M

Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Operates regional public transit network

Car Inspector - Subway Car Mechanic

Full-TimeUpdated on 10/24/2026
$38.80 - $46.82/hr
Senior
Associate's
Brooklyn, NY, USA
In PersonWork location is listed as various; New York City residency is not required.
General Maintenance & RepairEquipment Maintenance
No H1B Sponsorship

About the job

Requirements
  • Internal applicants must be permanently employed as a Maintainer's Helper - Group B in the Division of Car Equipment for at least one year and remain eligible.
  • External candidates and MTA employees outside the eligible title must have three years of full-time satisfactory journey-level mechanic experience working from drawings in troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance of large heavy-duty electromechanical, electric, or electronic equipment or machinery, or inspection, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of multiple-unit electrical railroad cars or diesel-electric locomotives.
  • Alternatively, candidates may have two years of qualifying full-time journey-level experience plus either two years of full-time mechanic's helper, apprentice, or trainee experience in the described work; graduation from a recognized trade or technical school with at least 600 hours of study in electromechanical, electrical, or electronic technology or a closely related field; graduation from a vocational high school with a major in those fields or a closely related field; or an associate degree in applied science or higher in electromechanical, electrical, or electronic technology or a closely related field.
  • Qualifying part-time experience is credited on a prorated basis.
  • Vocational, technical, and trade schools must be approved by a state Department of Education or recognized accrediting organization; colleges and universities must meet the stated accreditation requirements.
  • Candidates may be required to complete an education and experience test paper and one or more written, practical skills, or structured interview assessments.
  • Selected candidates must pass a full background investigation covering employment and education.
  • Candidates must pass drug screening for appointment and are subject to random drug and alcohol testing during employment. Candidates with a qualifying prior positive test or refusal involving a Federal DOT-regulated employer must complete the legally required Substance Abuse Professional evaluation, referral, and education or treatment process.
  • Road Car Inspector appointees must hold a valid New York State motor vehicle driver's license without disqualifying restrictions and maintain it during employment; some assignments may require a Class B Commercial Driver License.
  • Candidates must meet medical guidelines and be able to perform essential job functions, with reasonable accommodation where appropriate.
  • Candidates must understand and be understood in English to perform the duties.
  • Candidates must prove identity and the right to obtain employment in the United States before employment.
Responsibilities
  • Car Inspectors maintain, inspect, test, examine, lubricate, troubleshoot, repair, and adjust components of multiple-unit subway cars and subway service cars in shops, terminals, yards, and on the road, including car body, electrical, electronic, mechanical, pneumatic, truck, brake, air conditioning, heating, control, and motor equipment.
  • Car Inspectors maintain and repair subway car washers and shop equipment.
  • Car Inspectors operate and maintain lifting and carrying equipment used to place and remove subway cars and parts.
  • Car Inspectors keep records, prepare reports, and perform related work.
  • Road Car Inspectors detect trouble in subway cars and service cars on the road and in terminals, including car body, truck, brake, electrical, pneumatic, control, and motor equipment.
  • Road Car Inspectors make necessary repairs to keep subway cars in service or enable them to be moved to sidings or terminals.
  • Road Car Inspectors operate a motor vehicle, keep records, prepare reports, and perform related work.
  • Car Inspectors and Road Car Inspectors may work various shifts, including nights, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
  • Car Inspectors and Road Car Inspectors work outdoors in all weather, crouch under subway cars in pits or along trackways, reach into dark spaces and conduct tactile and visual inspections, distinguish colors, read gauges and prints, climb into and out of pits or use ladders to access trackways, use hand tools, hear warnings, and carry heavy tools and equipment.
  • Road Car Inspectors may work on elevated structures, operate heavy machinery and equipment, and communicate verbally with crew and passengers about train troubles on the road.

About the company

M

Metropolitan Transportation Authority

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MTA runs North America’s largest public transit network, serving about 15.3 million people across New York City, Long Island, southeastern New York State, and Connecticut through six agencies: NYC Transit, MTA Bus, LIRR, Metro-North, Bridges and Tunnels, and Construction & Development. It moves roughly 2.6 billion trips each year using subways, buses, commuter rails, bridges and tunnels, and related facilities. It differentiates itself by operating multiple transit modes under one umbrella, providing integrated services across districts and modes with extensive infrastructure. Its goal is to provide safe, clean, efficient public transportation that serves as the region’s lifeline and mobility backbone while supporting staff with solid benefits.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

New York City, New York

Founded

1834

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • March 3, 2026, Judge Liman upheld congestion pricing, protecting a growing revenue stream.
  • June 2026 fare-gate deployments target fare evasion, a $350 million annual leakage source.
  • Phase 2 will add East Harlem access by 2032, strengthening the network’s core value.

What critics are saying

  • Subway weekday on-time performance fell to 82% in first-half 2026, eroding rider trust.
  • The MTA still needs $3 billion in savings for its $68.4 billion capital plan.
  • Federal funding fights continue; another Sean Duffy-style reversal could choke Phase 2 reimbursements.

What makes Metropolitan Transportation Authority unique

  • MTA controls New York’s integrated subways, buses, bridges, and commuter rails, unmatched in U.S. scale.
  • Congestion pricing generated $562 million in 2025, creating a dedicated funding engine for capital upgrades.
  • Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 broke ground June 2026, showing rare megaproject execution capacity.

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Benefits

  • Remote Work Options
  • Flexible Work Hours

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