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Rail Track Inspector Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Office Engineer - Rail

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$84K - $110K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... track, grading, drainage, site civil elements, and structural interfaces * Prepare and review ... Coordinate with project managers, designers, construction managers, and inspectors throughout ...

Senior Construction Inspector

Herndon, VA · On-site

$60 - $68/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... a rail Major Crossing from Alexandria, VA to Washington, D.C. Your Impact Duties and ... Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP's health, safety and ...

Senior Construction Inspector

Herndon, VA · On-site

$60 - $68/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... a rail Major Crossing from Alexandria, VA to Washington, D.C. Your Impact Duties and ... Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP's health, safety and ...

Equipment Operators

Springfield, VA · On-site

$35 - $43/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

Performs safety inspections of equipment. * May work as a member of a crew or independently. * May work under the direction of a Railroad Track Superintendent or Railroad Track Foreman. * Regular and ...

Equipment Operators

Springfield, VA · On-site

$35 - $43/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

Performs safety inspections of equipment. * May work as a member of a crew or independently. * May work under the direction of a Railroad Track Superintendent or Railroad Track Foreman. * Regular and ...

Inspector II (Night Shift)

Columbia, MD · On-site

$89K - $112K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Perform inspections on and adjacent to Class I railroad right-of-way in compliance with RWP rules ... Oversee/Track the technical submittal, shop drawing review and RFI process, with support of design ...

Construction Inspector (VDOT)

Washington, DC · On-site

$90K - $130K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

... highway roadway, bridge, railroad, tunnel, airport, seaport and marine, commercial and ... Take precise field measurements of pay items, track pay quantities, and assist with or prepare ...

Construction Inspector (VDOT)

Washington, DC

$90K - $130K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

... highway roadway, bridge, railroad, tunnel, airport, seaport and marine, commercial and ... Take precise field measurements of pay items, track pay quantities, and assist with or prepare ...

... rail, and environmental projects. * Collaborate with other Inspectors, Construction Managers ... Track and maintain project materials documentation. * Perform routine material testing on concrete ...

Showing results 21-40

Rail Track Inspector information

See Washington salary details

$27.7K

$62.2K

$112.1K

How much do rail track inspector jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for rail track inspector in Washington is $62,224.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43,600.00 and $71,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a rail track inspector?

Rail Track Inspectors are professionals responsible for examining and maintaining railroad tracks to ensure they are safe and in good working condition. Their duties include inspecting tracks, switches, and related structures for defects or wear, documenting findings, and recommending or performing necessary repairs. They play a vital role in preventing accidents and ensuring the smooth, safe operation of trains. Rail Track Inspectors often work outdoors and may need to respond to emergencies or perform inspections at night or in adverse weather conditions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a rail track inspector, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Rail Track Inspector, you need a solid understanding of railroad safety, track structure, and maintenance standards, often supported by a high school diploma or equivalent and on-the-job training. Familiarity with specialized inspection tools, measurement devices, and reporting systems such as FRA (Federal Railroad Administration) compliance software is essential. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and strong communication skills help inspectors identify issues, document findings, and coordinate repairs. These skills and qualities are vital to ensuring rail safety, preventing accidents, and maintaining efficient rail operations.

What are the typical challenges rail track inspectors face in the field, and how are they addressed?

Rail Track Inspectors often encounter challenges such as working in adverse weather conditions, navigating uneven terrain, and responding to urgent track issues that can disrupt rail service. These professionals must maintain high attention to detail while adhering to strict safety protocols to ensure the integrity of the rail infrastructure. Most employers support inspectors with specialized training, safety equipment, and technologies like track geometry cars or ultrasonic testing devices, which help identify issues efficiently. Collaboration with maintenance crews and clear communication with operations teams are also crucial in addressing and resolving track defects promptly.

What is the difference between Rail Track Inspector vs Signal Maintainer?

AspectRail Track InspectorSignal Maintainer
CredentialsHigh school diploma, safety certifications, technical trainingHigh school diploma, technical training, safety certifications
Work EnvironmentRail yards, tracks, outdoor settingsSignal systems, control rooms, outdoor and indoor locations
Industry UsageRailroad companies, transit agenciesRailroad companies, transit agencies
Job FocusInspecting and maintaining track integrityMaintaining and repairing signal systems

Rail Track Inspectors and Signal Maintainers both work within the railroad industry, often for the same employers. While Rail Track Inspectors focus on inspecting and ensuring the safety of tracks, Signal Maintainers specialize in maintaining and repairing signaling systems. Both roles require technical certifications and safety training, but their daily tasks and work environments differ slightly, with Inspectors primarily on the tracks and Maintainers working on signaling equipment.

What are popular job titles related to Rail Track Inspector jobs in Washington?

For Rail Track Inspector jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Rail Track Inspector jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Rail Track Inspector jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Rail Track Inspector jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Rail Track Inspector job openings:

Infographic showing various Rail Track Inspector job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $62,224 per year, or $29.9 per hour.

Office Engineer - Rail

Michael Baker International

Alexandria, VA • On-site

$84K - $110K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago


Michael Baker International rating

8.9

Company rating: 8.9 out of 10

Based on 18 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

54th of 449 rated engineering


Job description

Rail and Transit Practice

Whether moving people or freight, future rail and transit solutions will be shaped by energy costs, urban growth, and environmental priorities. Michael Baker helps freight railroads, transit authorities, and state DOTs address these challenges through services focused on state of good repair, capacity, safety, asset management, and sustainable infrastructure solutions. By partnering closely with our clients, we deliver innovative, practical, and costeffective solutions that support the successful delivery of complex rail and transit projects.

What We're Looking For:

Michael Baker is adding an Office Engineer to our Rail & Transit team in Alexandria, VA!  In this role, you will support the planning, design, and delivery of rail infrastructure projects by applying your professional engineering judgment to develop technically sound solutions and support construction activities, and you will work collaboratively with multidisciplinary Rail design teams, construction staff, public agencies, and railroad stakeholders to help deliver safe, efficient, and highquality rail projects across all phases of project delivery.

What You'll Do:

  • Perform civil engineering design and technical analysis for rail infrastructure projects, including track, grading, drainage, site civil elements, and structural interfaces
  • Prepare and review engineering plans, specifications, technical reports, and cost estimates
  • Coordinate with project managers, designers, construction managers, and inspectors throughout design and construction phases
  • Support permitting and regulatory compliance efforts in accordance with federal, state, and local requirements
  • Apply railroad and transit standards, including AREMA, FRA, and clientspecific guidelines, during project execution
  • Participate in design reviews, constructability reviews, and value engineering efforts
  • Respond to RFIs and provide engineering support during construction
  • Coordinate with railroad operators, transit agencies, utilities, and thirdparty stakeholders
  • Help ensure that designs and construction support activities meet safety, quality, schedule, and budget objectives
  • Maintain organized and accurate project documentation throughout the project lifecycle

What You Need to Succeed:

  • A Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience.
  • A minimum of 6 years professional civil engineering experience supporting rail infrastructure initiatives and projects (preferably for freight rail, commuter rail, light rail, or transit systems)
  • Experience preparing engineering plans, specifications, and technical documentation
  • A strong understanding of civil design principles and construction methods
  • Excellent communication, coordination, problemsolving and client-facing skills
  • Ability to manage multiple tasks and work collaboratively in a team environment

Compensation:

The approximate compensation range for this position is $84,000-$110,000 per year. This compensation range is a good-faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Actual compensation is dependent upon factors such as education, qualifications, experience, skillset, and physical work location.

Why Choose Us:

  • Medical, dental, vision insurance
  • 401k Retirement Plan
  • Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
  • Life, AD&D, short-term, and long-term disability
  • Professional and personal development
  • Generous paid time off
  • Commuter and wellness benefits
Michael Baker International, a leading provider of engineering and consulting services, including design, planning, architectural, environmental, construction and program management, has been solving some of the world's most complex infrastructure challenges for more than 85 years with a legacy of expertise, experience, innovation and integrity.
Based in Pittsburgh and with over 100 offices nationwide, we partner with clients on everything from roads, bridges, tunnels, mass transit, and airports, to water treatment plants, arctic oil pipelines, environmental restoration and specialized overseas construction. We serve as a trusted adviser to the communities we serve, making them safer, more accessible, more sustainable and more prosperous.
We provide visionary leadership in facilitating transformational change for our clients. Our work delivers differentiating innovations and dedicated experts who challenge the status quo and share a world of diverse experience and an impassioned entrepreneurial spirit. We deliver quality of life.
We Make a Difference.

Michael Baker International is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Michael Baker International provides equal employment opportunity for all persons, in all facets of employment. Michael Baker International maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply for any open position for which they feel they are qualified and all will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, familial status, pregnancy or childbirth, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status, status with regard to public assistance, or membership or activity in a local human rights commission, or any other legally protected status.
EEO is the Law. Applicants to and employees of Michael Baker International are protected under Federal law from discrimination.

*It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
*There is no current application deadline. Michael Baker will continue to accept applications on an ongoing basis until the position is filled or no longer needed.


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