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Job Description

Overview

The Heavy Equipment Mechanic (Railroad Equipment) position at Metra involves disassembling, repairing, and troubleshooting railroad maintenance equipment under the supervision of the Manager, Work Equipment & Training. This union role requires a strong mechanical background and offers a starting pay rate 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 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 is a Union position.
  • Metra is subject to the provisions of the Railroad Retirement Tax Act.
  • Metra prohibits the use or possession of marijuana for preemployment screening purposes.
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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 $30–$50/hr across 79 postings with published pay. Put another way, it pays more than about 61% 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 108 other active welding openings in Chicago, IL right now, from 62 different employers. 50 of them were added in the last week. Across Illinois as a whole we're tracking 368 other active welding openings from 212 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 Gerber Collision & Glass (18), Staff on Site (13), and Sargent & Lundy (11). 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 Downers Grove at $44/hr, Chicago at $38/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.