Who is Watco?

Watco is a US based business established in 1983 in Pittsburg, Kansas with strong roots tied to our 'Customer First' Foundation Principles. Watco Australia operates rail services on the West and East coasts of Australia, providing container and bulk transportation solutions for customers in the grain, agriculture, livestock, rail infrastructure, minerals and steel manufacturing industries.

Watco Australia is a dynamic and growth focused organisation that is currently growing nationally. We have operations in Queensland, Western Australia, and New South Wales. Due to our continual growth, we have an opening for a Field Service Technician (Electrician) to join our expanding fleet in Warwick, Queensland.

About the Role

Our Field Service Technician will be responsible for performing scheduled and unscheduled inspections, troubleshooting, repairs, and preventive maintenance activities on various types of locomotives in accordance with OEM maintenance instructions and best practice industry standards. This includes electrical tasks such as fault diagnosis, component replacement, system testing, and minor upgrades to ensure safe and reliable operation of locomotive systems. They will need the ability to follow company guidelines and checklists while using mechanical aids, hand tools, power tools, and measuring/testing equipment. The role may also involve servicing and repairing locomotive air conditioning units, ensuring crew comfort and compliance with operational standards. This is a permanent full-time position.

Duties include:

Perform electrical maintenance and repair tasks as required for equipment and facility upkeep, including fault finding, system upgrades, and ensuring compliance with safety and operational standards.

Inspect conduct individual locomotive and full train examinations as needed.

Observe mechanical and electrical devices in operation and listens to their sounds to locate causes of trouble.

Dismantle parts of a locomotive to gain access to and remove other defective components using hoist, cranes, hand tools, power tools.

Drive and utilise Maintenance Service Vehicles (MSV) and/or Maintenance Recovery Vehicle mobile vehicles, maintain the vehicles and the equipment found on-board.

Examine components to detect defects and imperfections, inspect used parts to determine suitability for re-use, be able to accurately measure rollingstock wheels using a variety of gauges, callipers, micrometres and other measuring instruments.

Adjust functional parts of devices and control instruments.

Operate power, pneumatic operated tools.

Take oil and cooling water samples from locomotives and perform daily service inspections.

Flexibility to travel for scheduled/unscheduled maintenance to various locations throughout Queensland (if required).

What You’ll Need

Proven skills in electrical maintenance and repair.

Trade certificate as an Electrician with a current Queensland Electrical Licence.

5+ years’ electrical and/or auto electrical experience is desirable.

Experience with Heavy Diesel and EMD and/or GE locomotives is desirable.

A good basis in Heavy Diesel (HD) maintenance practice and be willing to undertake cross skilling in locomotive maintenance activities.

Possess sufficient experience or equivalent working knowledge and understanding in a mechanical background. Rail industry experience preferred but not essential.

Valid drivers ‘C’ class licence (required). Heavy rigid truck, forklift, crane dogman or rigger licences are desirable but not required.

Ability to apply basic Office of Rail Safety Regulator guidelines, company rules and procedures.

Ability to work safely, while being able to read and comprehend written safety rules, procedure and safety manuals, government regulations, maintenance instructions, memos and other work-related information.

Ability to ensure full compliance with all state agencies including but not limited to training, inspections, reporting, in accordance with all current OHS, and other safety requirements as applicable.

Ability to read electrical schematics.

Sound computer skills.

What We Can Offer

Paid Parental Leave.

Competitive salary.

Career development and growth opportunities.

Novated Leasing.

Employee Assistance Program for employees and family members.

Uniform and PPE provided.

Be a part of a close-knit and supportive team.

Our team are recognised, acknowledged, and rewarded for the amazing work they do. Apply now, to start your career with Watco Australia!

Note: You may be required to be vaccinated against certain illnesses or diseases as a precondition of employment.

Watco Australia is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to maintaining, growing and supporting our diverse and inclusive culture, by seeking and promoting diversity. We welcome and encourage applications from diverse community groups and ages including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, women, and other diversity groups.