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Canadian National Railway Company

Railway Car Technician (Car Mechanic)

Entry-Level JobVerifiedNo experience needed

Career Insights for Automotive Service Technician / Mechanic

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What they do

An Automotive Service Technician or Mechanic repairs and performs maintenance on cars and smaller trucks; may conduct auto inspections.

$47,826 / year median in Indiana

+8% projected growth

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Job Description

Qualified Rate :
$42.49 Per hour Please note that new hires in this role may be paid a lower hourly rate during their qualifying period. In addition, CN employees are also eligible to an employee share investment plan (ESIP), Pension, Benefits, Railroad Retirement Benefits (RRB) and other perks. Railway Car Technician (Car Mechanic) At CN, we are committed to our pursuit of excellence. We take pride in delivering work of the highest standard, continually innovating to shape the railroad of the future. As responsible railroaders, we make the right decisions every time, putting safety first, acting with unwavering integrity, and holding ourselves accountable for our actions. We believe in succeeding together—by fostering inclusivity and collaboration, we sustainably deliver exceptional results for our customers. If you are a skilled trades person or interested in skilled trades and continuous learning in a safety-focused environment, working at CN could be a great fit for you. You'll be working on all types of equipment and structures designed to support the distribution of freight across North America. Enjoy paid training and evolve your skills. The careers we offer are meaningful because the work we do matters. Join us and get your career moving! Job Summary The Car Mechanic Apprentice is responsible for inspecting, maintaining, building and repairing railway freight cars and equipment in accordance with Federal and CN's regulations. The incumbent is considered a Car Mechanic Apprentice until they have graduated to Journey Car Mechanic. Working Conditions Irregular shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays, and occasional overtime Work indoors and outdoors in varying weather and environmental conditions. Frequent bending, stooping, squatting, kneeling, performing overhead work, lifting/carrying up to 50 pounds and occasionally up to 85 pounds Frequent climbing, balancing, grasping, and good eye-hand coordination May be required to work away from assigned terminal. Major Responsibilities Inspect cars and components in accordance with railroad associations, Federal Railroad Administration regulations, and company operating standards. Perform all scheduled, on-request and preventive maintenance and repair on rail cars, under frames, on structures, safety appliances, draft systems and any associated tests. Repair and install railway car parts such as compressors, air valves, bearings, couplings, air cylinders and piping. Use hand tools, power tools, welding equipment, cutting torches and measuring instruments. Operate transport vehicles including cranes, trucks, track mobile and shop equipment. Prepare inspection, maintenance and work reports, and record details on prescribed forms in accordance with established procedures. Requirements High School Diploma or General Educational Development (GED). Must be 18 years of age or older. Must meet all medical fitness for duty requirements for the position, including requirements for Safety. A valid driver's license. Ability to work autonomously, adapt to different situations and manage stress. Demonstrates good teamwork and maintain positive interactions with others. Good verbal, reading comprehension and writing skills. Dedicated to getting the job done while meeting established standards of quality, safety, and client satisfaction. Familiarity with electrical and electronic tools and instruments. Ability to determine the condition of objects and parts for wear and defects. Basic computer skills. Must meet all medical fitness for duty requirements for the position, including requirements for Safety Critical Positions established by the FRA regulation. Ability to pass a background investigation pertaining to federal and state criminal history, including driver history Assets Previous welding experience gained through formal training or work experience Vocational/technical training and/or knowledge of Railroad Operating Rules Familiarity with electrical and electronic tools and instruments Ability to work autonomously, adapt to different situations and manage stress Demonstrate good teamwork and maintain positive interactions with others Good verbal, reading comprehension and writing skills Ability to determine the condition of objects/parts for wear and/or defects Dedicated to getting the job done while meeting established standards of quality, safety and client satisfaction What We Offer Competitive Wages, Benefits, and Pension Plan Paid Training and Career Development Medical, vision, and dental insurance 24/7 Telemedicine Service Employee Share Investment Plan Educational Financial Assistance Program Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) Extensive Employee Discount Program Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
Paid Training:
Newly hired Car Mechanics will take part in paid training which includes classroom instructions and field training during their first months of service. The training guides the new Car Mechanic through the critical safety skills required to work on the railroad. Once the classroom training is complete, the Car Mechanic will complete on the job training to enhance their knowledge and skills. Successful completion of the training course is essential to maintain employment as a Car Mechanic. An apprentice's application may be rescinded in the event that they do not display the aptitude or desire to learn within the first 120 days of their employment.
Successful Candidate Process:
Medical assessment (including drug, hearing, and vision). Criminal background check
Offer Letter Paid Training Structure:
3 weeks in CN campus (Homewood, IL) 2+ weeks in shop (on-the-job training) 3 weeks in CN campus (Homewood, IL) About CN CN is a premium railroad that sustainably generates value for our customers, shareholders, employees, and stakeholders with an unwavering commitment to safety and service. Essential to the economy, to the customers, and to the communities it serves, CN safely transports more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods throughout North America every year. CN's network connects Canada's Eastern and Western coasts with the U.S. South through a 20,000-mile rail network. CN and its affiliates have been contributing to community prosperity and sustainable trade since 1919. CN powers the North American economy and is committed to programs supporting social responsibility and environmental stewardship. At CN, we are dedicated to building North America's safest , most inclusive and sustainable railroad, which includes reflecting the communities in which we operate. Research shows that candidates often don't apply unless they feel they fit the job posting at 100%. To all potential applicants, even if you don't meet every job requirement listed in a posting, we still encourage you to apply. If you require an accommodation for the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials, accessible meeting rooms or other accommodations), please get in touch with our team at cnrecruitment@cn.ca . As an equal opportunity employer, qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law. Please monitor your email on a regular basis as communication to applicants is done via email. FAQ Check here for answers to your CN hiring questions. Applying for a Job at CN Does CN offer entry-level positions? Yes, we have many positions ranging from entry to senior levels, both in the field and in corporate and IT functions. All available positions are posted onto our Careers website. Does CN hire students, interns, and new graduates? Yes, Internship opportunities are posted onto our Careers website, when available. What's the best way to apply for a position at CN? Search and apply for a job on our Careers website. Once you've created a profile you'll be able to apply for additional openings and view the status of your application(s). We do not accept resumes by email, fax or mail. Can I apply for more than one job at the same time? Yes, feel free to apply to any jobs you're qualified for. What is the rehire process for former CN employees? The application process for a former CN employee is the same as for all other candidates. Does CN accept foreign applicants? CN requires that applicants be legally eligible to work in Canada or the US. This includes Citizens, Permanent Residents, or anyone in possession of a work permit with certain conditions. At this time, CN does not provide immigration assistance to foreign applicants. My Job Application What is my application status? To see your application status, go to our Careers website and login to your candidate profile. It may take some time before your status is updated, as we receive a high volume of applications on a daily basis. If you are being considered for a job, you will be contacted by a member of our Recruitment Team. Can I withdraw an application? Yes, if you change your mind about a particular job, you may withdraw your application at any time. If you've already received a job offer, you can simply decline it. I completed an Online Assessment, what are my next steps? The Recruitment Team will notify you by email whether or not you will be moving on to the next step of the recruitment process, based on your online assessment results. If successful, you will be invited to the next available recruitment session hosted in the location you have applied to. Keep in mind that it can take several weeks before a session becomes available. I was unsuccessful with the online assessment - how long must I wait before I can re-apply? You will have to wait a period of 6 months before you are eligible to re-apply to a position that requires the same testing. I am having technical difficulties with the online assessment. For online assessment troubleshooting and support please contact cnrecruitment@cn.ca . I was not selected for a job and would like feedback on my application. Due to the high number of applications we receive, we cannot provide feedback as to why each candidate was not progressed. Using our career site How do I create a Careers profile? Click the Create a Profile button in the upper right-hand corner of our Careers website and complete the form and captcha. Can I edit a previously submitted cover letters, resumes, and/or documents? No, once an application has been submitted, you cannot upload additional documents, revise questions, nor replace the existing resume or letters attached to that application. I forgot my password. If you forgot your password or need to create a new one, click on the Forgot Password link. Enter your User Name or User ID, and an email containing your password will be sent to you. Be sure to check your inbox, spam, and junk folders for the password recovery email. If you do not receive the password recovery email within 24hrs, contact your Talent Acquisition Advisor directly or send an email to cnrecruitment@cn.ca . For all other technical issues If you are experiencing technical difficulties with our Careers website, send us an email at cnrecruitment@cn.ca describing the technical issue(s) in detail and provide us with screenshots so that we can better assist you. Employee Login Contact Us Email the Recruitment Team Careers Working at CN Inclusion Candidate Experience Military Early Career Job Fairs and Events About CN Leadership Team History ©2025, Canadian National Railway Company Terms Conditions Privacy Stay connected with CN