M

Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Operates regional public transit network

Car Inspector - Subway Car Mechanic

Full-TimeUpdated on 10/5/2026
$38.80 - $46.82/hr
Mid
Brooklyn, NY, USA
In Person
No H1B Sponsorship

About the job

Requirements
  • External candidates must have three years of full-time satisfactory journey-level mechanic experience working from drawings in troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining large heavy-duty electromechanical, electric, or electronic equipment or machinery, or in inspecting, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing multiple-unit electrical railroad cars or diesel electric locomotives.
  • Alternatively, candidates must have two years of full-time satisfactory journey-level experience as described above, plus either two years of full-time mechanic’s helper, apprentice, or trainee experience in the relevant 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 course of study in one of those fields or a closely related field; or an associate degree in applied science or higher in one of those fields or a closely related field.
  • Qualifying part-time experience is credited on a prorated basis.
  • Trade or technical schools must be approved by a State Department of Education or recognized accrediting organization. Colleges and universities must be accredited by recognized accrediting bodies, including those recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
  • Internal applicants must be permanently employed in the title of Maintainer’s Helper - Group B in the Division of Car Equipment for at least one year by the first assessment date and must not otherwise be ineligible.
  • Candidates must pass a civil service exam and be appointed from the resulting list to gain permanent status.
  • 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 are subject to a full background investigation, including employment and education history; discrepancies may lead to dismissal.
  • Candidates must satisfy the position’s medical guidelines and be able to perform the essential functions, with reasonable accommodation where appropriate.
  • Candidates must pass drug screening before appointment and are subject to random drug and alcohol testing during employment. Candidates with certain prior positive tests or refusals involving a Federal DOT-regulated employer must complete the required Substance Abuse Professional evaluation, referral, and education or treatment process.
  • Road Car Inspector appointees must hold and maintain a New York State motor vehicle driver license without disqualifying restrictions; some assignments may require a Class B Commercial Driver License.
  • Candidates must be able to understand and be understood in English to perform the duties.
  • Candidates must prove their identity and right to obtain employment in the United States before employment.
Responsibilities
  • Maintain, inspect, test, examine, lubricate, troubleshoot, repair, and adjust subway cars and subway service cars and their body, electrical, electronic, mechanical, pneumatic, truck, brake, air conditioning, heating, control, and motor equipment in car shops, terminals, yards, and on the road.
  • Maintain and repair subway car washers and shop equipment.
  • Operate and maintain lifting and carrying equipment used to place and remove subway cars and parts.
  • Keep records, prepare reports, and perform related work.
  • Work outdoors in all weather, crouch under subway cars in maintenance pits, reach into dark spaces for tactile inspections, visually inspect equipment, distinguish colors, read gauges and prints, climb in and out of maintenance pits, use hand tools, hear warnings, and carry heavy tools and equipment.
  • For Road Car Inspector duties, detect trouble on subway cars and service cars on the road and in terminals, including body and truck equipment, brake rigging, electrical and pneumatic brake equipment, and electrical and electronic control and motor equipment.
  • Make necessary road repairs to keep subway cars in service or enable them to be moved to sidings or terminals.
  • Operate a motor vehicle.
  • For Road Car Inspector duties, work outdoors in all weather, crouch under subway cars along trackways, reach into dark spaces for tactile inspections, visually inspect equipment, distinguish colors, read gauges and prints, use ladders to access trackways, work on elevated structures, operate heavy machinery and equipment, use hand tools, hear warnings, communicate verbally with crew and passengers about train troubles, and carry heavy tools and equipment.
  • Work various shifts, including nights, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
  • Complete a probationary period and, if required, formalized training during the probationary period.

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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