Locomotive Engineer

Brightline • West Palm Beach, FL

2d

About The Position

As a Locomotive Engineer at Brightline, you will play a critical role in delivering a safe, reliable, and exceptional travel experience for our Guests. Your responsibilities include operating locomotives with precision, adhering to strict safety and compliance standards, and maintaining constant situational awareness to ensure smooth and efficient train movement. This position directly impacts operational excellence and Guest satisfaction by upholding the highest standards of performance and communication. You will collaborate closely with Passenger Conductors, Dispatchers, and other team members to manage real-time decisions, respond to unexpected conditions, and keep our Guests informed and comfortable throughout their journey. Your expertise ensures that Brightline continues to set the benchmark for modern rail travel. If you’re a people-person looking for a role where you’ll be empowered to own your zone, inspired to learn, and have the confidence to bounce back from setbacks, this is the perfect opportunity! Your Role: Train Operations: Operate Brightline trains to transport Guests while delivering the highest level of ride comfort. Perform all required procedures prior to train operation, including reviewing daily dispatcher bulletins, train makeup, restrictions, and tonnage. Receive starting signals from Passenger Conductors and move hand-operated controls such as throttles and air brakes to drive diesel-electric locomotives. Safety & Compliance: Inspect locomotives for operational readiness, mechanical functions, and completing inspection checklists. Ensure proper brake examinations, inspections, and tests are conducted in compliance with federal regulations and company standards. Interpret train orders, signals, and railroad rules and regulations governing locomotive operation while maintaining focus and eliminating distractions. Monitoring & Communication: Monitor gauges, meters, and safety devices that measure speed, amperage, battery charge, and system air pressures, including Automatic Train Control (ATC) and Positive Train Control (PTC) systems. Observe tracks to detect obstructions and anticipate operating problems, remaining alert to unusual conditions or circumstances. Communicate frequently with Passenger Conductors and Train Dispatchers to issue or receive information regarding stops, delays, or oncoming trains, and relay signals, warnings, and other critical information to train personnel. Reporting & Compliance: Document operational and service-related issues accurately by preparing reports on accidents, signaling problems, unscheduled stops, mechanical failures, delays, or any guest-impacting concerns, and completing end-of-duty reports as required. Service Delivery & Guest Experience: Lead guest interactions with professionalism and hospitality while collaborating with the onboard team to provide clear public announcements, a welcoming experience at stations, resolve guest issues using discretion, and offer assistance and information during service disruptions. Incident Response & Reporting: Respond promptly to emergency conditions or breakdowns by following established safety protocols. Inspect, identify, and record locomotive defects and trip irregularities, notifying appropriate parties as required. Prepare detailed reports on issues encountered, including accidents, signaling problems, unscheduled stops, delays, or any matters affecting Guests. Additional Responsibilities: Drive Brightline vehicles between yard and station as needed. Communication: Monitor and review all Brightline communication channels, including the company intranet (bConnected), during work hours to ensure timely awareness of company and department notifications. Please note that this Job Description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the teammate for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Requirements

• 1-3 years of railroad experience.
• You are a Certified Conductor (CFR Title 49, Part 242) with a minimum of 2 years of total railroad experience and at least 3 months experience as a certified Conductor for Brightline, or a Certified Locomotive Engineer (CFR Title 49, Part 240) with a minimum of 1 year experience.
• Successfully trained and qualified in FECR/Brightline Operating Rules and Physical Characteristics.
• This is a physical position. You must have full mobility in seated position facing forward and to the side; physical agility to easily get off/on train equipment, manipulate between cars, bend, reach, stoop, easily and safely ride the side of trains, and lift a variety of equipment.
• Our trains operate 365 day a year. You must be able to work weekends and nights and possibly more than 40 hours a week. Brightline trains will operate on a continuous, set schedule. On-call availability is a necessity.
• You have sound judgment, thinking and acting independently, expressing clear and effective verbal communication skills to interact with guests, crew members, and others to ensure responsible, safe, and efficient train movements and customer service.
• Strong multi-tasking abilities, strong interpersonal and communication skills-outstanding listening, verbal, written and reading comprehension.
• Careful attention to detail and time management.
• Ability to work effectively as a team member.
• Ability to demonstrate self-management capabilities- Possession of self-control, trustworthiness, adaptability and conscientiousness while on the job.
• Ability to learn, recall and apply technical information.
• Shows accountability and dependability, and effectively demonstrates a positive attitude during stressful situations.
• You make logical and prompt choices, conclusions, decisions, etc., based on information provided, especially when in emergency situations.
• You must be able to pass various assessments, including but not limited to medical qualifications, knowledge and practical tests.
• History of safe driving record that meets the requirements of our Brightline Vehicle Operator Policy.
• You operate with integrity, have solid work ethics and can get the job done without direct supervision.
• You live and breathe the operating rules and practices including physical characteristics, safety rules, air brake rules, equipment trouble-shooting practices, and emergency procedures.

Responsibilities

• Operate Brightline trains to transport Guests while delivering the highest level of ride comfort.
• Perform all required procedures prior to train operation, including reviewing daily dispatcher bulletins, train makeup, restrictions, and tonnage.
• Receive starting signals from Passenger Conductors and move hand-operated controls such as throttles and air brakes to drive diesel-electric locomotives.
• Inspect locomotives for operational readiness, mechanical functions, and completing inspection checklists.
• Ensure proper brake examinations, inspections, and tests are conducted in compliance with federal regulations and company standards.
• Interpret train orders, signals, and railroad rules and regulations governing locomotive operation while maintaining focus and eliminating distractions.
• Monitor gauges, meters, and safety devices that measure speed, amperage, battery charge, and system air pressures, including Automatic Train Control (ATC) and Positive Train Control (PTC) systems.
• Observe tracks to detect obstructions and anticipate operating problems, remaining alert to unusual conditions or circumstances.
• Communicate frequently with Passenger Conductors and Train Dispatchers to issue or receive information regarding stops, delays, or oncoming trains, and relay signals, warnings, and other critical information to train personnel.
• Document operational and service-related issues accurately by preparing reports on accidents, signaling problems, unscheduled stops, mechanical failures, delays, or any guest-impacting concerns, and completing end-of-duty reports as required.
• Lead guest interactions with professionalism and hospitality while collaborating with the onboard team to provide clear public announcements, a welcoming experience at stations, resolve guest issues using discretion, and offer assistance and information during service disruptions.
• Respond promptly to emergency conditions or breakdowns by following established safety protocols.
• Inspect, identify, and record locomotive defects and trip irregularities, notifying appropriate parties as required.
• Prepare detailed reports on issues encountered, including accidents, signaling problems, unscheduled stops, delays, or any matters affecting Guests.
• Drive Brightline vehicles between yard and station as needed.
• Monitor and review all Brightline communication channels, including the company intranet (bConnected), during work hours to ensure timely awareness of company and department notifications.

Benefits

• Brightline is pleased to offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, and the opportunity to make a difference while making history as the only privately funded rapid rail service in the country.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed