Machinist Journeyman - 90413370 - Chicago

Location

Chicago, IL

Wage

$30.95 – $41.26/hr

Employment Type

Full-time

Apply for This Position

Posted on September 25, 2026

Job Description

Overview

Amtrak is seeking a Machinist Journeyman in Chicago to be responsible for the inspection, testing, and maintenance of locomotives and rolling stock equipment in accordance with FRA and Amtrak standards. The company emphasizes safety and values diversity among its workforce.

Responsibilities

  • Perform inspection, testing, and maintenance repair of locomotive diesel engines, components, and running gear.
  • Responsible for mechanical repairs to drive systems, wheels/wheel sets, suspension, and other components of the propulsion system.
  • Diagnose, test, and repair air systems and air brake equipment.
  • Conduct preventative maintenance of locomotives and move locomotives.
  • Operate lifting/hoisting equipment and demonstrate knowledge of internal combustion engines.
  • Troubleshoot equipment to determine corrective actions and causes of equipment failures.
  • Calibrate pressure switches and valves in compliance with regulations and established standards.
  • Maintain proper care and use of materials, test equipment, machines, and hand tools.

Requirements

  • High school diploma or GED.
  • Completion of technical school or apprenticeship program preferred.
  • Experience in troubleshooting, repair, replacement, or rebuilding mechanical equipment and systems.
  • Prefer welding and cutting experience.
  • Experience in the maintenance of railroad equipment preferred.
  • Knowledge of mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems.
  • Ability to read mechanical drawings.
  • Knowledge and skill in the use of electrical tools and equipment.
  • Some computer skills.
  • Ability to read, write, and communicate proficiently.

Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • 401k

Additional Information

  • Work locations may have moderate to high noise levels and various environmental conditions.
  • Must be able to lift, carry, push, or pull loads in accordance with safety rules.
  • Travel requirements up to 25%.

Benefits

Health Insurance
Dental
Vision
401k

How this job compares in Chicago, IL

Pay in context

At roughly $36/hr, this posting lands within a few percent of the $38/hr median for welding jobs in Chicago, IL, whose middle half runs $33–$50/hr across 75 postings with published pay. Put another way, it pays more than about 37% of the comparable postings we have wage data for. In other words it is a market-rate offer, so benefits, overtime, and shift schedule are where the real difference between this and the next posting on the list shows up.

The local market in Chicago, IL

We're tracking 98 other active welding openings in Chicago, IL right now, from 55 different employers. 34 of them were added in the last week. Across Illinois as a whole we're tracking 348 other active welding openings from 210 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.

Amtrak currently has 2 other openings live in Illinois, which is usually a sign of either steady growth or steady turnover — worth asking which in the interview.

The most active employers in Illinois at the moment, by number of open welding reqs, are Staff on Site (13), Gerber Collision & Glass (12), and S&C Electric Company (9). 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 $38/hr, Addison at $35/hr, and Skokie at $35/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. Machinist Journeyman - 90413370 - Chicago figures were last recalculated when this page was built.