifications and experience in rail operationsHigh school diploma or equivalent, safety training, and certification
Work EnvironmentContract-based, often on specific projects or short-term assignmentsEmployed by a railroad company, working on daily train operations
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by various rail companies for flexible staffingEmployed directly by a railroad company, integral to train crew
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for employment flexibility and project-based workCompared for daily operational roles and responsibilities

In summary, Contract Railroad workers typically operate on a temporary or project basis, offering flexibility for rail companies, while Railroad Conductors are full-time employees responsible for train operations and safety. Both roles require safety certifications and industry knowledge but differ mainly in employment structure and work environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Contract Railroad Worker, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Railroad Worker, you need a solid understanding of railroad operations, safety protocols, and equipment handling, often supported by a high school diploma or equivalent and on-the-job training. Familiarity with track maintenance machinery, inspection tools, and sometimes certifications such as FRA track safety standards is typically required. Attention to detail, teamwork, and strong communication skills are vital soft skills in this field. These abilities ensure safe, efficient railroad operations and help prevent accidents or costly delays.

What are contract railroad workers?

Contract railroad workers are professionals who are employed by third-party companies, rather than directly by a railroad company, to perform specialized tasks on railroads. Their work may include track construction, maintenance, repairs, inspections, or other services required to keep railroad operations running smoothly. This arrangement allows railroads to access skilled labor for specific projects or during peak periods without expanding their permanent workforce. Contract railroad workers often travel to various job sites and must follow strict safety and industry regulations.
More about Contract Railroad jobs
What cities are hiring for Contract Railroad jobs? Cities with the most Contract Railroad job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Railroad jobs? The most popular types of Railroad jobs are:
What states have the most Contract Railroad jobs? States with the most job openings for Contract Railroad jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Contract Railroad jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Contract Railroad jobs are:
Contract Railroad jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Railroad job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 62% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 80% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,445 per year, or $26.2 per hour.

Freight Rail Engineering Project Manager - Railroad

Succession Planning for Railroads Investing in the Next Generation LLC

Dallas, TX • On-site

$100K - $280K/yr

Full-time

Retirement

Re-posted 7 days ago

Job description

We are seeking a Freight Rail Engineering Project Manager to join our rapidly growing Transportation Practice. Our ideal candidate will be someone with excellent client interaction skills who can manage and lead planning and design teams for engineering projects both locally and across the nation.
 
In this position, you will be a key part of a seller/doer team and you will manage all aspects of railroad/transit engineering projects from business development, scope and fee development, staffing plan development, project oversight, quality management, and financial performance responsibilities. A major emphasis will be placed on leading rail industrial development projects to successful completion.
 
Responsibilities
  • Adhere to the companies safety programs, training, and policies, as well as promote and manage the Safety & Health performance of project team members and subcontractors.
  • Work with a multi-discipline team of engineers and technicians in the design and analysis of rail engineering projects as well as the contractors and construction staff on design/build projects.
  • Provides leadership and guidance in multiple facets of projects including safety, quality, engineering, procurement, construction, environmental compliance, project controls, and public/community relations.
  • Develop new and manage existing client relationships while interfacing with the client for proposal and project-related items.
  • Lead internal and external project risk reviews and consult with the Legal Department as required.
  • Client development, maintenance, and management; contract preparation and negotiation; coordination with regulatory agencies; project planning, budgeting, and scheduling; and the establishment of critical project objectives and performances.
  • Plans, organizes, and communicates project personnel needs to department and section management.
  • Mentors less experienced staff on technical aspects of a project.
  • Serves as a leader improving the latest technologies in rail engineering and transportation planning.
  • Leading project planning, budgeting and establishing critical project objectives.
  • Analyze and communicate project status, risks, schedule and costs to all internal and external stakeholders.
  • Manage downstream contract administration including request for information (RFI's), submittals, change management, contract closeout, and claims mitigation.
  • Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field from an accredited curriculum.
  • Minimum 7 years related experience (15 preferred), including 5 or more years in the development of or management of rail engineering or architectural projects.
  • Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) strongly preferred.
  • Experience managing rail industrial development design-build projects preferred.
  • Ability to work with existing and new clients to identify new projects, articulate to the clients our ability to perform those projects, and translate that into the sale of consulting services.
  • Ability to lead multi-discipline teams of engineers.
  • Strong communication skills (both verbal and written) and presentation skills.
  • Ability to perform under pressure and tight deadlines while managing multiple projects concurrently, including identification of critical path items to ensure deliverable deadlines are met.
  • Ability to focus on the big picture to effectively and efficiently provide services that meet client needs, while also having the ability to identify and analyze details that are critical to project outcomes.
  • Willingness to learn new service offerings as client needs and the market requires changes to the service offerings provided by our group.
  • Willingness and ability to develop a broad set of service offering types to allow for flexibility to sell work in growing markets.
  • Willingness to cross-sell other services offered by our company outside the project manager's core set of services.
  • Ability to communicate with various business contacts to understand their needs and translate them into a scope of work that meets their desired outcomes.
  • Knowledge of rail engineering methodologies and standards.
  • Knowledge of engineering software including MicroStation, OpenRail, Geopak, Inroads, or equivalent design/production software.
  • Experience working with rail clients.
Benefits
  • Our extensive benefits package takes care of you so that you can focus on doing great work. From insurance and disability to time off and wellness programs, we provide the tools to meet your needs. As part of being 100% employee-owned, eligible employees participate in our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) in addition to our 401(k) retirement program.
$100,000 - $280,000 a year
$100,000.00-280,000.00 Yearly
 
The expected compensation range for this position is displayed in compliance with all local/state regulations. The expected compensation range for this position is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to: individual education, qualifications, prior work experience and work location. The total annual compensation package will consist of a base salary and eligibility to participate in our discretionary year-end incentive bonus program.
EEO/Disabled/Veterans
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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