Locomotive Electrician- Chicago, IL 2026

About the role

At Norfolk Southern, we believe that our people power progress. Our culture is built on our SPIRIT values—Safety, Performance, Integrity, Respect, Innovation, and Teamwork—which guides how we work, lead, and grow together. If you're ready to launch a career in electrical maintenance and contribute to the reliability of our locomotive fleet, we invite you to explore the Locomotive Electrician Trainee role. This hands-on, field-based position prepares individuals for a career in locomotive electrical maintenance through structured classroom instruction and on-the-job training. Trainees learn to inspect, repair, and install electrical systems and components on diesel-electric locomotives to ensure safe and efficient operations across our network. This is a seniority-based union position. You must be available to work shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Extensive travel for training may be required. Union membership is required within 60 days of establishing seniority. Training includes both classroom and field instruction: Classroom Training: Mechanical Safety Orientation and craft-specific training in locomotive electrical systems. Field Training: Hands-on experience in locomotive shops and yards. Duration: Approximately 7 weeks (1 week safety orientation + 6 weeks craft training). Norfolk Southern provides lodging and reimburses travel per union agreement.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with all railroad rules, safety regulations, and federal standards.
• Wire, maintain, repair, rebuild, inspect, and install electrical equipment such as rheostats, control systems, transformers, motors, generators, welding machines, lighting fixtures, battery charging systems, magnet coils, switchboards, meters, compensators, and rotors.
• Measure, cut, thread, bend, and assemble connections to control panels and junction boxes.
• Read electrical prints, test circuits, and connections using multimeters, amp clamps, and other diagnostic tools.
• Diagnose and repair electrical malfunctions including charging issues, transition problems, wheel slip, sander circuits, and high/low voltage grounds.
• Perform work activities utilizing voltages up to 1200V and amperages up to 2400A.
• Examine parts for wear and defects such as brushes, contact tips, slip rings, armatures, diodes, bearings, and fuses.
• Interpret test instrument indicators and computer-generated data.
• Interpret information from computer monitors or printouts.
• Perform miscellaneous activities and responsibilities as assigned by supervisor.
• Work safely to prevent on-the-job accidents and injuries.
• Wear required protective equipment such as hard hat, hearing protection