2026 Electrical Apprentice Signal Trainee

Requisition 39957: 2026 Electrical Apprentice Signal Trainee (Bellevue, OH) 

Norfolk Southern Electrical Signal Trainee Program (Day in the Life): https://vimeo.com/871474435/990fe84216

Primary Purpose:
Apprentice Signal Trainees will be trained to perform the duties of Signal Workers. Signal Workers are an important link between ensuring compliance to FRA regulations and customer satisfaction while achieving the safest most efficient railroad operations.

Principal Duties:

• Signal Workers are primarily responsible for performing FRA regulatory test and inspections of the signals systems and crossings.
• Install, repair, and maintain, test and inspect various equipment such as signals lights, switch machines, electrical switch locks, switch circuit controllers, as well as crossing warning devices as well as the maintenance and repair of automated classification yards.
• Install, repair, maintain, test, and inspect signal systems including Automatic Block, Traffic Control, Positive Train Control, cab signal and interlocking systems.
• Other general duties include cable locates, painting and housekeeping of signal housings & equipment; climb and troubleshoot signal structures and make electrical connections.
• Use of a wide variety of hand tools, on track high-rail equipment, and test instruments
• Perform construction duties, including digging holes and trenches to lay cables, wiring apparatus, setting foundations, installing equipment, etc.
• This role requires travel and on-call availability including weekends.

Apprentice Signal Trainee Training Program

• Successful applicants will participate in a 52-week paid apprenticeship training program that includes in-class theory and lab work with hands-on skill development in the field.
  • Week 1-3: Signal Training-1 (McDonough, GA)
  • Week 4-16: OJT Signal Construction Gang
  • Week 11-19: Signal Training-2 (McDonough, GA)
  • Weeks 20-40: OJT Signal Maintenance Training
  • Week 41-43: Signal Training-3 (McDonough, GA)
  • Weeks 44-52: Additional OJT training

• The in-class portion of the training program consists of three sessions that are three weeks long each. These sessions are in McDonough, GA and are mandatory.
• Apprentices will be required to pass a series of periodic tests relating to duties, responsibilities, and operating rules. In the circumstance that an apprentice fails any of the periodic testing, their application for employment may be rejected at that time.
• Apprentices that successfully complete the training will then be placed on the seniority district roster hired and is eligible to bid on Signalman or Signal Maintainer roles.
  • Eastern Region North (ERN)
  • Norfolk & Western (NW)
  • Southern Lines East (SLE)
  • Southern Lines West (SLW)
  • WRE (Western Region East (WRE)
  • Western Region West (WRW)

• Probation period is 90 days in which you must secure a Class A CDL.

Rate of Pay

Initial 3 weeks at the Norfolk Southern Training Center – Compensation is $1,200.00 per week. 

First Period (through day 130) – Compensation is $36.48 per hour.

Second period (next 130 days) – Compensation is $36.85 per hour.

After completion of these 275 days, new hires will receive 100%, which is $37.98 per hour.

Medical Benefits

• Company Benefits - Eligible 1st day of second month after hire (during training)
• 80/20 plan for employee, spouse, and eligible dependents
• Union Benefits (Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen - BRS) available after mark-up from Trainee status.
• Medical (Managed or 85/15 Plan)
• $20K Life Insurance
• 401 (K) First Day of Employment
• After 1st year of service: Eligible for Dental / Vision

Job Related Experience:

• Minimum Level:  1-2 years
• Preferred Level:  3-5 years

Education:

• Required: High School diploma or GED
• Preferred Level:  Technical Certification or Associate degree (AS)
• Preferred Majors: Electrical Technician, Electronics Engineering or Electrical Engineer

Licenses / Certifications:

• Required: CDL Class A License (must secure license within 111 days of hire date)

• Required:  None listed
• Preferred:  None listed

Skills and Abilities:

• Time Management
• Prioritizing Work Demands
• Communication Skills
• Multi-tasking
• Planning and Organizing
• MS Excel/Spreadsheets, MS Outlook, and MS Word/Word Processing

Career Path:
Predecessor Jobs: None

Future Jobs: Supervisor C&S

Environment: Outdoor/Field
Shift Work:  No
On-Call:  Yes
Weekend Work:  Yes
Travel Required:  Yes (75% during training; dynamic after mark-up)

Norfolk Southern Electrical Signal Trainee Program (Day in the Life): https://vimeo.com/871474435/990fe84216

BRS Seniority District and Bidding Overview video

Company Overview

Since 1827, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) and its predecessor companies have safely moved the goods and materials that drive the U.S. economy. Today, it operates a customer-centric and operations-driven freight transportation network. Committed to furthering sustainability, Norfolk Southern helps its customers avoid 15 million tons of yearly carbon emissions by shipping via rail. Its dedicated team members deliver more than 7 million carloads annually, from agriculture to consumer goods, and is the largest rail shipper of auto products and metals in North America. Norfolk Southern also has the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern U.S., serving a majority of the country’s population and manufacturing base, with connections to every major container port on the Atlantic coast as well as the Gulf of Mexico and Great Lakes. Learn more by visiting www.NorfolkSouthern.com.

At Norfolk Southern, we believe in celebrating our individuality. By leveraging the unique backgrounds and viewpoints of our employees, we can create a culture of innovation, respect, and inclusion. We know that employees thrive in a workplace where differing viewpoints, ideas, and experiences are freely shared and valued. As such, we encourage all employees to contribute their distinctive skills and capabilities to our organization.

Equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Together, we power progress.