Operator Mechanic I (CSX)

Sperry Rail•Rockingham, NC

About The Position

Sperry Rail Service is a global provider of Rail Flaw Detection services and technologies. The Operator Mechanic I operates a rail detector car, performs inspections, and supports the maintenance and repair of specialized rail testing equipment. This is a heavy-travel position requiring employees to live and work on a locomotive during assignments. The schedule is primarily evening/overnight, from 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM. The role involves field travel and hands-on mechanical and operational work in a demanding rail environment. Work is performed outdoors in all weather conditions and requires mobility, lifting, bending, crawling, and repetitive movement. Employees may enter and exit rail vehicles hundreds of times per shift and work in confined spaces, including beneath vehicles with clearance as low as 18 inches. Pay is $23.00 per hour. The position offers a $1,000 sign-on bonus after 60 days of employment, per diem for meals, and payment of travel expenses by Sperry.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.
Ability to pass a DOT physical, drug screening, and criminal background check, as applicable by law.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to follow detailed procedures and work in a safety-sensitive environment.
Ability to travel extensively and live and work on a locomotive during assignments.
Ability to perform physically demanding work involving mobility, lifting, bending, crawling, and repetitive movement.

Responsibilities

Operate a detector car or rail test vehicle and assist the crew with measurements and data collection.
Enter and exit rail vehicles via steps and ladders multiple times per shift.
Deploy and operate rail testing equipment along track systems.
Monitor the vehicle, track conditions, and test data for accuracy and functionality.
Follow customer-specific operating procedures and guidelines.
Communicate with crew members using verbal, radio, and intercom systems; receive and relay instructions, safety updates, and track conditions.
Identify and announce rail obstructions and traffic patterns, and respond to critical audible alarms and safety systems.
Perform routine maintenance on vehicle systems, including the engine, generator, body, and detector carriage.
Clean interior and exterior vehicle components and perform mechanical maintenance, including oil, antifreeze, and filters.
Work in confined spaces, including crawling under vehicles with clearance as low as 18 inches.
Assist maintenance teams with repairs and troubleshooting.
Conduct routine inspections and report deficiencies to the Chief Operator.
Support preventative maintenance schedules and DOT compliance inspections.
Maintain proper inventory levels, equipment readiness, and a clean, organized, operational detector car.
Maintain professional and cooperative relationships with railroad personnel.
Promptly and thoroughly report customer concerns or complaints to leadership.
Accurately and promptly enter required operational data into the DCS reporting system.