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Railroad Inspector Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

Additional qualifications desired include experience in conducting fleet inspections, knowledge of general maintenance shop practices and processes, and equipment installation in a rail or industrial ...

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 and regulations. * Monitor and inspect horizontal and vertical construction activities. * Ability to ...

Rail Yard Groundskeeper

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$27/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Inspect the property for safety hazards and report maintenance concerns. * Assist with fencing ... Follow all company safety policies, OSHA regulations, and railroad safety procedures. * Travel to ...

Rail Yard Groundskeeper

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$27/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Inspect the property for safety hazards and report maintenance concerns. * Assist with fencing ... Follow all company safety policies, OSHA regulations, and railroad safety procedures. * Travel to ...

Rail Yard Groundskeeper

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$27/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Inspect the property for safety hazards and report maintenance concerns. * Assist with fencing ... Follow all company safety policies, OSHA regulations, and railroad safety procedures. * Travel to ...

Rail Yard Groundskeeper

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$27/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Inspect the property for safety hazards and report maintenance concerns. * Assist with fencing ... Follow all company safety policies, OSHA regulations, and railroad safety procedures. * Travel to ...

Rail Yard Groundskeeper

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$27/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Inspect the property for safety hazards and report maintenance concerns. * Assist with fencing ... Follow all company safety policies, OSHA regulations, and railroad safety procedures. * Travel to ...

Office Engineer - Rail

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$84K - $110K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... inspectors throughout design and construction phases * Support permitting and regulatory compliance efforts in accordance with federal, state, and local requirements * Apply railroad and transit ...

New

Office Engineer - Rail

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$84K - $110K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... inspectors throughout design and construction phases * Support permitting and regulatory compliance efforts in accordance with federal, state, and local requirements * Apply railroad and transit ...

Showing results 41-60

Railroad Inspector information

See Washington, DC salary details

$27.7K

$62.2K

$112.1K

How much do railroad inspector jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for railroad inspector in Washington, DC 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 does a railroad inspector do?

A Railroad Inspector is responsible for examining railroad equipment, tracks, and operations to ensure compliance with federal and state safety regulations. They inspect locomotives, railcars, signals, and infrastructure, looking for defects or safety hazards. Railroad Inspectors also investigate accidents, enforce safety standards, and may issue citations or recommend corrective actions. Their work helps ensure the safety and reliability of rail transportation for both freight and passengers.

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

To thrive as a Railroad Inspector, you need a comprehensive understanding of railroad operations, safety regulations, and inspection procedures, often supported by technical training or relevant certifications. Familiarity with inspection tools, track geometry measurement systems, and reporting software is typically required. Attention to detail, strong analytical skills, and effective communication are essential soft skills for this role. These abilities ensure the safety, reliability, and compliance of rail systems, which are critical for public safety and efficient transportation.

What are common challenges faced by railroad inspectors during field inspections?

Railroad Inspectors often encounter challenges such as working in varying weather conditions, navigating remote or hazardous locations, and adhering to strict safety protocols. Inspections can require close attention to detail to identify wear, defects, or regulatory non-compliance in rail infrastructure and equipment. Additionally, balancing thoroughness with efficiency and collaborating with train crews or maintenance staff to address issues promptly are important aspects of the role. These challenges are essential for ensuring the overall safety and reliability of rail operations.

How to become a railroad inspector?

To become a railroad inspector, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and relevant experience in railroad operations or maintenance. Many positions require passing written exams and physical assessments, and some employers prefer candidates with certifications such as the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) safety certifications or related technical training. On-the-job training is common, and inspectors often work in environments that require attention to safety regulations and technical standards.

What are popular job titles related to Railroad Inspector jobs in Washington, DC?

For Railroad Inspector jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Railroad Inspector jobs in Washington, DC look for?

The top searched job categories for Railroad Inspector jobs in Washington, DC are:

Infographic showing various Railroad Inspector job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 5% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $62,224 per year, or $29.9 per hour.

Project Manager - Rail Vehicle

Hatch

Washington, DC • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago


Job description

Requisition ID: 96987 

Job Category: Infrastructure; Consulting; Engineering; Project Engineering; Project Management 

Location: Washington, DC, United States 
 

Join a company that is passionately committed to the pursuit of a better world through positive change. With more than 65 years of business and technical expertise in mining, energy, and infrastructure, our 10,000 colleagues in 150 countries tirelessly work toward bettering the industries in which we operate. With practical solutions that are safe, innovative and sustainable, we think globally while acting locally. Are you looking for an opportunity to join a diverse group of professionals who are committed to remaining exceptional? We look forward to hearing from you.

Our expertise in infrastructure includes aviation, highways and bridges, planning and advisory services, ports, rail and transit, tunnels, and water. Want to be part of the creation and construction of our cities? Then the infrastructure team is for you!

Looking to take the next step in your career?

 

HATCH is currently seeking a highly motivated Project Manager - Rail Vehicles to join our North American Infrastructure Practice in our vehicle mechanical engineering group in our Greenbelt, DC office.

The ideal candidate must possess broad-based knowledge of rail vehicle mechanical or electrical engineering. And have experience with project management on rail vehicle projects.  Additional qualifications desired include experience in conducting fleet inspections, knowledge of general maintenance shop practices and processes, and equipment installation in a rail or industrial environment.

The candidate must demonstrate a high work ethic; be willing to work independently or under limited instruction; be able to interact well with customer staff in a field environment; and demonstrate strong communication and organizational skills including team management, project management, multitasking, and meeting deadlines. PE registration is desirable but not required. Both domestic and foreign travel may be required.

As the successful candidate, you will:

  • Provide project management and engineering support.
  • Manage project task orders and monitor budgets, project deliverables, and project resources to ensure successful delivery of projects.
  • Provide direction and monitor the work of junior staff.
  • Serve as a technical mentor and help develop staff skills.
  • Act as a trusted advisor to our clients, helping to deliver technically complex and cost-effective design solutions.
  • Hands-on engineering work within the light rail, subway, and commuter rail environment including investigations of equipment malfunctions, modifications and reporting findings.
  • Develop technical specifications for the new and upgraded train equipment and systems.
  • Review design submittals and prepare detailed descriptions of review findings.
  • Participate in formal design review meetings and technical working sessions.
  • Inspect and review prototype and first article equipment and prepare detailed descriptions of review findings.
  • Prepare reports that identify work progress, defects/non-conformances, and areas of concern.
  • Participate in quality assurance and manufacturing audits.
  • Engineering changes, client relations and safety of various projects to ensure quality, client satisfaction, and profitability of projects.
  • Assist in pursuits, client relationship building efforts, and building technical excellence within the group.

You bring to the role:

  • Bachelors degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering is desirable.
  • At least 10 years of relevant experience in rail vehicle engineering, including commuter rail, freight rail or transit projects with a proven track record in railway engineering and project management.
  • Respect in the rail industry, with knowledge of the local market, and respected connections in the Transit Authority market.
  • Experience in managing the engineering aspect of projects.
  • Experience in rail operations, train planning, rail equipment maintenance facility design and track maintenance will be beneficial.
  • Experience managing multi-disciplinary teams in a rail or transit project environment.

Why join us?

  • Work with great people to make a difference
  • Collaborate on exciting projects to develop innovative solutions
  • Top employer


What we offer you?

  • Flexible work environment
  • Long term career development
  • Think globally, work locally

Don't meet every single requirement? You don't need to. At Hatch, we are building a diverse, inclusive workplace that fosters innovation. If you're interested in this role, we encourage you to apply even if your past experiences don't perfectly align with the skills we've listed.

We're committed to fostering a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities in which we operate and serve. Hatch is an Equal Opportunity Employer that considers applicants without regard to age, race, color, national origin, citizenship, religion, creed, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, veteran, or any other protected status. If you have any accommodation requirements, please let us know. We'll do our best to meet your needs in accordance with applicable local legislation.

#LI-RC1 #HATCHUS 

Base Compensation: $150,000 - $230,000 (Actual compensation is subject to variation due to such factors as education, experience, skillset, and/or location)