Locomotive Mechanic/Electrician

Senior Locomotive Mechanic / Electrician

Field / Locomotive Shop

Department: Mechanical / Locomotive Maintenance

Job Category: Skilled Trades

Job Type: Non-exempt (hourly)

Salary Range: DOE

Experience: Minimum 5 years required

Reports to: Mechanic Supervisor

Location: Baytown, Texas (travel required)

Company Benefits

TGS offers a competitive compensation and benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) with match, paid holidays and vacation, and a Safety Bonus Program.

Job Purpose

The Senior Locomotive Mechanic / Electrician independently inspects, diagnoses, repairs, and maintains diesel-electric locomotives and related railroad equipment so units remain safe, reliable, and in service. This is not a trainee role. The position requires a working locomotive mechanic/electrician who can handle complex EMD and GE repairs with limited supervision, set the quality standard on a job, and help develop less-experienced mechanics.

Who Should Apply

This posting is for a journeyman-level locomotive mechanic/electrician with at least five years of hands-on experience. Candidates should already be comfortable with diesel-electric power generation, locomotive electrical systems, air brakes, and running repairs. Heavy-equipment, marine, or industrial power-generation experience may count toward the five years if it included comparable high-voltage/high-current electrical work and diesel prime movers, but locomotive experience is strongly preferred.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Other duties may be assigned to support shop and field operations.

- Inspect locomotives against FRA, AAR, industry, and company maintenance standards; determine the scope of work and complete or direct the repairs.

- Independently diagnose complex mechanical, air-brake, and electrical failures on EMD and GE diesel-electric locomotives.

- Troubleshoot control systems, wiring, batteries, charging systems, traction, and related high-current electrical components using meters and test equipment.

- Perform and lead engine, truck, brake, and major-component work, including overhauls and running repairs in the shop or in the field.

- Inspect, test, and repair locomotive safety appliances and safety-critical systems; document defects and corrective action.

- Read and work from work orders, wiring diagrams, schematics, and locomotive drawings; identify when drawings or parts lists do not match the unit.

- Verify completed work by testing, load checks, and operating or assisting in operating the locomotive before release to service.

- Fabricate or modify attachments, shields, brackets, or similar devices from drawings or schematics when required.

- Use cutting torches, welders, forklifts, hand tools, and electrical meters safely and correctly.

- Keep complete, accurate records of inspections, defects, parts, labor, and FRA/company required documentation.

- Mentor entry-level mechanics and electricians; assign tasks on a job, check their work, and model safe practices.

- Coordinate with supervision, train crews, and customers on unit status, estimated time to repair, and parts needs.

- Identify repeat failures, parts shortages, and process gaps and report them to the Mechanical Supervisor.

- Follow all TGS and customer site safety rules; complete required safety training before working on customer property or TGS locations.

- Travel and work away from the home area up to five days per week (overnight) on a regular basis.

- Work shifts, overtime, nights, and weekends when operations require it.

- Maintain regular, reliable attendance. Cover work or notify supervision when absence is unavoidable.

- Perform related duties of coworkers as directed to keep equipment in service.

Requirements

- Minimum of five (5) years of hands-on experience repairing diesel-electric locomotives, or five years of closely related diesel-electric / heavy power-generation electrical and mechanical work with the ability to demonstrate locomotive competency.

- Working knowledge of EMD and/or GE locomotive mechanical, electrical, and air-brake systems.

- Demonstrated ability to diagnose electrical and mechanical faults without step-by-step direction.

- Ability to read and interpret work orders, wiring diagrams, schematics, and locomotive drawings.

- Ability to use shop math (measurements, ratios, percentages) and keep accurate repair records.

- Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record; willingness to drive a personal or company vehicle for work.

- Ability to pass a pre-employment background check and drug screen.

- Ability to complete TGS and customer-required safety training.

- Willingness to travel overnight up to five days per week and to work irregular hours.

- Welding, cutting-torch, and forklift proficiency preferred.

- Prior experience training or leading other mechanics is a plus.

- This role does not include formal supervisory authority unless assigned; it does include technical lead responsibility on assigned work.

Core Skills

Success in this role depends on independent electrical and mechanical troubleshooting, locomotive system knowledge, attention to detail, safe work habits, clear communication with crews and customers, dependability, and the ability to set the pace and quality standard for a small shop or field crew.

Physical Demands

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee regularly walks, uses hands, reaches, climbs, balances, stoops, kneels, crouches, crawls, talks, and hears. Standing and sitting occur frequently. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and frequently lift and/or move up to 100 pounds, with assistance when required. Vision requirements include close, distance, color, peripheral, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Color vision is required for electrical work.

Work Environment

Work is performed in shops and outdoors around moving equipment, weather, vibration, noise, and live electrical systems. The employee is frequently exposed to heights and the risk of electrical shock, and may be exposed to fumes, oils, grease, and airborne particles. Hearing protection and other PPE are required.