Quality and Design Engineer- Brainerd, MN

The BNSF Railway Engineering Department is responsible for designing, constructing, and maintaining the infrastructure of our extensive rail network. Within our Engineering Department, our Roadway Equipment Remanufacturing Team based in Brainerd, MN leads the industry in the remanufacturing of equipment used for track maintenance. This position will interact with the leadership team and 100 employees of our remanufacturing facility to understand challenges, failure mechanisms, and implement engineering solutions to enhance the reliability of the roadway equipment used to maintain BNSF Railway’s infrastructure.  This crucial role involves applying advanced engineering principles to address complex challenges, ensuring the safety and efficiency of our operations. Join our team and play a key role in shaping the future of freight transportation and make a significant contribution to one of the top railroads in North America.

Sponsorship is available to applicants pursuing their Professional Engineering (PE) designation, including supervised time working under the direction of a licensed mechanical engineer.

This is a full-time position based in Brainerd, MN. 

Travel is required approximately 20%.

This position reports to the Shop Manager of Roadway Equipment

Key responsibilities may include: 

Design and implement product improvements for Roadway Equipment Machinery of various types. Work with our team of machinists, welders, mechanics, etc. to understand failure points and implement product improvements.   

Identify and address technical challenges related to remanufacturing roadway equipment. Design engineering-based solutions for the roadway equipment machinist team to build and implement. Test physical prototypes of engineering solutions designed and manufactured onsite with our in-house CNC machine shop and fabricators.

Use of CAD and CAM software (e.g., SolidWorks) for modeling, design and manufacture.

Establish and maintain CAD Standards/PDM system for project documentation, flow and file management.

Investigate component failures; work with in-house Technical Research and Design Team to determine failure mechanisms and develop solutions.

Maintain machinery documentation including Mechanical, Electrical, Hydraulic, and Pneumatic prints.

Stay up to date with the latest trends and advancements in Roadway Equipment (e.g. participation in AREMA Committee 27).

Daily work is conducted in an indoor/outdoor safety sensitive environment where the working conditions can include diverse and extreme weather conditions (hot, cold, rain, snow, and sleet), walking and performing work on uneven surfaces, working around loud noises, fumes, and heavy/moving machinery.

Relocation assistance may be offered based on business needs

The duties and responsibilities in this posting are representative categories to be used in deciding whether to apply for this position. This is not an exhaustive list of the position’s duties.   

At BNSF Railway, we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, showcasing their skills, experiences and development. We provide resources and tools to help you reach your full potential, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.

Basic Qualifications: 

• BNSF FLS Certification is required for BNSF employees
• Minimum of 3-5 years’ mechanical design experience
• Minimum 2-3 years’ experience with SolidWorks CAD design
• Experience in Hydraulic, Pneumatic, and Electrical Schematics
• Must be able to travel periodically, coordinate with vendors, and be comfortable working in a shop environment.

Preferred Qualification:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical or other engineering-related field.
• Experience with mobile machinery, heavy industry equipment, or machining
• 3-5 years of experience in Hydraulic, Pneumatic, and Electrical Schematics
• SolidWorks Certification