Mechanical Sub-Foreperson

At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA’s core values are built around safety, service, equity, sustainability, culture, and accessibility, and each employee performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values.

About the Role

The Mechanical Sub-Foreperson supports the Machine Shop Foreperson in the daily oversight of shop fabrication, mechanical repair, and overhaul activities. The role provides both structured and hands-on instruction to machine shop employees and apprentices at varying skill levels. This position blends supervisory responsibilities with a strong instructional component, ensuring consistent application of mechanical standards, proper machining techniques, and effective employee development across the Authority. Work is performed in machine shops, maintenance facilities, fabrication areas, vehicle facilities, and field locations. The Mechanical Sub-Foreperson ensures that all activities comply with MBTA policies, procedures, and safety requirements.

This role is responsible for promoting and enforcing safe work practices within the machine shop, including compliance with machine guarding, lockout/tagout, PPE, lifting and rigging, hazardous-material, environmental, and equipment-operating requirements. The position must identify, document, report, and escalate unsafe conditions, defective equipment, training gaps, or other hazards and participate in safety briefings, inspections, investigations, and corrective-action activities as required.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Machine Shop Foreperson in planning, assigning, prioritizing, overseeing, and reviewing mechanical repair, overhaul, machining, and fabrication work.
• Assign and direct machinists, apprentices, trainees, and other assigned personnel within the limits of their training and qualifications.
• Inspect in-progress and completed work to ensure safe execution, dimensional accuracy, workmanship, schedule compliance, and adherence to technical specifications and Authority standards.
• Provide classroom, shop-based, and hands-on technical instruction to machinists, apprentices, trainees, and other assigned employees.
• Train employees in the safe and proper use of machine tools, precision measuring instruments, manual and CNC equipment, shop machinery, and related systems.
• Interpret and explain diagrams, drawings, blueprints, technical specifications, repair procedures, and work instructions.
• Develop, maintain, and deliver instructional materials, demonstrations, lesson plans, training modules, practical exercises, and assessments.
• Conduct pre-training, post-training, and practical evaluations to assess skill development and qualification readiness.
• Monitor completion of required training modules, certifications, and qualifications and maintain accurate training records.
• Review and document work assignments, production activity, training participation, employee performance, and maintenance records using applicable manual and computerized systems.
• Identify workmanship, tooling, material, equipment, training, staffing, or safety concerns and escalate them to the Machine Shop Foreperson or other appropriate management.
• Ensure compliance with applicable safety rules, PPE requirements, machine-guarding requirements, lockout/tagout procedures, environmental requirements, and shop operating procedures.
• Ensure tools, machinery, equipment, materials, inventory, and facilities are properly used, maintained, and protected.
• Support the development of improved machining methods, training techniques, technical reports, tooling, fixtures, presentations, and procedures.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Training, Quality, Safety, Materials, and other departments as needed.
• Assume the responsibilities of the Machine Shop Foreperson as assigned or in their absence.
• Respond to emergencies, service needs, and operational requirements as directed.
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

Requirements

• A high school diploma or equivalent from an accredited institution.
• Five (5) years of machinist experience in a precision machine shop environment, including complex repair, maintenance, overhaul, fabrication, manual machining, CNC machining, close-tolerance measurement, component reconditioning, and mechanical system restoration.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and work from diagrams, drawings, blueprints, technical specifications, repair procedures, and written instructions.
• Experience in a supervisory, lead worker, acting, training, or instructional capacity within a machine shop, mechanical, manufacturing, or maintenance environment.
• Demonstrated ability to operate and provide instruction on machine tools, precision measuring equipment, manual machinery, CNC equipment, and related shop systems.
• Effective communication, instructional, organizational, analytical, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to train, guide, evaluate, and provide constructive feedback to employees at varying skill levels.
• Ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel, database applications, computerized maintenance systems, and training-record systems.
• Possess a valid driver’s license.
• Ability to supervise and work effectively with a diverse workforce.
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with a courteous and professional experience.
• Ability to successfully complete training in instructional techniques and adult-learning principles within a timeframe established by the Authority.

Preferred Experience & Skills

• Technical degree, trade-school diploma, apprenticeship, or machinist/mechanical certification from an accredited institution.
• Advanced experience operating, troubleshooting, and maintaining lathes, mills, grinders, CNC equipment, and precision measuring tools.
• Experience developing and delivering technical training related to machining processes, equipment operation, technical measurement, blueprint reading, and shop safety.
• Supervisory or lead-level experience in a precision machine shop, manufacturing, overhaul, or fleet-maintenance environment.
• Experience with workflow planning, quality assurance, dimensional inspection, tooling, fixtures, and root-cause analysis.
• Experience using computerized maintenance, manufacturing, quality, or learning-management systems.

Job Conditions

• Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program.
• Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
• Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required).
• Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
• Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
• Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records.
• Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and/or medical Clinic screening, potentially including physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
• Ability to work all shifts and/or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit/operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
• Intern/co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship/co-op. Additionally, interns/co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting pre-employment screenings/pre-boarding, working in their positions, and throughout the duration of their program.
• Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.
• Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page/text/call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.
• During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.