Transportation Management Trainee 2027

About the Role

A Transportation Management Trainee position at BNSF Railway offers recent graduates a comprehensive introduction to the rail transportation industry, focusing on operations, logistics, safety, and customer service. This role focuses on managing daily operations, enforcing safety standards, and guiding a team toward operational excellence. Candidates must demonstrate robust decision-making, advanced problem-solving abilities, and a dedication to fostering a safety-first work environment. This opportunity significantly impacts the efficiency and success of BNSF's operations, positioning it as a key role within one of North America's premier railroad companies.

This is a full-time (minimum 40hrs/wk) position in a 24x7 operations environment, subject to on-call, nights, alternating shifts, weekends, and holidays.

Training Program

Accelerate your career with our 6-month training program:

• Begins with a one-week orientation at our Fort Worth headquarters.
• Spends two non-consecutive months at our Technical Training Center in Overland Park.
• Focuses on developing you as a safety and operations leader.
• Safety leader phase: Provides knowledge of operating and safety rules, followed by on-the-job training observing train crews.
• Requires all Management Trainees to obtain their rules qualification by week 12 of the 26-week training program.
• Operations leader phase: Teaches program and leadership skills for on-the-job training at your assigned location.

Travel and Relocation is required for this program. Trainees must be flexible with their location.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading safety briefings and ensuring compliance with Federal Railroad Administration and BNSF rules.
• Conducting safety meetings.
• Investigating accidents.
• Monitoring costs.
• Ensuring compliance with regulations and company policies.
• Facilitating crew discussions on safety.
• Managing compliance with attendance policies.
• Conducting operational audits while riding trains.
• Assisting crews with personnel paperwork and vacation requests.
• Providing transportation for timely operations.
• Corresponding with customers regarding shipments.
• Planning the movement of cars, locomotives, and crews within terminals.
• Coordinating with various departments to execute the operations plan and provide efficient service.
• Implementing policies.
• Supervising employees.
• Managing daily train and switching operations.

Work Environment

• Daily work is conducted in a mixed indoor office and outdoor safety-sensitive environment.
• Working conditions can include diverse and extreme weather conditions (hot, cold, rain, snow, and sleet).
• Requires walking and performing work on uneven surfaces.
• Working around loud noises, fumes, and heavy/moving machinery.
• Personal protective equipment, a hard hat, safety glasses, and gloves are required and provided by BNSF.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Legally authorized to work in the United States and will be at least eighteen (18) years old upon hire.
• Does not require BNSF’s assistance to obtain, maintain, or extend employment authorization.
• Capable of visually distinguishing among red, blue, green, yellow and lunar colors & able to see at night.
• Able to hear and, with training, distinguish auditory signals.
• Capable of working in a 24/7 environment, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Can safely perform duties outdoors in all weather conditions or in a shop, terminal, or field environment.
• Role includes climbing ladders and navigating uneven surfaces.
• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time based on business needs.
• Able and willing to relocate anywhere on the BNSF Railway operating system (western 28 states) upon hire, for the summer, and travel to other locations as required.
• Must have reliable transportation to and from work.
• TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential) may be required.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a Bachelor's or Graduate degree in Logistics, Transportation, Supply Chain Management, Business, Communication, Technical, OR a similar degree program from an accredited university.
• Have and will maintain at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA.
• Have LESS THAN three (3) years of professional work experience/military service, EXCLUDING internships, part-time jobs, or positions held while pursuing your undergraduate and/or graduate degree.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior internship experience or less than 3 years of work experience in Supply Chain, Business, Logistics, or a related field.
• Have or have held a leadership position in a campus, community, or extracurricular organization.

Job Locations

Barstow, CA; Amarillo, TX; Belen, NM; Corwith, IL; Haslet, TX; Kansas City, KS; Logistics Park Chicago IL; Los Angeles, CA; Oklahoma City, OK; Phoenix, AZ; San Bernardino, CA. Applying to this posting places you in consideration for positions at any of the locations listed above.

Anticipated Start Date

2/1/2027, 6/14/2027, or 9/20/2027

Number of Positions

21

Salary Range

• Transportation Management Trainee hiring rate of $84,000.
• Within approximately 6 months, opportunity to promote to Supervisor of Terminal Operations at rate of $113,000.