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Progressive Rail Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Car Repair I

Latonia, KY · On-site

$20/hr

Progress Rail stands at the intersection of legacy and innovation--driving the future of rail with a pioneering spirit. Since its founding in 1983, the company has grown to become one of the world ...

Progress Rail stands at the intersection of legacy and innovation-driving the future of rail with a pioneering spirit. Since its founding in 1983, the company has grown to become one of the world ...

Scale Master

Albertville, AL · On-site

$15.25 - $19.75/hr

Company Description Progress Rail stands at the intersection of legacy and innovation-driving the future of rail with a pioneering spirit. Since its founding in 1983, the company has grown to become ...

New

Machinist I

Lincoln, NE · On-site

$19 - $26/hr

Company Description Progress Rail stands at the intersection of legacy and innovation-driving the future of rail with a pioneering spirit. Since its founding in 1983, the company has grown to become ...

Material Handler

Belton, MO · On-site

$14.75 - $18/hr

Company Description Progress Rail stands at the intersection of legacy and innovation-driving the future of rail with a pioneering spirit. Since its founding in 1983, the company has grown to become ...

MACHINE OPERATOR

Sidney, NE · On-site

$17.25 - $20.75/hr

Company Description Progress Rail stands at the intersection of legacy and innovation-driving the future of rail with a pioneering spirit. Since its founding in 1983, the company has grown to become ...

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Progressive Rail information

See salary details

$442

$1.6K

$3.3K

How much do progressive rail jobs pay per week?

As of Jul 7, 2026, the average weekly pay for progressive rail in the United States is $1,602.85, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $798.08 and $2,173.08 per week, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a railroad operations professional at Progressive Rail, and why are they important?

To thrive as a railroad operations professional at Progressive Rail, you need a solid understanding of rail transport procedures, safety regulations, and equipment operation, often supported by a high school diploma or relevant technical training. Familiarity with train control systems, dispatch software, and safety compliance certifications such as FRA regulations is typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and clear communication are essential soft skills for coordinating schedules and ensuring safe, efficient operations. These competencies are critical to maintaining operational safety, minimizing delays, and ensuring regulatory compliance in a demanding transportation environment.

What is the highest paying railroad job?

The highest paying railroad jobs are typically management positions such as railroad executives, operations managers, or safety directors, which can earn six-figure salaries. Skilled technical roles like locomotive engineers and signal maintainers also earn high wages, especially with experience and certifications. These roles often require specialized training, certifications, and experience in the industry.

How much does Progressive Rail pay?

The pay for positions at Progressive Rail varies depending on the role, experience, and location. Entry-level positions such as track laborers or maintenance workers typically start around minimum wage, while more skilled roles like engineers or conductors can earn higher salaries, often ranging from $50,000 to $80,000 annually. Compensation may also include benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans.

What is Progressive Rail?

Progressive Rail is a short line railroad company that operates freight rail services in several regions across the United States. They specialize in providing flexible, customer-focused rail transportation solutions, often connecting local industries to the larger national rail network. Progressive Rail is known for its personalized service and ability to tailor logistics solutions for businesses of all sizes, helping to move goods efficiently and cost-effectively. The company also offers warehousing, transloading, and other logistics services to support their customers’ supply chains.

What is the difference between Progressive Rail vs Signal Maintainer?

AspectProgressive RailSignal Maintainer
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma, technical trainingHigh school diploma, technical training, certifications in signal systems
Work EnvironmentRail yards, tracks, maintenance facilitiesRail yards, trackside, electrical rooms
Employer & Industry UsageRailroad companies, freight and passenger railRailroad companies, transit agencies
Common Search & ComparisonProgressive Rail vs Signal Maintainer

Progressive Rail and Signal Maintainer roles both operate within the railroad industry, often sharing similar credentials and work environments. However, Signal Maintainers specifically focus on installing, maintaining, and repairing signal systems essential for train safety and operations. Progressive Rail roles may encompass broader maintenance tasks, including track and equipment upkeep. Understanding these distinctions helps job seekers identify the right career path within the rail industry.

Is it hard to get hired on the railroad?

Getting hired as a railroad worker can be competitive and often requires meeting physical requirements, passing background checks, and sometimes obtaining certifications such as safety training or operating licenses. Experience with machinery, good communication skills, and a willingness to work irregular hours can improve chances of employment in the industry.

Is Progress Rail a good company to work for?

Progress Rail is a well-established company in the rail industry, offering roles such as manufacturing, maintenance, and engineering. Employees generally cite competitive pay, benefits, and a focus on safety, though experiences can vary by location and position.

What are some typical challenges faced by employees working at Progressive Rail, and how can they be managed effectively?

Employees at Progressive Rail often encounter challenges such as adapting to variable work schedules, working outdoors in different weather conditions, and ensuring strict adherence to safety protocols. Effective communication and teamwork are essential to manage these challenges, as rail operations require close coordination between crew members and other departments. Ongoing training and a strong safety culture help employees stay prepared and confident in handling unexpected situations. Embracing flexibility and maintaining a proactive approach to problem-solving can make day-to-day responsibilities more manageable and rewarding.
More about Progressive Rail jobs
What cities are hiring for Progressive Rail jobs? Cities with the most Progressive Rail job openings:
What states have the most Progressive Rail jobs? States with the most job openings for Progressive Rail jobs include:
Infographic showing various Progressive Rail job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 88% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $83,348 per year, or $40.1 per hour.
VP, Human Resources

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 20 days ago


Progress Rail rating

7.1

Company rating: 7.1 out of 10

Based on 65 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

282nd of 421 rated machine equipment manufacturers


Job description

Job Purpose
The Vice President of Human Resources is a strategic leader responsible for developing and executing HR strategies that support Progress Rail's mission, growth, and culture. Working with the SVP Corporate Services, the VP of HR will be responsible for executing the people strategy for Progress Rail globally by collaborating to align innovative talent solutions with business objectives to fuel the company's profitable growth. As a key advisor to senior leadership, the VP of HR for Progress Rail will be a champion of a high-performance, inclusive work culture.
The ideal candidate for this role is a fast-paced, dynamic and strategic leader who understands the critical importance of developing strategies to attract and retain key talent. Candidates should have a proven track record in driving organizational transformation with the ability to skillfully identify and relentlessly pursue process improvements to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Candidates must possess a strong executive presence, enabling them to influence and inspire at all levels of the organization, and be skilled in navigating complex challenges with a commitment to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
Company Description
Progress Rail stands at the intersection of legacy and innovation-driving the future of rail with a pioneering spirit. Since its founding in 1983, the company has grown to become one of the world's largest and most trusted providers of railroad products, services, and technologies. Today, Progress Rail delivers a comprehensive portfolio of cost-effective solutions to railway customers around the globe. From the rails themselves to the EMD® locomotives that ride them, the company's products are in operation across more than 100 countries-powering progress and connecting communities. In 2006, Progress Rail joined Caterpillar Inc., further strengthening its ability to lead the rail industry with cutting-edge technology, unmatched expertise, and a commitment to excellence. At Progress Rail, the team is not just building the future of rail-they are making history every day.
Key Job Elements
Strategic Leadership
As a strategic advisor to the executive team, the VP of Human Resources will translate business priorities into a focused set of people initiatives that strengthen organizational capability and readiness for the future. This leader will bring a data-informed point of view-using workforce insights and HR metrics to identify trends, surface risks and opportunities, and guide decisions on performance expectations, rewards, and talent investments. The role also shapes how the organization executes major, talent-centered change across highly matrixed business units, ensuring alignment, clarity, and sustained adoption through disciplined planning and change leadership.
Enterprise Behaviors
In supporting the setting and execution of the overall HR strategy, the VP of Human Resources will exhibit and drive the following key enterprise behaviors:
• Customer-Back Mindset: Intense focus on the internal customer
• Open and Direct Communication: Build trust and clarity
• Act with Urgency: Respond promptly and prioritize action
• Think Differently: Empower innovation and release the constraints of old ways of working
• Accelerate Early Wins: Progress over perfection
Role Scope
In this role, the VP of Human Resources serves as the senior people leader for Progress Rail's global, operations-intensive environment-aligning workforce strategy to business performance across manufacturing sites and corporate functions. Partnering with executive leadership, the VP translates enterprise priorities into an integrated people agenda that strengthens leadership capability and succession, builds the skills and capacity needed for operational execution, and sustains a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement. The role also provides disciplined stewardship of employee relations, total rewards, and HR governance-ensuring consistent, compliant practices and scalable systems, informed by people analytics and a strong understanding of risk in complex, regulated, and safety-critical settings.
Candidate Success Profile
Success requires significant, progressive HR leadership experience in multi-site and multi-region manufacturing or industrial organizations, with the executive presence to influence at the highest levels and the practical orientation to support leaders close to where work happens.
Qualifications and Experience
• 10-15 years of progressive HR leadership experience, including at least 5 years at a senior executive level.
• Proven track record of developing and leading strategic HR programs in a complex, fast-paced environment.
• A broad knowledge of employment, benefits, compensation, organizational planning, employee and labor relations, training and development is necessary.
Skills & Competencies
• Executive Communication. Outstanding written and verbal communication skills are required. You should be adept at preparing reports, presenting to C-suite leaders, and simplifying complex ideas for diverse audiences.
• Strategic Thinking. Candidates will understand importance of "big picture" thinking and planning and have the ability to apply organizational acumen and competitiveness to identify and maintain focus on key success factors for the organization.
• Change Leadership. Candidates must be skilled in guiding organizations through transformation, with the ability to gain alignment and build commitment in ambiguous or high-stakes situations.
• Business Acumen. Candidates must demonstrate knowledge of business concepts, tools, and processes that are needed for making sound decisions in the context of the company's business, with the ability to apply this knowledge appropriately to diverse situations.
• Global Perspective. As a trusted advisor to a global business, candidates must have knowledge of issues, opportunities, and challenges for conducting business in the international marketplace with the ability to apply global perspectives appropriately in a wide range of situations.
• Knowledge of Organization. A successful candidate will be expected to learn the organization's vision, structure, culture, philosophy, operating principles, values, and code of ethics to understand the value of aligning capabilities with business goals to support optimal performance.
Benefits
Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance, and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Progress Rail.**
  • Competitive Salary
  • 401(k) plan with up to 6% company match (no waiting period with immediate vesting)
  • Medical/Dental/Vision/Life/Disability Insurance
  • Supplemental Accident, Critical Care, and Hospital Insurance available along with an HDHP and HSA with seed money
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Paid Vacation
  • Paid Holidays
  • Paid Time-Off (PTO)
  • Employee Assistance Plan
  • Education Assistance Program
  • Employee Recognition Programs
  • Site specific Production and Incentive Plans
  • Site specific Step and Skill Level Wage Adjustment Plans
  • Site Specific Relocation and Sign-on Bonus Programs

*Benefits eligibility varies by job position, full-time/part-time and regular/temporary status. The provisions of the plan documents control such benefits.
**Subject to position, eligibility, and plan guidelines.

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About Progress Rail

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Our team works hard to create lifelong customer relationships, supplying comprehensive rolling stock and infrastructure solutions for the global rail industry and setting the standard for excellence. We care about fostering the sustainable movement of goods and people for generations to come, and we know our customers care, too. Our strategic footprint ensures responsive, quality customer support all day, every day. We are one of the largest integrated diversified providers of rolling stock and infrastructure solutions and technologies for the global rail industry. The company provides advanced EMD® locomotives, engines, and technologies, railcars, trackwork, fasteners, signaling, rail welding and Kershaw® Maintenance-of-Way equipment, along with dedicated locomotive and freight car repair services, aftermarket parts support and recycling operations. Progress Rail’s deep industry expertise ensures a commitment to quality through innovative solutions.

Industry

Consumer goods and commercial equipment rental services

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Albertville, AL, US

Year founded

1983