Director of Railcar Maintenance & Repair

Director of Railcar Maintenance & Repair

Quality Rail Service, Inc.
Location: Madison, Illinois – St. Louis Metro Area
Position Type: Full-Time, Senior Leadership

Position Summary

Quality Rail Service is seeking an experienced rail-industry professional to lead its railcar maintenance and repair division in Madison, Illinois.

The Director of Railcar Maintenance & Repair reports directly to the Vice President and company ownership. This position provides overall leadership for railcar repair operations, including production, safety, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, customer relationships, estimating, billing oversight, and the continued development of the division.

The Director will lead the division manager/floor manager and the railcar repair team while serving as the primary point of contact for customers, railroads, car owners, leasing companies, and industry partners.

This is a hands-on leadership position for someone who understands both the mechanical and administrative sides of railcar repair. The successful candidate must be comfortable working in the shop, communicating with executive leadership and customers, interpreting AAR requirements, and making sound operational and financial decisions.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership for the railcar maintenance and repair division.
• Direct daily shop and field repair operations while maintaining safe, efficient production.
• Supervise and support the division manager/floor manager and railcar repair personnel.
• Establish daily priorities, schedules, manpower requirements, and production goals.
• Maintain compliance with applicable AAR, FRA, customer, and railroad requirements.
• Support and maintain the company’s AAR M-1003 quality assurance program.
• Oversee running-repair operations and applicable Running Repair Agent responsibilities.
• Interpret the AAR Field Manual, Office Manual, billing requirements, job codes, why-made codes, qualifiers, and repair limits.
• Review repair estimates, customer authorizations, billing documentation, and completed work packages.
• Communicate with railroads, car owners, leasing companies, manufacturers, and other customers concerning inspections, estimates, repairs, approvals, and billing.
• Ensure work is properly documented and supported by inspection records, photographs, measurements, test results, and employee qualifications.
• Oversee freight-car inspection, air-brake testing, welding, truck work, safety-appliance repairs, draft-system repairs, and other railcar maintenance activities within the shop’s capabilities.
• Maintain employee training, qualification, certification, and testing records.
• Assist with customer audits, AAR audits, corrective actions, internal audits, and quality reviews.
• Monitor labor utilization, material costs, turnaround times, production performance, and profitability.
• Support the development of new customers, service offerings, and repair programs.
• Coordinate switching, car movement, bad-order status, repair-track capacity, and customer priorities.
• Investigate quality, safety, production, and customer-service concerns and ensure appropriate corrective action.
• Promote a strong culture of safety, accountability, quality workmanship, and customer service.
• Provide regular operational updates and performance reporting to the Vice President and company ownership.

Preferred Qualifications

• Significant experience in freight-car maintenance, railcar repair, railroad mechanical operations, or contract railcar repair.
• Previous leadership experience as a director, general manager, superintendent, regional manager, shop manager, or similar position.
• Strong working knowledge of AAR Field Manual requirements and freight-car repair practices.
• Experience with AAR M-1003 quality assurance requirements.
• Knowledge of Railinc systems, running-repair practices, interchange billing, estimates, repair documentation, and customer authorization processes.
• Understanding of FRA safety requirements applicable to railcar repair operations.
• Experience managing production employees, frontline supervisors, quality personnel, and administrative support.
• Ability to read and interpret technical standards, drawings, repair procedures, customer instructions, and regulatory requirements.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to develop and maintain professional relationships with customers, railroads, suppliers, and employees.
• Strong organizational, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Willingness to remain directly involved in daily operations when necessary.

Particularly Valuable Experience

The following experience is highly desirable but not required in every applicant:

• Running Repair Agent operations
• AAR and Railinc billing
• Mobile repair unit management
• Freight-car air-brake testing
• Welding qualification programs
• Autorack inspection or repair
• Hopper, gondola, tank, or general freight-car repair
• Customer and AAR audit preparation
• Repair-estimate development and approval
• Starting, expanding, or improving a railcar repair operation

Compensation

Quality Rail Service offers a competitive executive-level compensation package based on experience and qualifications.

Anticipated compensation includes:

• Base salary of approximately $100k to $130k, depending on experience
• Company benefits and paid time off

Final compensation and benefits will be discussed with qualified candidates.

Work Environment

This position is based primarily at the Quality Rail Service facility in Madison, Illinois. The Director must be comfortable working in both an office and active rail-repair environment. Occasional travel, after-hours communication, or weekend support may be required based on operational and customer needs.

How to Apply

Qualified candidates should submit a resume outlining their railcar maintenance, operations, quality, billing, and leadership experience.

Please include a brief explanation of:

• The size and type of railcar operation you have managed
• Your experience with AAR requirements and M-1003 programs
• Your experience with customer estimates, approvals, and billing
• Your experience leading supervisors and railcar repair employees

Quality Rail Service, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.

Pay: $100,000.00 - $130,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person

Salary : $100,000 - $130,000