Watco · 4 hours ago
Conductor/Engineer - Decatur, IL
Decatur, IL
Full-time
Onsite
New Grad, Entry Level
$24/hr - $24/hrWatco is a company that keeps the world’s supply chain moving through its network of short line railroads and logistics hubs. The Conductor/Engineer position involves controlling and coordinating train movements to facilitate the safe and efficient loading and unloading of railcars.
Customer ServiceLogisticsTransportationWarehousing
Responsibilities
Demonstrate predictable, reliable, and timely attendance
Follow written and verbal directions to complete assigned tasks on schedule
Read, write, and communicate in English & understand basic math
Learn from directions, observations, and mistakes and apply procedures using good judgment
Reads switching orders from designated person
Supervises and coordinates the activities of train crews
Receives oral or written instructions from Manager or Customer indicating which cars are to be switched
Notifies engineer of switching orders and, whereby, which cars are to be moved to specified locations of yard, using radio, telephone, verbal or hand signals
Talks to crew or other yard workers via radio to give or receive switching information
Confers with train dispatcher via radio to issue or receive information or instructions concerning stops, delays, or oncoming trains
Gives instructions to throw track switches and to couple and uncouple cars
May assist workers to throw switches or perform other activities involved when performing switching operations
Turns hand brake wheel or ratchet type brake as well as apply and release handbrakes
Observes track to detect obstructions
Maintains records, number, origin, destination, and cargo of cars switched
May coordinate activities of switching crew from locomotive cab, caboose, or control tower
Raises coupling lever to couple or uncouple cars
Throws track switches to facilitate shunting of cars and signals Engineer to move cars, using lantern, arm signals or radio
Connects air hose to cars when making up trains by bending and applying force
May set warning signals, such as flares, flags, lanterns, or torpedoes at front of and at rear of train during emergency stops to warn oncoming trains
Sits or rides in cab of locomotive to observe signals from other crew members
May make minor repairs to couplings, and air hoses and report any equipment requiring major repairs
May talk to Engineer via radio to give or receive switching information
Performs other duties as requested or required
Qualification
Required
Demonstrate predictable, reliable, and timely attendance
Follow written and verbal directions to complete assigned tasks on schedule
Read, write, and communicate in English & understand basic math
Learn from directions, observations, and mistakes and apply procedures using good judgment
Reads switching orders from designated person
Supervises and coordinates the activities of train crews
Receives oral or written instructions from Manager or Customer indicating which cars are to be switched
Notifies engineer of switching orders and, whereby, which cars are to be moved to specified locations of yard, using radio, telephone, verbal or hand signals
Talks to crew or other yard workers via radio to give or receive switching information
Confers with train dispatcher via radio to issue or receive information or instructions concerning stops, delays, or oncoming trains
Gives instructions to throw track switches and to couple and uncouple cars
May assist workers to throw switches or perform other activities involved when performing switching operations
Turns hand brake wheel or ratchet type brake as well as apply and release handbrakes
Observes track to detect obstructions
Maintains records, number, origin, destination, and cargo of cars switched
May coordinate activities of switching crew from locomotive cab, caboose, or control tower
Raises coupling lever to couple or uncouple cars
Throws track switches to facilitate shunting of cars and signals Engineer to move cars, using lantern, arm signals or radio
Connects air hose to cars when making up trains by bending and applying force
May set warning signals, such as flares, flags, lanterns, or torpedoes at front of and at rear of train during emergency stops to warn oncoming trains
Sits or rides in cab of locomotive to observe signals from other crew members
May make minor repairs to couplings, and air hoses and report any equipment requiring major repairs
May talk to Engineer via radio to give or receive switching information
Performs other duties as requested or required
High school education or general education development (GED)
Ability to pass training and required testing
Benefits
Outstanding culture recognized by Forbes and Newsweek
Competitive compensation and benefits
Paid on-the-job training with peer trainers
Operations training at the Safe Performance Center in Birmingham, Alabama
Leadership and development programs offered through Watco University
Career advancement opportunities
Company
Watco
Watco is a full-service supply chain solutions provider specializing in rail, transloading, and logistics.
Founded in 1983
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$1.57BKey Investors
Duration Capital Partners
2025-09-03Debt Financing· $250M
2025-06-17Private Equity· $600M
2024-07-10Debt Financing· $700M
Leadership Team
Dan Smith
Chief Executive Officer
Andy Cordischi
SVP, Chief Information Officer
Recent News
Morningstar.com
2025-09-04
2025-09-04
Venture Capital Firms
2025-06-22
Company data provided by crunchbase