Infrastructure Engineering (Management Trainee Program)

The Amtrak Management Trainee Program is an aggressive, fast paced program designed to accelerate future leaders into management professionals at Amtrak. The program gives college graduates and early career professionals an opportunity to gain a broad perspective and valuable experience in a series of rotation assignments throughout the organization. It offers assignments which allow employees to train, develop, and grow professionally while making meaningful contributions to the organization. Through the program, the trainee will have the opportunity to build solid record of accomplishments and gain a broad-based perspective of the company. The program typically ranges from 12-18 months (about 1 and a half years) in length depending upon career track and performance. The summer cohort will start on June 15, 2026.

The onboarding phase of the program includes orientation and multiple training requirements. During this phase, trainees will participate in meet and greets with executives and department leaders, as well as receive tours of several facilities, shops, and stations across Amtrak’s footprint. The first four weeks of the program will be classroom and computer-based training and on-site operational training across multiple Amtrak locations.

Once the orientation, tours, and mandatory trainings are complete, trainees will move into the observations phase of the program. During the observations phase, the trainees will get a high-level overview of each department. They will attend meet and greets with front-line employees and get an introduction to off corridor railroading. They will participate in roundtable discussions with department managers and supervisors and receive behind-the-scenes tours of stations, facilities, yards, maintenance of way facilities, and other work sites. The observations phase lasts approximately eight weeks.
 
The next phase of the program is the advanced rotation assignments. Assignments are selected for each trainee based on hired role, previous experience, and business needs. Trainees are placed one-on-one with an Amtrak manager, to gain a more detailed understanding of each position. This phase may last about eight – ten weeks depending on the trainee’s path, familiarity of the department and whether the candidate is an internal or external hire.
 
The program's final phase includes placing the trainee in an assistant manager role aligned with a manager from the position where the trainee will be a best fit. This is determined by the Program Manager based on feedback from managers during advanced rotations and business needs. This phase may last three to twelve months based on career path and individual development plan. During this final phase, training will continue to help the trainee learn all facets of the Infrastructure Maintenance Construction Services (IMCS) Department. Schedules will vary between sub-departments, but the first 3 months will be spent completing mandatory training and visiting Maintenance-of-Way facilities and Production field locations between Washington, D.C., and Boston, MA, During this time, trainees will be assigned to Supervisors and/or Foremen to observe daily maintenance and construction operations and assist with tasks as needed.
 
At the end of the program, trainees will work with their IMCS Program Manager to be placed in a position that best suits their skills and abilities and IMCS business needs. 

Essential Functions

Typical first assignments for IMCS employees may include:

• Field Engineer – Manage a team of 15-30 Amtrak agreement employees who maintain and inspect infrastructure assets. Teams typically consist of 1 to 2 agreement supervisors who assist in managing the operation. Responsibilities include technical, logistical, and administrative support to the respective Assistant Division Engineer in the Sub-Division for the efficient and cost-effective management of construction, maintenance, and inspection of IMCS infrastructure. Field Engineers are responsible for the accountability and safety of their team.
• Electrical Engineer – Systematically researches problems, analyzes failures for root causes, and designs solutions while distinguishing between routine troubleshooting and genuine system problems. Works to help troubleshoot problems and implement design changes system wide. Electrical Engineers are responsible for the accountability and safety of their team.
• Equipment Engineer – Responsible for/assists with the deployment and maintenance of roadway equipment and vehicles under direction of the Director of Maintenance of Way  Equipment. Manages the maintenance and repair activities of Production and Division Equipment repair forces and shop.  Provides guidance and acts as a liaison for truck and vehicle maintenance specifications and inventory with the Director of Equipment, GSA, and the Automotive Group. Equipment Engineers are responsible for the accountability and safety of their team. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Prior to program start date, applicant must be a college graduate with a bachelor's degree in engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial) or Construction Management from an accredited university/college, or equivalent railroad and business experience, or
• Program may include current Amtrak employees with a bachelor's degree and relevant experience in engineering or IMCS or recent military graduates with strong leadership/technical training. 
• Commitment to complete an 18-month program in IMCS with the final two phases in IMCS and on successful completion, the trainee will be placed in an IMCS permanent position.
• Ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Demonstrate leadership skills in areas or roles outside of normal job responsibilities.
• Work effectively with others in a team setting.
• Express ideas and information in a clear and concise manner.
• Willingness to travel, primarily on the Northeast Corridor.
• Demonstrate strong communications skills.
• Ability to work defined workday and various work shifts as needed (including nights and weekends).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a transportation, engineering, manufacturing, industrial or technical environment.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• Proven leadership experience and excellent oral and written communication skills.

Environmental Conditions/Physical Demands

• This program requires extensive travel. An ideal candidate must be flexible to travel to any Amtrak location nationwide.
• A candidate can be relocated to any Amtrak location. An ideal candidate must be flexible regarding location. The assignment locations may differ from the permanent location at the end of the program.
• No vacation exceptions permitted within the first 6 months of hire into the program.

The salary is $72,500. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, etc. Depending on an employee’s assigned worksite or location, Amtrak may consider a geo-pay differential to be applied to the employee’s base salary. Amtrak may offer additional incentive and pay programs to recognize and reward our employees, including a short-term incentive bonus based upon factors such as individual and company performance that is commensurate with the level of the position and/or long-term incentive plan compensation. In addition to your salary, Amtrak offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes health, dental, and vision plans; health savings accounts; wellness programs; flexible spending accounts; 401K retirement plan with employer match; life insurance; short and long term disability insurance; paid time off; back-up care; adoption assistance; surrogacy assistance; reimbursement of education expenses; Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility; Railroad Retirement sickness and retirement benefits; and rail pass privileges. Learn more about our benefits offerings here.