Diesel Mechanic – Locomotive Repair | $28–$38/Hour
Metro East Industries, Inc. – Burlington, IA Region
$28–$38/hour based on experience and skill level
Monday–Friday | Full-Time | Overtime Available
Diesel Mechanic? Your Skills Can Transfer to Locomotives.
If you can troubleshoot and repair diesel engines, farm equipment, semi-trucks, construction equipment, or industrial machinery, you may already have many of the skills needed to become a locomotive mechanic.
You do NOT need previous locomotive experience to apply.
Metro East Industries, Inc. (MEI) is looking for experienced mechanics in the Burlington, Iowa region who are interested in taking their skills into the railroad industry.
Whether your background is working on John Deere, Case IH, Caterpillar, Cummins, Detroit Diesel, Peterbilt, Kenworth, Freightliner, Komatsu, Volvo, or similar heavy equipment, we want to talk to you.
What We Offer
- $28–$38/hour + overtime, based on experience and demonstrated skill level
- Overtime opportunities
- Monday–Friday schedule
- 8-hour shifts
- 401(k) with company match
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- Paid vacation
- Paid holidays
- Full-time, year-round work
- Specialized locomotive repair experience
- Opportunities for advancement
What You'll Be Working On
Instead of trucks, tractors, or construction equipment, you'll be troubleshooting, maintaining, and repairing diesel-electric locomotives.
Locomotives are specialized machines, but many of the mechanical skills you've already developed transfer directly to the work.
You'll perform work such as:
- Diagnose and troubleshoot diesel engine and mechanical problems
- Repair, rebuild, remove, and install mechanical components
- Work on fuel pumps, water pumps, governors, control valves, injectors, valves, cylinder heads, turbos, bearings, and related systems
- Time injectors and valves and perform engine adjustments
- Inspect components and determine necessary repairs
- Use precision measuring instruments and gauges
- Read technical manuals, schematics, specifications, and drawings
- Use hand tools, pneumatic tools, power tools, grinders, and cutting equipment
- Remove and install heavy components using hoists and cranes
- Operate forklifts, overhead cranes, and other material-handling equipment
- Perform preventative maintenance and mechanical inspections
- Complete repairs according to company procedures, OEM requirements, and applicable FRA regulations
If you've spent your career diagnosing diesel equipment and figuring out why something isn't working, that's the kind of experience we're looking for.
Your Experience May Be a Great Fit
We encourage you to apply if you have experience as a:
- Diesel Mechanic
- Heavy Equipment Mechanic
- Agricultural / Farm Equipment Mechanic
- Truck / Semi-Truck Mechanic
- Fleet Mechanic
- Construction Equipment Mechanic
- Industrial Maintenance Mechanic
- Equipment Technician
- Diesel Technician
- Locomotive Mechanic
Experience working with equipment or engines from manufacturers such as John Deere, Case IH, Caterpillar, Cummins, Detroit Diesel, Peterbilt, Kenworth, Freightliner, Komatsu, Volvo, or similar manufacturers can provide an excellent mechanical foundation for locomotive repair.
No Locomotive Experience? That's Okay.
We aren't limiting this opportunity to people who have already worked for a railroad.
We understand that an experienced diesel or heavy-equipment mechanic may not know locomotive-specific procedures, components, terminology, or FRA requirements on day one.
Those things can be learned.
We're interested in candidates who already understand the fundamentals:
- Mechanical troubleshooting
- Diesel engines and related systems
- Using hand, power, and pneumatic tools
- Reading gauges and measuring equipment
- Following technical repair procedures
- Diagnosing failures instead of simply replacing parts
- Working safely around large equipment
- Taking pride in quality repairs
If you bring the mechanical ability and willingness to learn, we can help you develop the locomotive-specific knowledge.
What We're Looking For
- Strong mechanical aptitude
- Diesel or heavy-equipment mechanical experience preferred
- Ability to troubleshoot mechanical problems
- Experience using hand, power, and pneumatic tools
- Ability to read gauges and precision measuring instruments
- Ability to understand technical manuals, schematics, drawings, and specifications
- Good problem-solving skills
- Attention to detail
- Dependable work history
- Safety-minded approach to your work
- Willingness to learn locomotive systems and FRA requirements
- Ability to work overtime when production demands require it
- High school diploma or GED preferred
Physical & Work Environment
This is a hands-on industrial mechanic position working in and around large railroad equipment.
Candidates must be able to safely perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, including:
- Lift up to 82 lbs. with or without assistance
- Stand and walk for extended periods
- Bend, kneel, squat, stoop, climb, reach, push, and pull
- Climb locomotive steps, stairs, ladders, and scaffolding
- Work from elevated and uneven surfaces
- Work above and below shoulder and waist level
- Crawl and work in restricted areas
- Work around heavy machinery and moving equipment
- Work in environments that may include heat, cold, noise, dust, fumes, and outdoor weather conditions
- Wear required PPE including safety glasses, hard hat, hearing protection, and steel-toe footwear
- Meet applicable medical requirements for respiratory protection when required
Why Consider Locomotive Repair?
If you've spent years working on trucks, tractors, or heavy equipment, this is an opportunity to use those same mechanical skills on a completely different class of machine.
Locomotive repair provides the chance to learn specialized railroad equipment while continuing to do what experienced mechanics do best: diagnose problems, tear equipment down, repair it correctly, and put it back to work.
About Metro East Industries
Metro East Industries, Inc. has been serving the railroad industry since 1990.
What began as a railcar repair company has grown into a major provider of locomotive and railcar inspection, maintenance, repair, rebuilding, and field services for Class I railroads, short-line railroads, leasing companies, OEMs, and industrial customers.
Today, MEI employs approximately 500 people and remains a third-generation family-owned business.
We believe our success depends on our employees, and we're committed to safety, teamwork, quality workmanship, and providing opportunities for people to build long-term careers.
Ready to Put Your Diesel Experience to Work on Something Bigger?
You don't need to come from the railroad industry.
If you're an experienced diesel, truck, agricultural, heavy-equipment, or industrial mechanic and you're interested in learning locomotive repair, we want to hear from you.
Apply today to join Metro East Industries in the Burlington, Iowa region.
Metro East Industries, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $28.00 - $38.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- Locomotive Repair: 1 year (Preferred)
- Diesel engine repair: 1 year (Required)
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: On the road
