Machine Operator

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 member of the Section Gang, you will be responsible for laying, repairing, and maintaining railroad tracks for standard or narrow-gauge equipment used in mainline service, plant yards, quarries, sand and gravel pits, and mines. Duties include operating specialized machinery such as ballast cleaning and bed tamping equipment to ensure safe and efficient track conditions.

 

POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Repair and adjust track switches using appropriate tools and replacement parts
• Cut rails to specified lengths with rail saws
• Operate track-wrench machines to tighten or loosen rail joint bolts
• Drill holes in rails, tie plates, or fishplates for bolts and spikes using power drills
• Clear tracks and switch boxes of debris, ice, or snow
• Operate spike pullers to remove old spikes from ties
• Grind rail ends to achieve smooth joints using portable grinders
• Operate spike-driving machines to secure rails to ties
• Dress and reshape worn or damaged switch points or frogs with power grinders
• Operate vehicles that lay rails and tracks over designated sections for construction, repair, or maintenance

 

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• At least 21 years of age
• High school diploma or equivalency 
• Valid Driver’s license; Class A commercial driver license is preferred
• Willingness to travel extensively and work across multiple locations
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team
• Effective verbal and written communication skills to relay track conditions to team members via telephone or radio
• Experience in manual labor in outdoor environments

 

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 or regulated 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
• Social Security Number verification
• Department of Transportation Background Check 40.25 Form

 

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: 105622
• Department: Engineering
• Job Type: Full-Time
• Position Type: Union
• Location: Tupelo, Mississippi
• Country: United States
• % of Travel: 90-100%
• # of Positions: 1
• Compensation Rate: $38.60 per hour
• Job Available to: Internal & External

 

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