Rail Network Operations Intern - Spring 2026 - (Master's or PHD)

Norfolk Southern • Atlanta, GA

28d • Onsite

About The Position

Norfolk Southern is seeking a graduate-level Operations Intern to help optimize Norfolk Southern's railroads Network Operations Center. In this role, you will work closely with multiple departments - including Crew Management, Locomotive Management, Train Dispatching, Network Operations, and Network Design - to analyze train schedules and operational data. The intern will identify opportunities for optimization (e.g. crew scheduling conflicts, locomotive utilization gaps, recurring delays) and recommend improvements to enhance on-time performance and cost efficiency. This internship offers hands-on exposure to the day-to-day operations of a major railroad in a fast-paced environment, with opportunities to map out processes and contribute to impactful operational changes. Prior railroad industry experience is not required - we value strong analytical skills and a willingness to learn about transportation operations.

Requirements

• Education: Currently pursuing a Master's or Ph.D. degree in a relevant field such as Industrial Engineering, Operations Research, Supply Chain Management, Transportation/Logistics, Business Analytics, or a related discipline. (Exceptional senior-level undergraduate students in similar fields may be considered.)
• Analytical Skills: Proven strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. Comfortable working with large datasets and extracting actionable insights. Coursework or experience in operations analysis, process improvement, or scheduling optimization is a plus.
• Technical Skills: Advanced Microsoft Excel proficiency is required. Experience with additional data analysis tools or programming languages (e.g. SQL, Python, R) and data visualization software (e.g. Tableau or Power BI) is a plus.
• Process Documentation: Ability to understand and document business processes clearly. Familiarity with process mapping techniques or tools (such as Microsoft Visio or flowchart software) is beneficial.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Able to translate analysis into clear recommendations and present findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Comfortable asking questions and communicating across different departments.
• Teamwork: Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional team environment.
• Availability: Ability to work on-site in Atlanta, GA for the duration of the internship. Reliable and organized, with the flexibility to adapt to the fast-paced and dynamic nature of network operations.

Responsibilities

• Operations Analysis: Review and analyze train schedules across various locations to identify conflicts or inefficiencies. Determine where crews or locomotives are not optimally utilized - for example, trains delayed due to crew rest issues or crews waiting in hotels for extended periods - and pinpoint opportunities for schedule optimization.
• Operational Optimization: Identify and propose adjustments to train scheduling, crew assignments, and locomotive staging to improve network fluidity and reliability. Provide data-driven recommendations on aligning train schedules with crew availability and locomotive readiness to reduce delays and annulments.
• Process Mapping & Documentation: Document and flow-chart existing operational processes. Highlight pain points or bottlenecks in these processes and assist in developing improved process guidelines. Ensure that process documentation is clear and up-to-date for reference by various teams.
• Data Analysis of Labor Claims: Gather and analyze data on recurring union labor claims related to crew operations (for example, extra compensation claims due to schedule issues or contract violations). Identify patterns or common causes for these claims and quantify their impact. Work with management to recommend process or policy changes that could reduce the frequency of claims and associated costs.
• Reporting & Presentation: Develop Excel-based reports or dashboards to track key performance indicators (KPIs) related to crew utilization, train performance, and claim occurrences. Prepare presentations or summary documents to share your analysis and recommendations with operations leadership. Incorporate feedback and help implement approved improvements where possible.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Industry: Rail Transportation
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees