Conductor/Engineer - Burnet, TX

About the role

The conductor/engineer position will control and coordinate train movements while switching railcars in yards, industrial plants, or similar locations to facilitate the unloading and loading of railcars safely and efficiently for our customers. This is a manual‑labor role that requires proficiency in a range of skills, duties, and requirements within a prescribed training and introductory period.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate predictable, reliable, and timely attendance.
• Follow written and verbal directions to complete assigned tasks on schedule.
• Read, write, and communicate in English and understand basic math.
• Learn from directions, observations, and mistakes and apply procedures using good judgment.
• Read switching orders from the designated person.
• Supervise and coordinate the activities of train crews.
• Observe radio and hand signals in the yard or cab and operate the locomotive in accordance with railroad rules and regulations.
• Observe arm or lantern signals and operate locomotive controls (throttle, air brakes) to move the locomotive forwards or backwards for switching and coupling operations.
• Read and interpret wayside signals, track warrants, bulletins, and railroad rules to operate the locomotive safely and on schedule.
• Receive oral or written instructions from managers or customers indicating which cars are to be switched.
• Notify the engineer of switching orders and which cars are to be moved to specified yard locations, using radio, telephone, verbal, or hand signals.
• Communicate with crew or other yard workers via radio to give or receive switching information.
• Confer with the train dispatcher via radio to issue or receive information or instructions concerning stops, delays, or on‑coming trains.
• Give instructions to throw track switches and to couple and uncouple cars.
• Assist workers in throwing switches or performing other activities involved in switching operations.
• Turn hand‑brake wheels or ratchet‑type brakes and apply/release handbrakes.
• Observe track to detect obstructions.
• Inspect the locomotive after runs to detect damaged or defective equipment.
• Maintain records of the number, origin, destination, and cargo of cars switched.
• Coordinate activities of the switching crew from the locomotive cab, caboose, or control tower.
• Raise coupling levers to couple or uncouple cars.
• Throw track switches to facilitate shunting of cars and signal the engineer to move cars using lantern, arm signals, or radio.
• Connect air hoses to cars when making up trains, applying force as needed.
• Set warning signals (flares, flags, lanterns, torpedoes) at the front and rear of the train during emergency stops to warn on‑coming trains.
• Ride in the locomotive cab to observe signals from other crew members.
• Make minor repairs to couplings and air hoses and report any equipment requiring major repairs.
• Talk to the engineer via radio to give or receive switching information.
• Perform other duties as requested or required.

Qualifications

• Ability to pass training and required testing.
• High School diploma or GED equivalent.

Benefits

• Outstanding culture recognized by Forbes and Newsweek.
• Competitive compensation and benefits.
• Paid on‑the‑job training with peer trainers.
• Training for conductors, engineers, mechanics, and MOW team members at Watco’s Safe Performance Center.
• Leadership and development programs offered through Watco University.
• Career advancement opportunities.

Pay

Starting Pay: $26.00 per hour