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Job Description

Overview

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

Responsibilities

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

Requirements

  • Three years’ experience and/or combined 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

  • Metra is a railroad employer subject to the provisions of the Railroad Retirement Tax Act.
  • Metra prohibits applicants and employees’ use or possession of marijuana.
  • Metra is committed to ensuring that our career website and recruiting process are accessible to all individuals.
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How this job compares in Chicago, IL

Pay in context

At roughly $39/hr, this posting lands within a few percent of the $38/hr median for welding jobs in Chicago, IL, whose middle half runs $34–$50/hr across 76 postings with published pay. Put another way, it pays more than about 57% 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 99 other active welding openings in Chicago, IL right now, from 55 different employers. 45 of them were added in the last week. Across Illinois as a whole we're tracking 354 other active welding openings from 214 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.

Metra Commuter Rail currently has 1 other opening 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, Itasca at $36/hr, and Addison 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. Heavy Equipment Mechanic (Railroad Equipment) figures were last recalculated when this page was built.