Test Kitchen Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

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Our values of ‘Do the Right Thing, Excel Together and Put Customers First’ are at the heart of what matters most to us, and our Core Capabilities, ‘Building Trust, Accountability, Effective Communication, Customer Focus, and Proactive Safety & Security’ are what every employee needs to know and do to be most impactful at Amtrak. By living the Amtrak values, focusing on our capabilities, and actively embracing and fostering diverse ideas, backgrounds, and perspectives, together we will honor our past and make Amtrak a company of the future.

This position can be located in either Washington D.C., Philadelphia PA, Wilmington DE, or Baltimore MD.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Lead Culinary Service Execution - Quality Assurance is a critical, field-based role and the department’s front-line culinary and service expert, responsible for the consistent, flawless delivery of onboard culinary and service standards within their assigned territory. This hands-on position audits food and beverage service delivery across Amtrak’s Cafes and Acela First Class to ensure compliance with established recipes, heating and plating guides, service delivery standards, and onboard policies. The role also supports test kitchen and other culinary development work — partnering with the menu development team to validate that proposed menus and recipes are feasible for consistent, high-quality execution in the onboard kitchen environment, and supporting the creation of culinary resources such as job aids and allergen guides. Combining deep culinary and service expertise with a focus on coaching and corrective action, this individual works directly with Lead Service Attendants to reinforce standards, address deviations in real time, and gather frontline feedback for continuous improvement. They are also instrumental in documenting and communicating non-compliant practices, malfunctioning equipment, or unclear instructions back to the department, driving continuous improvement in onboard resources and policies.

ESSENTIAL FUNCITONS:

• Quality Program Development: Build and continuously refine a quality program for onboard culinary and service delivery — across all classes of service within assigned territory — establishing the audit standards, scoring methodology, and corrective action processes used to execute the remaining functions below.
• Audits: Conduct thorough and regular audits of onboard culinary and service delivery, focusing on compliance with established recipes, heating/cooking guides, plating guides, and service delivery standards across Cafes and Acela First Class.
• Onboard Culinary SME & Menu Executability: Serve as the primary Subject Matter Expert on onboard culinary capabilities, equipment, preparation methods, and operational constraints. Partner with the menu development team to assess and validate menu concepts for consistent, high-quality execution in the train environment.
• Test Kitchen & Product Evaluation: Own end-to-end management of the test kitchen, including organization, cleanliness, and sample inventory. Lead structured product testing and tastings, validating menu items under simulated onboard conditions to assess performance, feasibility, and scalability.
• On-the-Job Coaching & Training: Provide direct, real-time coaching to Lead Service Attendants, observing meal preparation and service in real-world conditions, addressing non-compliance, and reinforcing best practices. Design and lead structured training on culinary standards, menu requirements, and operational policy as needed.
• Field Docuentation & Reporting: Systematically document all instances of non-compliance — including deviations from recipes or procedures, improper use of equipment, and service delivery gaps. Support development of culinary resources such as job aids, preparation guides, and allergen documentation, incorporating field and test kitchen insights. Report findings back to the department for further action.
• Equipment & Resource Feedback: Document and report back to the department any recipes, instructions, or equipment that are not calibrated correctly or are causing operational challenges, serving as a vital link between the field and policy development.
• Expert-Level Problem-Solving: Utilize deep culinary, service, and operational knowledge to quickly identify the root cause of execution issues and propose practical, on-the-spot solutions that adhere to established standards.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent combination of education, training and/or relevant experience. Plus 6 years of relevant work experience. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent combination of education, training and/or relevant experience in Hospitality, Food Service Management, or a related field. Plus 8 years of relevant work experience.
• Industry Experience: Prior experience in rail, airline, or other mobile/onboard operations environments, including direct experience with menu development or culinary program management in a transportation or large-scale catering setting.
• Certifications: ServSafe, HACCP, a formal quality auditing certification (e.g., CQA), or a culinary certification (e.g., Certified Executive Chef – CEC).
• Union Environment Experience: Experience coaching and influencing frontline performance within a unionized workforce.
• Multi-Site Audit Experience: Experience conducting audits across multiple locations or routes rather than a single fixed site.
• Systems & Tools: Experience with digital culinary management systems or recipe platforms.
• Process Improvement: Familiarity with Lean or Six Sigma principles in a culinary or operational context.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES:

• Auditing & Compliance: Exceptional attention to detail and a proven ability to conduct thorough, consistent audits across culinary and service standards against detailed procedures.
• Culinary & Kitchen Operations: Expert-level knowledge of culinary techniques, food preparation processes, kitchen equipment, and the unique operational constraints of onboard or mobile kitchens.
• Menu Executability Assessment: Strong ability to critically evaluate menu designs for practical execution, resource requirements, and potential operational challenges.
• Coaching & Communication: Superior verbal and written communication skills, with a proven ability to provide constructive feedback, coach and influence frontline teams, build rapport and trust, and clearly convey culinary concepts to audiences ranging from frontline staff to senior management.
• Service Delivery Standards: Strong knowledge of hospitality and onboard service delivery standards, with the ability to evaluate consistency and quality of guest-facing service execution.
• Technical Documentation Support: Foundational understanding of how to contribute to and support the development of clear, concise culinary guides, job aids, and allergen information.
• Problem-Solving & Adaptability: Strong analytical skills to identify operational bottlenecks and develop creative, practical solutions within a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Food Safety & Compliance: In-depth knowledge of food safety regulations, HACCP principles, and allergen management.

The salary/hourly range is $84,900.00 – $110,052.00. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, etc. Depending on an employee’s assigned worksite or location, Amtrak may consider a geo-pay differential to be applied to the employee’s base salary. Amtrak may offer additional incentive and pay programs to recognize and reward our employees, including a short-term incentive bonus based upon factors such as individual and company performance that is commensurate with the level of the position. 

Health and WellbeingFinancial and RetirementWork and Family Life SupportHealth, Dental, and Vision Insurance401K with Employer MatchGenerous Paid Time Off Wellness ProgramsRailroad Retirement BenefitsPaid Caregiving Days and Backup CareHealth Savings AccountPublic Service Student Loan ForgivenessFertility and Family Building BenefitsNo-cost Personal Health AdvocateStudent Loan AssistanceAdoption and Surrogacy AssistanceMedical Plan Opt-out CreditTuition and Education ReimbursementPaid Family Leave Life InsuranceRail Pass Privileges Short- and Long-term Disability InsuranceEmployee Assistance Program No-cost Financial Advisor SessionsCommuter and Flexible Spending Accounts

Learn more about our benefits offerings here.

Requisition ID:167055

Work Arrangement:06-Onsite 4/5 Days Click here for more information about work arrangements at Amtrak.
Relocation Offered:No
Travel Requirements:Up to 75%

You power our progress through your performance.

We want your work at Amtrak to be more than a job. We want your career at Amtrak to be a fulfilling experience where you find challenging work, rewarding opportunities, respect among colleagues, and attractive compensation. Amtrak maintains a culture that values high performance and recognizes individual employee contributions.

Amtrak is committed to a safe workplace free of drugs and alcohol. All Amtrak positions requires a pre-employment background check that includes prior employment verification, a criminal history check and a pre-employment drug screen.

Candidates who test positive for marijuana will be disqualified, regardless of any state or local statute, ordinance, regulation, or other law that legalizes or decriminalizes the use or possession of marijuana, whether for medical, recreational, or other use. Amtrak's pre-employment drug testing program is administered in accordance with DOT regulations and applicable law.

In accordance with DOT regulations (49 CFR § 40.25), Amtrak is required to obtain prior drug and alcohol testing records for applicants/employees intending to perform safety-sensitive duties for covered Department of Transportation positions. If an applicant/employee refuses to provide written consent for Amtrak to obtain these records, the individual will not be permitted to perform safety-sensitive functions.

In accordance with federal law governing security checks of covered individuals for providers of public transportation (Title 6 U.S.C. §1143), Amtrak is required to screen applicants for any permanent or interim disqualifying criminal offenses.

Note that any education requirement listed above may be deemed satisfied if you have an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Amtrak is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race/color, to include traits historically associated with race, including but not limited to, hair texture and hairstyles such as braids, locks and twists, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions, such as lactation), national origin/ethnicity, disability (intellectual, mental and physical), veteran status, marital status, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, genetic information, citizenship or any other personal characteristics protected by law.