Train Assembler
💰 $45,000 - $70,000
🎯 Role Definition
As a Train Assembler, you are the backbone of our production line, responsible for bringing complex engineering designs to life. You will work as part of a skilled team to build, fit, and install a wide variety of mechanical, electrical, and structural components onto world-class railway vehicles. This position requires a high degree of precision, a strong commitment to safety, and the ability to interpret technical drawings and schematics. Your craftsmanship will ensure our trains meet the highest standards of quality, reliability, and safety, providing dependable transportation for communities and industries.
📈 Career Progression
Typical Career Path
Entry Point From:
- Automotive Technician or Mechanic
- Aircraft Assembler or A&P Mechanic
- Industrial Maintenance Technician
- General Manufacturing Assembler
Advancement To:
- Lead Train Assembler / Team Lead
- Production Supervisor
- Quality Control Inspector
- Manufacturing Engineer Technician
Lateral Moves:
- Railcar Electrician
- Maintenance & Repair Technician
- Welder / Fabricator
Core Responsibilities
Primary Functions
- Interpret complex engineering blueprints, 3D models, electrical schematics, and detailed assembly instructions to guide the construction of railcars.
- Assemble and install a wide range of structural, mechanical, and electrical components onto locomotive and passenger railcar frames with high precision.
- Perform precise fitting and alignment of large-scale sub-assemblies, including bogies, side walls, roofs, flooring systems, and end caps.
- Install, connect, and secure interior components such as passenger seats, luggage racks, lighting fixtures, and wall panels according to detailed specifications.
- Route, clamp, and terminate complex electrical wiring harnesses and data cables throughout the rail vehicle, ensuring secure and accurate connections.
- Mount and connect major systems including HVAC units, advanced braking systems, couplers, and pantographs.
- Utilize a diverse array of hand, pneumatic, and electric power tools, including torque wrenches, grinders, and drills, with a focus on safety and accuracy.
- Operate heavy lifting equipment, such as overhead cranes and forklifts, to safely maneuver and position large components and sub-assemblies.
- Apply industrial-grade sealants, adhesives, and caulking to seams and joints to ensure the vehicle's water-tightness and structural integrity.
- Conduct in-process quality control checks and inspections to verify that all work meets stringent company, customer, and industry standards.
- Troubleshoot and resolve assembly issues as they arise, identifying root causes and collaborating with engineering or lead technicians for effective solutions.
- Perform drilling, tapping, reaming, and countersinking operations on various metal and composite materials as required by assembly drawings.
- Install and test pneumatic and hydraulic lines and components, ensuring leak-free connections and proper functionality under pressure.
- Document all completed work, inspections, material usage, and non-conformances accurately in the Manufacturing Execution System (MES).
- Fit and secure a variety of underframe equipment, including air reservoirs, brake actuators, converters, and various control boxes.
- Conduct functional tests on installed systems, such as door operations, lighting, communication systems, and diagnostics, to ensure they are fully operational.
- Prepare and mask surfaces for painting or finishing, and apply detailed decals and external livery to finished vehicles.
Secondary Functions
- Assist in the training and mentoring of new or less-experienced assemblers on standard operating procedures and safety protocols.
- Perform basic preventative maintenance on tools and equipment to ensure operational readiness and a safe working condition.
- Contribute to lean manufacturing and continuous improvement events, offering practical insights from the shop floor to enhance efficiency, safety, and quality.
- Participate actively in daily team meetings, safety briefings, and toolbox talks to foster a collaborative, communicative, and secure work environment.
Required Skills & Competencies
Hard Skills (Technical)
- Blueprint & Schematic Reading: Ability to read, interpret, and work from complex technical drawings, wiring diagrams, and assembly instructions.
- Mechanical Assembly & Fitting: Proven experience in assembling large, complex mechanical products with tight tolerances.
- Tool Proficiency: Skilled in the safe and effective use of a wide range of hand, electric, and pneumatic power tools.
- Precision Measurement: Competency in using measurement tools like tape measures, calipers, levels, and torque wrenches to ensure accuracy.
- Electrical Wiring: Experience with routing, terminating, and connecting electrical wires and harnesses.
- Hydraulic/Pneumatic Systems: Basic knowledge of installing and testing hydraulic and pneumatic lines and components.
- Quality Inspection: Ability to perform self-inspections and identify deviations from quality standards.
- Heavy Equipment Operation: Experience with or ability to be trained on operating overhead cranes and forklifts.
Soft Skills
- Attention to Detail: Meticulous and precise in all aspects of work to ensure quality and safety.
- Problem-Solving: Strong analytical skills to diagnose and resolve assembly challenges effectively.
- Teamwork & Collaboration: Ability to work cooperatively within a diverse team to achieve common production goals.
- Safety-Conscious: A steadfast commitment to following all safety rules and promoting a safe work culture.
- Adaptability: Flexible and able to adapt to changing priorities and production schedules in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong Work Ethic: Reliable, motivated, and dedicated to performing high-quality work consistently.
Education & Experience
Educational Background
Minimum Education:
- High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
Preferred Education:
- Certificate or Associate's Degree from a vocational or technical college.
Relevant Fields of Study:
- Mechanical Technology or Industrial Maintenance
- Automotive or Diesel Technology
- Aviation Maintenance Technology (A&P)
- Welding Technology
Experience Requirements
Typical Experience Range: 1-3+ years of experience in a relevant assembly or technical role.
Preferred:
- Experience in heavy equipment, transportation, or aerospace manufacturing (e.g., assembly of buses, trucks, aircraft, or military vehicles).
- Demonstrated experience working in a production environment with a focus on safety and quality control.