Mechanical Engineering Apprentice Jobs in Boston, MA

At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA's core values are built around safety, service, equity, sustainability, culture, and accessibility, and each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values.

This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed. Job Summary The Mechanical Sub-Foreperson supports the Machine Shop Foreperson in the daily oversight of shop fabrication, mechanical repair, and overhaul activities. The role provides both structured and hands-on instruction to machine shop employees and apprentices at varying skill levels.

This position blends supervisory responsibilities with a strong instructional component, ensuring consistent application of mechanical standards, proper machining techniques, and effective employee development across the Authority. Work is performed in machine shops, maintenance facilities, fabrication areas, vehicle facilities, and field locations. The Mechanical Sub-Foreperson ensures that all activities comply with MBTA policies, procedures, and safety requirements.

This role is responsible for promoting and enforcing safe work practices within the machine shop, including compliance with machine guarding, lockout/tagout, PPE, lifting and rigging, hazardous-material, environmental, and equipment-operating requirements. The position must identify, document, report, and escalate unsafe conditions, defective equipment, training gaps, or other hazards and participate in safety briefings, inspections, investigations, and corrective-action activities as required. Duties & Responsibilities Assist the Machine Shop Foreperson in planning, assigning, prioritizing, overseeing, and reviewing mechanical repair, overhaul, machining, and fabrication work.

Assign and direct machinists, apprentices, trainees, and other assigned personnel within the limits of their training and qualifications. Inspect in-progress and completed work to ensure safe execution, dimensional accuracy, workmanship, schedule compliance, and adherence to technical specifications and Authority standards. Provide classroom, shop-based, and hands-on technical instruction to machinists, apprentices, trainees, and other assigned employees.

Train employees in the safe and proper use of machine tools, precision measuring instruments, manual and CNC equipment, shop machinery, and related systems. Interpret and explain diagrams, drawings, blueprints, technical specifications, repair procedures, and work instructions. Develop, maintain, and deliver instructional materials, demonstrations, lesson plans, training modules, practical exercises, and assessments.

Conduct pre-training, post-training, and practical evaluations to assess skill development and qualification readiness. Monitor completion of required training modules, certifications, and qualifications and maintain accurate training records. Review and document work assignments, production activity, training participation, employee performance, and maintenance records using applicable manual and computerized systems.

Identify workmanship, tooling, material, equipment, training, staffing, or safety concerns and escalate them to the Machine Shop Foreperson or other appropriate management. Ensure compliance with applicable safety rules, PPE requirements, machine-guarding requirements, lockout/tagout procedures, environmental requirements, and shop operating procedures. Ensure tools, machinery, equipment, materials, inventory, and facilities are properly used, maintained, and protected.

Support the development of improved machining methods, training techniques, technical reports, tooling, fixtures, presentations, and procedures. Coordinate with Engineering, Training, Quality, Safety, Materials, and other departments as needed. Assume the responsibilities of the Machine Shop Foreperson as assigned or in their absence.

Respond to emergencies, service needs, and operational requirements as directed. Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned. Minimum Requirements & Qualifications A high school diploma or equivalent from an accredited institution.

Five (5) years of machinist experience in a precision machine shop environment, including complex repair, maintenance, overhaul, fabrication, manual machining, CNC machining, close-tolerance measurement, component reconditioning, and mechanical system restoration. Demonstrated ability to interpret and work from diagrams, drawings, blueprints, technical specifications, repair procedures, and written instructions. Experience in a supervisory, lead worker, acting, training, or instructional capacity within a machine shop, mechanical, manufacturing, or maintenance environment.

Demonstrated ability to operate and provide instruction on machine tools, precision measuring equipment, manual machinery, CNC equipment, and related shop systems. Effective communication, instructional, organizational, analytical, and conflict-resolution skills. Ability to train, guide, evaluate, and provide constructive feedback to employees at varying skill levels.

Ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel, database applications, computerized maintenance systems, and training-record systems. Possess a valid driver's license. Ability to supervise and work effectively with a diverse workforce.

Ability to provide internal and external customers with a courteous and professional experience. Ability to successfully complete training in instructional techniques and adult-learning principles within a timeframe established by the Authority. Preferred Experience & Skills Technical degree, trade-school diploma, apprenticeship, or machinist/mechanical certification from an accredited institution.

Advanced experience operating, troubleshooting, and maintaining lathes, mills, grinders, CNC equipment, and precision measuring tools. Experience developing and delivering technical training related to machining processes, equipment operation, technical measurement, blueprint reading, and shop safety. Supervisory or lead-level experience in a precision machine shop, manufacturing, overhaul, or fleet-maintenance environment.

Experience with workflow planning, quality assurance, dimensional inspection, tooling, fixtures, and root-cause analysis. Experience using computerized maintenance, manufacturing, quality, or learning-management systems. Job Conditions: Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc.

in English. Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program. Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.

Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences. Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required). Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.

Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies. Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection). Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.

Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service. Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op. Additionally, interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S

Social Security Number prior to starting pre-employment screenings / pre-boarding, working in their positions, and throughout the duration of their program. Disclaimers and Definitions: General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position. Application Completion: It is each applicant's responsibility to ensure application details are entered completely and correctly, including updated work and education histories (past and current).

Incomplete applications may not be considered. Attachments do not substitute for application fields. The recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history.

Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established. Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

See job description for role-specific requirements. Work Eligibility: All employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States and on an unrestricted basis. The MBTA does not have an employer work sponsorship program.

However, if you have unrestricted work authorization, or are sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply. Further, all persons hired will require a U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting the position and employees will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S

Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one-time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview.

In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email. Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.

On-call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority. Essential / Emergency Staff: During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management. ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities.

If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTA's ADA Unit at 617-222-5751 or hradaaa@mbta.com. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. For terms, descriptions, and definitions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, veteran status, and immediate family members that you may find on the application form, please visit mbta.com/careers-app-definitions

Intern / Co-Op Benefits: Employees taking part in an internship or co-op at the MBTA are eligible to receive accrued paid sick leave as well as a monthly transportation pass, based on the city from which the intern / co-op commutes to work, at no cost. However, no additional benefits are currently offered for interns or co-ops.