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Railroad Engineer Jobs in Nebraska (NOW HIRING)

Wilson & Company

Rail Engineer

Omaha, NE

$60K - $90K/yr

Maintain knowledge of applicable railroad, industry, regulatory, safety, and client-specific standards and best practices. Preferred Experience : * Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a related ...

RailPros

Rail Design Engineer

Omaha, NE · On-site

Gain comprehensive experience in railroad engineering , safety standards , and regulatory compliance , enhancing your expertise and industry knowledge. Benefits & Perks: * Comprehensive Health ...

RailPros

Rail Design Engineer

Omaha, NE · On-site

Gain comprehensive experience in railroad engineering , safety standards , and regulatory compliance , enhancing your expertise and industry knowledge. Benefits & Perks: * Comprehensive Health ...

RailPros

Rail Design Engineer

Omaha, NE · On-site

Gain comprehensive experience in railroad engineering , safety standards , and regulatory compliance , enhancing your expertise and industry knowledge. Benefits & Perks: * Comprehensive Health ...

HDR

Civil Engineer - Railroad

Omaha, NE

The primary duties of the Civil Engineer - Railroad are to: * Serve in a technical role under a Project Manager. * Prepare plans, specifications, and cost estimates for railroad track and civil ...

HDR

Civil Engineer - Railroad

Omaha, NE · On-site

The primary duties of the Civil Engineer - Railroad are to: * Serve in a technical role under a Project Manager. * Prepare plans, specifications, and cost estimates for railroad track and civil ...

GFT.

Sr. Rail Bridge Engineer

Omaha, NE

$125K - $150K/yr

Perform bridge inspections for railway bridges. * Participate in non-design engineering activities such as construction inspection and field data collection. * Lead design and project management ...

GFT.

Freight Rail Track Engineer

Omaha, NE · Hybrid

$80K - $115K/yr

Support permitting and compliance with AREMA standards and railroad engineering guidelines. * Mentor junior engineers, conduct quality control (QC) reviews, and help develop best practices for rail ...

Wilson & Company

Rail Project Manager

Omaha, NE

$130K - $175K/yr

Strong understanding of engineering standards, permitting processes, regulatory requirements, contract documents, project controls, and client-specific design criteria, including railroad and ...

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All JobsRailroad Engineer JobsRailroad Engineer Jobs in Nebraska

Railroad Engineer information

See Nebraska salary details

$10.5K

$53.4K

$126.8K

How much do railroad engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for railroad engineer in Nebraska is $53,365.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $32,400.00 and $56,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges a Railroad Engineer may face during their daily operations?

Railroad Engineers often encounter challenges such as unexpected delays due to track obstructions, adverse weather conditions, and mechanical issues with locomotives. They must remain vigilant and adaptable, ensuring safety protocols are strictly followed while communicating effectively with dispatchers, conductors, and maintenance crews. Additionally, managing fatigue during long shifts and adhering to strict schedules under time pressure can be demanding, making time management and situational awareness essential for success in this role.

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

To thrive as a Railroad Engineer, you need a solid understanding of train operations, safety regulations, and mechanical systems, typically supported by a high school diploma or equivalent and completion of a railroad training program. Familiarity with locomotive control systems, signaling technology, and compliance with Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) guidelines is crucial. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and effective communication are essential soft skills for managing emergencies and coordinating with dispatchers and crew. These skills ensure the safe and efficient movement of trains, protect public safety, and minimize operational delays.

What is the highest paid railroad job?

The highest paid railroad jobs are typically senior management positions such as railroad executives or chief operating officers, who oversee operations and strategic planning. These roles often require extensive experience, leadership skills, and industry knowledge, and they can earn six-figure salaries or higher. Other well-compensated roles include trainmasters and safety directors, depending on the company and location.

What does a railroad engineer do?

A railroad engineer operates trains, ensuring safe and efficient transportation of passengers or freight. They monitor controls, observe signals, and communicate with dispatchers, often working long hours and requiring certification and knowledge of safety procedures.

Are railroad engineers in demand?

Railroad engineers are in steady demand due to the ongoing need for freight and passenger transportation. Employment opportunities often depend on industry growth, infrastructure investments, and the ability to operate complex machinery safely, with certifications and experience enhancing job prospects.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Railroad engineers typically do not earn $500,000 annually; their salaries usually range from $60,000 to $120,000. High earnings in the transportation industry are more common for executive roles or specialized engineers with extensive experience and certifications. Achieving such a high salary generally requires senior management or executive positions beyond the standard engineer role.

What Does a Railroad Engineer Do?

A railroad engineer drives trains along routes to deliver passengers or cargo to different destinations. As a locomotive engineer, your job duties include controlling the speed of the train to account for weather and track conditions, monitoring controls and equipment, maintaining train inspection logs, communicating with other railroad employees in person and over the radio, managing time to keep trains on schedule, and responding appropriately to emergency situations. You must be able to think logically and make quick decisions. You also need strong time management and communication skills to work as a railroad engineer.

What is the difference between Railroad Engineer vs Locomotive Operator?

AspectRailroad EngineerLocomotive Operator
CredentialsCommercial driver's license, safety certifications, technical trainingSimilar certifications, often overlapping with railroad engineer requirements
Work EnvironmentRailroads, train yards, on tracks, in control roomsOn locomotives, train yards, and sometimes in control centers
Employer & IndustryRailroad companies, freight and passenger rail servicesRailroad companies, freight and passenger services

Railroad engineers and locomotive operators often share similar certifications and work environments, both operating trains within the railroad industry. However, railroad engineers typically have more responsibilities related to train operation and safety protocols, whereas locomotive operators may focus more on the physical operation of the train. Both roles are essential for safe and efficient rail transportation.

More about Railroad Engineer jobs
What are popular job titles related to Railroad Engineer jobs in Nebraska? For Railroad Engineer jobs in Nebraska, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Railroad Engineer jobs in Nebraska look for? The top searched job categories for Railroad Engineer jobs in Nebraska are:
What are popular job titles related to Railroad Engineer jobs in NE? For Railroad Engineer jobs in NE, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Railroad Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Railroad Engineer job openings in Nebraska as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $53,365 per year, or $25.7 per hour.

Freight Rail Engineering Project Manager - Railroad

Succession Planning for Railroads Investing in the Next Generation LLC

Omaha, NE

$100K - $280K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 25 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.
$100,000.00-280,000.00 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.