Bridge & Building Union Electrician (Norfolk, VA 2025) 1
Date: Jul 27, 2025
Location: Norfolk, VA, US, 23507
Company: Norfolk Southern Corp.
Requisition ID : 38700
Position: Bridge and Building Railroad Electrician
Job Description
Performs electrical inspection, construction, maintenance, and repair activities on railroad infrastructure, specializing in bridges, buildings, and related facilities.
Key Responsibilities:
· Install and maintain electrical systems on moveable bridges, including navigation lights and control systems
· Service power distribution equipment, floodlight towers, and power poles
· Maintain and repair generators, air conditioning units, and fixed electrical facilities
· Work with programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and variable frequency drive systems
· Install and maintain both high and low voltage systems (up to 15kV)
· Troubleshoot electrical issues in railroad buildings and structures
· Perform regular inspections of electrical equipment and systems
Required Qualifications:
· High School Diploma/GED
· Valid Driver's License
· One of the following:
o Journeyman Electrician certification
o Licensed Journeyman Electrician
o Master Electrician certification
· Experience reading and interpreting electrical blueprints/schematics
Safety & Compliance:
· Follow all railroad safety regulations and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) requirements
· Comply with National Electrical Code and National Electrical Safety Code
· Maintain adherence to workplace electrical safety standards (NFPA-70E)
Technical Skills:
· Proficiency with electrical testing instruments
· Ability to work with power distribution systems
· Knowledge of electrical control systems and PLCs
· Experience with underground and overhead wiring
· Capability to operate bucket trucks and related equipment
Working Conditions:
· Work in varying weather conditions
· May require working at heights
· Available for emergency calls and varied shifts
· Physical demands include climbing, bending, and lifting
Job Description
Locomotive Electricians are responsible for conducting routine maintenance, repair, rebuild, inspect, and install all electrical wiring and equipment on diesel electric locomotives and their components.
Primary Responsibilities
- Ensure compliance with all railroad rules and regulations for safety, operations, and federal regulations
- Wire, maintain, repair, rebuild, inspect, and install equipment such as: Rheostats, Control Systems, Transformers, Motors & Generators, Welding Machines, Electric Lighting Fixtures, Winding Armatures, Battery Charging Systems, Magnet Coils, Switchboards & Meters, Compensators & Rotors, Electrical Collectors.
- Measure, cut, thread, bend, and assemble connections to control panels and junction boxes.
- Reading electrical prints, testing circuits, and connections, using multimeters, amp clamps, etc.
- Diagnose, repair, and replace electrical malfunctions in components including loading charging, transition problems, wheel slip, sander circuits and high and low voltage grounds.
- Perform work activities utilizing voltages up to 1200 and amperages up to 2400.
- Examine parts for wear and/or defects such as brushes contact tips, slip rings, armatures, diodes, bearings, and fuses.
- Interpret test instrument indicators.
- Interpret information from computer monitors or printouts.
- Miscellaneous activities and responsibilities as assigned by supervisor.
Job Requirements
- A Locomotive Electrician holds a safety sensitive position in which he/she must maintain alertness and concentration while at work. Safety sensitive tasks may include:
- Constantly working around heavy, moving, potentially hazardous locomotive engines.
- Frequently climbing on/off locomotives inside and outside the shop in all weather conditions.
- Operating and moving a locomotive engine (some of these movements may fall under the Hours-of-Service act).
- Work safely to prevent on the job accidents and injuries
- Wear protective equipment such as hard hat, hearing protection, or safety-toe boots
- Complete annual training and pass safety rules examinations
- Must pass all required assessments
- Must pass a background screening
- Must pass a post-offer medical examination, including a drug test
- This position is governed by a union position and membership is required
Additional Information
Minimum Qualifications
- High School Diploma/GED
- 18 years of age or older
- Valid Driver’s License
Preferred Qualifications
- Two years electrician experience.
- Completion of an electrical vocational or trade school program.
- Journeyman Electrician.
- One year experience reading blueprints or electrical schematics.
- Veterans and transitioning service members are encouraged to apply. Military roles that often transition well to this position (but not limited to): 65F, 88S, 1345, AMT, AE, 3E0X1 are encouraged to apply.
Skills and Abilities
- Verbal comprehension (understand oral and written communication).
- Communication skills (provide clear instructions/directions).
- Reasoning skills (problem solving and troubleshooting skills).
- Basic Math.
- Ability to multitask.
- Memory (recall track placement and locomotive location).
Physical Demands
- Heavy work, lifting to 50 pounds.
- Stoop/bend/kneel/crouch/crawl/balance/climb.
- Walk long distances over uneven terrain.
- Demonstrate auditory and visual acuity/tracking/inspection.
Training
Travel for paid training to McDonough, GA. Locomotive Electricians will complete 1 week of Mechanical Safety orientation and 6 weeks of craft specific training. Norfolk Southern will reimburse travel and pay for lodging as required by union agreement.
Compensation Data
Rate of Pay
- 1st 40 Working Days: (50% of Full Rate)
- Next 204 Working Days: (75% of Full Rate)
- Next 244 Working Days: (80% of Full Rate)
- After 2 Years/488 Days Working Days: $40.98 (100% of Full Rate – Journeyman)
Benefits
- Company Benefits - Eligible 1st day of second month after hire
- 80/20 plan for employee, spouse, and eligible dependents
- Union Benefits
- Medical (Managed or 85/15 Plan)
- $20K Life Insurance
- 401 (K) First Day of Employment
- After 1st year of service: Eligible for Dental / Vision
Work Conditions
Working hours will include shift work over all 3 shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Shifts are assigned/awarded by seniority. The work environment is a shop and outdoor work.
Company Overview
Since 1827, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) and its predecessor companies have safely moved the goods and materials that drive the U.S. economy. Today, it operates a customer-centric and operations-driven freight transportation network. Committed to furthering sustainability, Norfolk Southern helps its customers avoid 15 million tons of yearly carbon emissions by shipping via rail. Its dedicated team members deliver more than 7 million carloads annually, from agriculture to consumer goods, and is the largest rail shipper of auto products and metals in North America. Norfolk Southern also has the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern U.S., serving a majority of the country’s population and manufacturing base, with connections to every major container port on the Atlantic coast as well as the Gulf of Mexico and Great Lakes. Learn more by visiting www.NorfolkSouthern.com.
At Norfolk Southern, we believe in celebrating our individuality. By leveraging the unique backgrounds and viewpoints of our employees, we can create a culture of innovation, respect, and inclusion. We know that employees thrive in a workplace where differing viewpoints, ideas, and experiences are freely shared and valued. As such, we encourage all employees to contribute their distinctive skills and capabilities to our organization.
Equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Together, we power progress.
Nearest Major Market: Hampton Roads
