Overview of Hourly Positions

Maintaining our position as one of the premier transportation companies in the world depends on the skill and dedication of our workers. The majority of Norfolk Southern’s 28,000 employees work in hourly positions. These skilled crafts jobs are covered under collective bargaining agreements and require union membership after a probationary period.

Norfolk Southern's hourly employees are well-compensated for the critical operations tasks they perform on a day to day basis. Wages are paid on an hourly, daily, or monthly rate of pay either weekly or bi-weekly depending on location and depending on the position and applicable labor union agreement.

Our team-based environment emphasizes diversity, responsibility and creative problem solving. A career with Norfolk Southern is based on values like integrity and excellence the proof of which can be seen among our employees.

Safety is of primary importance at Norfolk Southern. No matter what type of position you hold with us, you are expected to complete your tasks with a “safety first” mentality. To give you an idea of the hourly positions available at NS, below are several of the jobs that we recruit for on a regular basis.

Conductor Trainee
As a conductor trainee, you will operate track switches, couple cars and work on freight trains in yard operations or on the road. This job involves working outside in all weather conditions and may require substantial travel. You must be able to perform several tasks that require pulling, controlling and climbing on and off equipment. Watch our video to learn more about being a conductor with NS

Freight Car Repairer
Freight car repair involves heavy industrial mechanical work performing maintenance, repair and inspection of freight cars. These jobs often require outside, night shift and weekend work depending on your assignment. Assignment locations include yards, shops and road trucks. Experience in welding or mechanical repairs is preferred but not necessary.

Boilermaker
As a boilermaker, you are responsible for the oxy-fuel burning and electric arc welding performed in locomotive maintenance, including wreck repairs. Experience in metal fabrication, print reading and layout is helpful, but not required.

Electrician
Our electricians perform diagnostic and repair work primarily to our fleet of diesel-electric locomotives. In this position, you must be able to read electrical schematic drawings, use volt-ohm meters and current meters while troubleshooting circuits. At times, you may also be assigned routine tasks for locomotive maintenance.

Machinist
Machinists repair mechanical systems on diesel-electric locomotives including the diesel engine, air brakes and running gear. Limited use of machine tools makes these positions more mechanic-oriented. Workers with experience with welding, hydraulics or equipment maintenance are well-suited to this job.

Pipefitter
Our pipefitters are involved in various aspects of locomotive maintenance by working on repairs and fabrication using pipe and sheet metal. If you have welding and brazing skills, you will be a good candidate for this position. You also must be able to operate various power tools including pipe threading machines.

Central Yard Operations Clerk
As a central yard operations clerk, you will perform administrative work involving customer and train crew communications. Clerks use a Windows-based computer system and are assigned to one of three shifts at our 24-hour a day/7-day a week operation. Candidates must possess an accurate typing speed of at least 35 WPM.

Crew Management Center Dispatcher
Crew Management Center Dispatchers are responsible for scheduling locomotive engineers and conductors using our computerized calling system. Because of the specialized nature of this position, six weeks of paid classroom and on the job training is provided. You must be willing to work varied schedules at our 24-hour a day/7-day a week operation, and possess excellent communication skills. Computer proficiency and 35 wpm data entry skills are required.

Signal Trainee
Signal Trainees are involved in the construction and maintenance of railroad signal equipment. These jobs require outside work with considerable regional travel. Preference is given to candidates who have an electronics/electrical background and/or educational training in electronics. Additionally, you must be at least 21 years of age in order to obtain the required commercial driver's license with airbrake endorsement.