cnc machinist

mechanical assembler

field representative

electrical engineer

Harsco Rail

Where to start. Very neat products and many opportunities to learn about a niche industry. Harsco Rail clearly had a legacy of excellence, but it is far removed from that now. Senior management was unapproachable and disconnected from reality. The engineering team, sales reps, and frontline production staff were always friendly and helpful. There were a handful of folks outside of those areas that were pleasant to work with as well. However, the rest were back-stabbing, out of touch, and far removed from the definition of professional. Let’s talk about the supply chain department, specifically a certain commodity buyer. I’ve never seen someone with so much capacity for laziness and excuses. Oh and this guy is definitely the drama queen of the building. Never seen so much unprofessionalism and backbiting out of an individual. Furthermore, the aftermarket team was full of its own drama with a specific individual constantly  bickering and whining that essentially brought the whole team-dynamic in the gutter. From top to bottom this place has folks that need a reality check because many of them wouldn’t cut it working for other companies. Bottom line, if you are thinking about working on the aftermarket team, I would strongly reconsider. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
work was not monotonous, it changed daily 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The point system for attendance, you got a point when it was an excused absence when it was their time clocks being down as a result of a late clock in.. the communication between management is awful

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Fast paced, work scope changes daily, depending on the section your in depends on the stressors, such as cabs is very very pristine work, no room for errors, hi rail is fast paced and welding welding welding, and the rest is pretty busy.  If you like to work this is your company , if you like to be lazy, best be really good at kissing butt 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
I was the hi rail fitter, so the amount of welding everyone had depended on me and how fast i could fit the pieces into the jig and tack off, my position was extremely fast paced and demanding but i like that type of non stop work... Not everyone does .

The work here is very unique. There is opportunity to learn from co-workers. There are many talented welders and fabricators here. There are many genuinely good people here. When management lines up the parts the job is great. Unfortunately the lack of organization, accountability, and individual ownership at the top is sub-par. People taking ownership for themselves being the most important. There is so much potential in this shop.

Pay is not the worst depending on experience, but raises are another story. You will need to chase down your supervisor to get reviews for pay increases. Shifts are frequently reorganized on short notice without consideration of employees arrangements outside of work. Overall, I am glad I worked there because of what I learned from other employees and the relationships I made, but I am glad that I am not working there anymore. 

Needs a serious culture change.

 Harsco Rail is a typical employer....they expect you to work and get their machines out the door. I worked there for seven months as a maintenance electrician and although I cannot comment on the production side, I found the work very satisfying. I was treated fairly, and within one month I was being sought out for problem solving and I felt that I was a valuable member of the operation. I should have stayed, and would return given the chance.
 I've never had a job that fit what I wanted it to be...you have to adapt yourself to your environment. Beware of the disgruntled former employee spreading falsehoods.....industrial work is what YOU make it!

The main thing I learnt was how a formally good company to work for can turn into a nightmare when the corporate level wants to sell you off. Many of the knowledgeable leaders are replaced with lacking managers adding to shopfloor confusion, distrust and incomplete products leaving the building.
A typical day starts with firefighting one issue after another, hopefully there is enough time left to work on your own goals and more importantly your teams’ goals. Needless to say, there is no winning, just juggling.
The hardest part for me was there was no way to build trust in the upper level management as unless you were part of the click your information coming downstream was normally incomplete or misleading.  
Hopefully there will be a reset by a new owner and it will once again by a company worth working for. 


This is the only place I ever worked where management doesn't listen to anything the people who are actually doing the work says. All the people who work hard and do well get blackballed and don't get promotions, while the ones who suck up to management get all the glory. If you didn't drink before u started working here, I promise you by two weeks in you will start. The moral is so poor and the management acts like its against the law to say hello back to you. This place used to be a great place to work but the new management has turned it into one of the most miserable places in South Carolina to work.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Absolutely nothing. Terrible culture managed by the buddy system. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The fact that you end up having to help others with their work because their supervisor buddy allows them to do whatever they want.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Physical environment is OK. The culture if it was terrible would be an improvement. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Stressful. Spend more time doing someone else's work while they are allowed to bs and play on phone all day.

Thoroughly enjoyed my position(s) at Harsco Rail. Shipping Department kept me extremely busy. Days went very fast. Definitely had a sense of accomplishment at day end. Stressful, challenging but very rewarding. Working as a Tactical Buyer became the "dream job" of my entire working career until the announcement of the plant closing on January 31, 2019. Devastating to all workers. Plant closing was/is definitely the hardest part. The most enjoyable part was gaining and feeling that sense of accomplishment everyday.

Love my job.. anywhere you go to work there are goin to be issues. I've had more jobs they most.. I had 16 W2s one year but I'm working on my 3rd year here if that tells you anything.. the benefits suck pretty bad and seem to get worse every year.. my supervisor doesn't act like I do anything. but the  supervisors one the floor do and thank me for my hard work.. I work 2nd shift maintenance and they know who to call when they need something done 👍✅✅

It's very disappointing leaving my former job to work for Harsco Rail/Industrial Painter through a temp service hire. Was told by my 3rd Shift Supervisor that i was doing good along with a hand shake followed; Only to be terminated a week later. I'd never seen this coming. I felt betrayed & left with trust issues. The hardest pill for Men to swallow is pride. Had to tell my family that i was let go @ Harsco Rail; because they experienced how excited i was to get this job. Not even two months in yet i was let go.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Cnc machinist 2 salaries reported	$28.00 per hour
Mechanical assembler 1 salary reported	$21.50 per hour
Field representative 1 salary reported	$53,163 per year
Electrical engineer 1 salary reported	$95,000 per year

Working at Harsco Rail: Company Overview and Reviews

Harsco Rail

Harsco Rail Ratings

Popular jobs at Harsco Rail

Salary Satisfaction

Job Seeker Tools

Employer Tools

Browse

Stay Connected