Rail Car Mechanic Apprentice

Job summary

Inspect, maintain, and repair freight rail cars and their components, including braking, draft, structural, and safety systems, while completing required tests. Perform urgent and road-service repairs using welding, torch cutting, and power tools, working throughout rail cars and in varied weather conditions.

Job details

Posting Start Date: 10/9/26 Join CPKC, North America’s first transnational railroad connecting U.S. Canada and Mexico, where your career drives progress and safety is paramount. We connect communities, fuel economic growth, and provide meaningful work in a culture that values diversity, accountability, and pride. With opportunities for training, development, and advancement, you’re not just building a career—you’re part of something bigger. Together, we move goods, connect people, and create lasting change. Your future starts here. PURPOSE OF THE POSITION: As a Rail Car Mechanic, you’ll play a key role in keeping freight moving safely and efficiently. Working in a high-production environment, you will perform both preventative and corrective maintenance on rail cars in compliance with regulatory standards. To set you up for success, you’ll receive hands-on training and a specialized 4-week welding course designed for the railroad industry. This role is ideal for individuals who are mechanically inclined, enjoy problem-solving, and thrive working outdoors in a dynamic team setting. POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES: Inspect, maintain, and repair freight car equipment to ensure safe and efficient operation Perform preventative maintenance and repairs on trucks, underframes, structural components, safety appliances, braking systems, draft systems, and conduct all required tests Handle urgent repairs and road service work, including supplementary operations to keep equipment in service Utilize welding, torch cutting, and power tools to execute precision repairs and modifications Work in all areas of rail cars, including underneath, between, on top, and inside to complete maintenance and repair tasks POSITION REQUIREMENTS: High school diploma or general equivalency Minimum 1 year experience working on or around heavy equipment Valid driver’s license Commercial driver’s license and welding experience preferred Available to work all types of shifts, including nights, weekends and holidays in all weather conditions Ability to pass the required written examinations, read and understand safety instructions, rules, regulations and other written or printed material in English Dedication to safety and ability to complete work within guidelines/rules Strong communication skills (provide clear and concise instructions/directions) WHAT CPKC HAS TO OFFER: Flexible and competitive benefits package Competitive company pension and/or retirement plans Employee share purchase plan Annual fitness subsidy Part-time studies program PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS: Medical and Drug Testing This is a safety sensitive position and a successful pre-employment medical assessment including physical, vision, hearing, and a negative company drug test is required. Post hire qualification drug testing may also be required. Background Investigation Criminal history check Education verification Driver’s license verification and driving history CULTURE OF INCLUSION: For our U.S. applicants, CPKC is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, inclusive of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For Canadian applicants CPKC is an employment equity employer committed to the principles of employment equity and inclusion. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply including: women, Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), members of the LGBTQ+ community and people with disabilities. Accommodations for the job application process can be provide, as appropriate, upon request. All applicant information will be managed in accordance with the federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). Req ID: 106255 Department: Mechanical Car Job Type: Full-Time Position Type: Union Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario Country: Canada % of Travel: 0-10% # of Positions: 2 Compensation Rate: $38.67 Job Available to: Internal & External

What you’ll do

Inspect, maintain, and repair freight rail cars and their components, including braking, draft, structural, and safety systems, while completing required tests. Perform urgent and road-service repairs using welding, torch cutting, and power tools, working throughout rail cars and in varied weather conditions.

Requirements

Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent, at least one year of experience working on or around heavy equipment, and a valid driver's license. They must be able to work all shifts and weather conditions, meet safety and communication requirements, and pass required examinations; a commercial driver's license and welding experience are preferred.

Benefits

• Flexible and Competitive Benefits Package
• Company Pension or Retirement Plans
• Employee Share Purchase Plan
• Annual Fitness Subsidy
• Part-Time Studies Program

Listed skills

• Preventive Maintenance · Preferred
• Safety Compliance · Preferred
• Problem solving · Preferred
• Communication · Preferred
• outdoor work · Preferred
• Teamwork · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Rail Car Inspection
• Preventive Maintenance
• Corrective Maintenance
• Mechanical Repair
• Heavy Equipment
• Welding
• Torch Cutting
• Power Tool Operation
• Braking Systems
• Structural Repairs
• Safety Compliance
• Problem-Solving
• Communication
• Reading Safety Instructions
• Outdoor Work
• Teamwork

Job areas

• Transportation
• Trades
• Engineering
• Logistics
• Security & Safety

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