LOR Welding Supervisor

Overview

The Welding Supervisor (Line of Road) leads teams in inspecting, repairing, and installing track infrastructure (rail-ends, frogs, switches) using specialized welding techniques like thermite and arc welding. They ensure safety compliance, high-quality standards, and project schedules, while providing training, mentoring, and managing daily crew assignments in both shop and field environments. 

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• Safety & Compliance: Enforce strict adherence to safety rules, FRA regulations, and Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS), including regular safety meetings and hazard reporting.
• Production Management: Plan, schedule, and assign daily welding tasks, ensuring materials are available and projects are completed on time.
• Quality Control: Inspect completed welds for defects, ensuring high-quality repairs on tracks, switches, and frogs.
• Technical Guidance & Training: Mentor and train junior welders and helpers on specialized railroad welding techniques, including thermite welding and grinding.
• Equipment Maintenance: Ensure welding trucks, torches, gas mixtures, and tools are properly maintained and safe to use. 

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School diploma or GED
• Relevant work experience in similar working conditions or regulatory / safety environment
• Must be 18 years of age
• Valid driver’s license
• Demonstrate history / experience in safety compliance
• Ability to troubleshoot and problem solve

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Experience: Previous welding experience in railroad construction, heavy industry, or maintenance is required, with 3–5 years of leadership or supervisory experience preferred.
• Welding Knowledge: Deep understanding of welding processes and the ability to interpret blueprints and weld symbols.
• Physical Stamina: Ability to work in extreme weather conditions (heat, cold, rain) and lift heavy equipment.
• Leadership: Strong communication and team-building skills, with the ability to manage crews and work with engineers.
• Certification: Relevant welding certifications are often required. 

Knowledge & Skills:

• Demonstrate the ability to work autonomously, adapt rapidly to changing circumstances and situations and manage stressful situations
• Collaborative and team-oriented; motivate others to achieve set objectives and maintains positive interactions
• Excellent leadership skills; ability to manage, mentor and coach
• Result-focused; gives clear directions and prioritizes daily tasks
• Excellent verbal, writing and reading comprehension skills
• Meet established standards of quality and safety while getting the job done in a timely manner
• Understand and apply safety standards, policies and procedures, collective bargaining agreements as well as Operating Rules
• Ability to be decisive and exercise good judgment
• Knowledge of rail operations and physical infrastructure
• Microsoft Office

Working Conditions

• Schedule: Often involves long hours, on-call 24/7 availability, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Environment: Field-based, often outdoors, requiring travel to different work sites.
• Respond to unexpected or emergency situations
• Lift up to 80lbs