Locomotive Engineer Resume Examples
Passenger and freight trains wouldn’t be able to move without locomotive engineers. They drive and coordinate train travel, operate signals and switches from the rail yard and more. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 27,400 (or 35%) of the 77,700 employed railroad workers in 2019 were locomotive engineers, which speaks to their massive importance to the railroad industry.
Our locomotive engineer resume example, crafted by our team of certified resume writers, can guide you toward creating your own impressive resume that’s engineered specifically for this role. Below, learn how our experts can help you craft a job-winning resume.
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What is a Locomotive Engineer?
Primarily, a locomotive engineer drives passenger and freight trains along railways. If they work on particularly long routes, they may find themselves away from home for extended lengths of time. According to the BLS, the most desirable of these shifts are typically assigned to locomotive engineers according to their levels of experience or seniority.
Locomotive engineers check for obstacles on the tracks and operate a variety of complex controls like throttles and air brakes. They also speak with dispatchers over the radio to learn about delays and schedule changes.
What Makes This a Great
Locomotive Engineer Resume Example?
A well-written resume significantly increases your chances of landing an interview. Our certified resume writers write each of our examples to guide job seekers on how to craft a resume designed to impress recruiters.
Here are three of the ways our locomotive engineer resume example can help you write your own:
- Professional-level content: Our locomotive engineer resume example was written by certified resume writers to include the keywords recruiters look for. You can borrow terms like “system analysis” and “traffic control” from the example above, or customize our Resume Builder’s pre-written content for even more expert guidance.
- Resume formatting help: Your resume’s format should be selected based on your level of work experience. The example above, for instance, uses a combination format to supplement the candidate’s moderate amount of experience with an expanded skills section. Once they gain more experience, a chronological resume may be a more strategic choice.
- Picking the ideal resume template: Our examples can help you choose the right resume template that’s based on the industry you want to work in. For a locomotive engineer who might work in a more straight-laced office environment, one of our traditional or modern templates may be a solid choice.
3 Locomotive Engineer Professional Summary Examples
Since it will likely be the first thing a hiring manager reads, your professional summary is a crucial part of your resume. Our locomotive engineer resume example can help you write this section, and our Resume Builder can offer even more text suggestions based on your experience.
Below are three professional summary sections you might consider:
- FRA-certified locomotive engineer with eight years experience training new engineers and signal operators. Safely maneuvered passenger and freight trains while expanding knowledge of local road crossings, track curvature, tunnel length and railway terrain. Skilled at hiring and referring contractors when necessary.
- Dedicated locomotive engineer with a decade of experience leading railway redesign projects. Upgraded signaling systems for 65 miles of New Mexico Rail Runner Express route; addressing top-level design concerns during construction phase. Skilled performing routine, preventative maintenance and inspections for older locomotives.
- NORAC-certified locomotive engineer with a decade of experience. Led five-engineer committee to approve development of safety systems for interstate freight and passenger trains. Adept at preparing technical documents and activity reports while managing multiple projects.
3 Locomotive Engineer Work Experience Examples
Your resume’s work experience section should also include mention of specific career achievements. Our Resume Builder’s easily customizable, pre-written content makes it easy to add quantifiable achievements that would grab a recruiter’s interest.
Below are examples from three work experience sections you might find on a locomotive engineer’s resume:
- Trained and provided comprehensive technical guidance to 25 junior staff regarding proper railway safety.
- Undertook over 100 freight train trips of freight trains in 2019; ensured zero damage or loss of transported goods.
- Design electrical rail plans for rail project that spanned four states, with minimum supervision.
Top Skills for Your Locomotive Engineer Resume
Our locomotive engineer resume example and Resume Builder make sure your resume shows recruiters the right skills. Supplied by our resume experts, our suggested key terms will ensure your resume strikes the right balance between relevant hard and soft skills.
Below are a handful of examples skills we might recommend:
Hard Skills
- Railway navigation
- Equipment maintenance
- Throttle and brake operation
- Physical strength
Soft Skills
- Communication
- Decision-making
- Coordination
- Time management
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Locomotive Engineer FAQs
- How to become a locomotive engineer?
- What is the work environment of a locomotive engineer?
- How long should a locomotive engineer resume be?
How to become a locomotive engineer?
The minimum educational qualification to become a locomotive engineer is to have a high school diploma, followed by two to three months of on-the-job training. This training involves working with experienced engineers and memorizing the specifics of train routes. This includes track lengths, switch locations and more features unique to each track.
What is the work environment of a locomotive engineer?
Locomotive engineers usually have a tight yet varying schedule. They generally work full-time and may have to work night shifts, weekends and on holidays. As freight and passenger trains run around the clock, they may have to be ready to work at any given time. They may be required to travel extensively depending upon the train they’re assigned to operate.
How long should a locomotive engineer resume be?
Unless an applicant has a decade or more of experience, all resumes should not exceed a page. In all cases, they should be kept as brief as possible. Yours should mention your education, skills and your future professional goals. Its work experience section should highlight your past accomplishments as a locomotive engineer, in addition to the primary duties and responsibilities held in each role.
