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Job Description

Overview

The Heavy Equipment Mechanic (Railroad Equipment) position at Metra involves disassembly, repair, modification, overhaul, remanufacture, and troubleshooting of railroad roadway maintenance equipment machinery. This is a union position with a starting pay rate that may vary based on the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Responsibilities

  • Disassemble, repair, modify, overhaul, and remanufacture railroad roadway maintenance equipment machinery.
  • Troubleshoot various operating and control systems of the machinery.
  • Perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Requirements

  • Three years of experience and/or vocational training on diesel equipment and mechanical repair of construction equipment.
  • Experience with troubleshooting and repair of pneumatic, hydraulic, and electrical systems.
  • Ability to read schematics.
  • Ability to keep accurate records.
  • Good communication skills and a strong aptitude.
  • CDL – B License or the ability to obtain within 60 days.
  • Ability to lift 50 to 80 pounds on a frequent basis.
  • Ability to understand and carry out instructions.
  • Ability to work in shop and field environments.

Additional Information

  • This position is subject to the provisions of the Railroad Retirement Tax Act.
  • Metra prohibits the use or possession of marijuana for preemployment screening purposes and while on duty.
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How this job compares in Chicago, IL

Pay in context

At roughly $39/hr, this posting sits about 10% above the $36/hr median for welding jobs in Chicago, IL — toward the top of a $28–$47/hr middle band drawn from 79 postings with published pay. Put another way, it pays more than about 63% of the comparable postings we have wage data for. Pay that far above local median usually comes attached to something: a harder cert requirement, travel, night shift, or overtime that isn't really optional. Worth establishing which before you accept.

The local market in Chicago, IL

We're tracking 96 other active welding openings in Chicago, IL right now, from 52 different employers. 30 of them were added in the last week. Across Illinois as a whole we're tracking 374 other active welding openings from 233 employers. A metro this active generally means you have real leverage — employers here are competing for the same welders. Browse every welding job in Chicago, or widen the search to Illinois.

The most active employers in Illinois at the moment, by number of open welding reqs, are S&C Electric Company (15), Gerber Collision & Glass (14), and Staff on Site (13). Volume like that usually means either a genuine expansion or a staffing agency working several client sites — worth knowing which before you apply.

Within Illinois, the best-paying metros we track by median hourly rate are Chicago at $36/hr, Itasca at $36/hr, and Elk Grove Village at $34/hr. Chicago is among them.

Similar openings near Chicago, IL

Pay figures are medians computed from live postings in the Welding Pros index, not from survey data, and they move as employers post. Heavy Equipment Mechanic (Railroad Equipment) figures were last recalculated when this page was built.