Fabricator/ Welding Inspector
Cathcart Rail
A U.S. freight rail services provider operating coast‑to‑coast repair, short‑line, storage, cleaning, transloading and track maintenance.
Perform welding/fabrication on railcars and inspect welds per AWS/AAR standards.
23 days ago ago
Intermediate (4-7 years), Experienced (8-12 years)
Full Time
Grand Island, NE
Onsite
Company Size
800 Employees
Service Specialisms
Repair Facilities
Field Services
Contract Switching
Cleaning
Transloading
Logistics Assistance
Parts Distribution & Fabrication
Railcar Storage
Sector Specialisms
Rail Services
Contract Switching
Cleaning
Transloading
Logistics Assistance
Parts Distribution
Fabrication
Railcar Storage
Role
Description
equipment operation
blueprint interpretation
weld inspection
metal fabrication
welding techniques
inspection reporting
- Operate fabrication equipment including grinders, press break, shears, torches, and drill presses
- Assist with training and mentoring less experienced welders and fabricators
- Maintain cleanliness and organization of work area and tools
- Interpret and apply welding symbols and standards from blueprints and technical documents
- Perform visual and dimensional inspections of welds on railcar components to ensure conformance with AWS D1.1, AAR, and other applicable codes
- Fabricate, fit, and assemble metal components for railcars according to engineering drawings, blueprints, or specifications
- Collaborate with supervisors, engineers, and quality personnel to address weld quality concerns
- Conduct welder performance qualification tests and monitor welders for procedure compliance
- Ensure all work meets safety, dimensional, and quality requirements
- Use various welding techniques (MIG, TIG, Stick) and cutting tools (oxy-acetylene, plasma) to perform structural and cosmetic repairs
- Maintain inspection records and generate required reports on welding quality and conformance
- Adhere to company and industry safety practices at all times
- Work is performed in a rail repair shop and yard environment
Requirements
aws d1.1
cwi
osha
ndt
welding
blueprints
- Strong knowledge of AAR and AWS D1.1 standards
- Proficient in use of welding equipment, hand tools, and fabrication machinery
- Current Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) certification through AWS
- High school diploma or GED
- Prior experience in a railcar repair or railroad environment
- 3+ years of welding/fabrication experience in a heavy industrial, rail, or manufacturing environment
- Exposure to heat, noise, fumes, and moving equipment
- Ability to read and interpret blueprints, weld symbols, and technical specifications
- Requires standing, bending, climbing, and lifting up to 50 lbs
- OSHA 10 or 30 certification
- Familiarity with non-destructive testing (NDT) methods a plus
Benefits
Information not given or found
Training + Development
Information not given or found
Interview process
Information not given or found
Visa Sponsorship
Information not given or found
Security clearance
Information not given or found
Company
Overview
60 Locations
Nationwide Expansion
By 2020, the company expanded its footprint across 60 locations in 22 states following the acquisition of Appalachian Railcar Services.
110+ Sites
Expanded Network
After acquiring The Andersons’ railcar repair business in mid-2022, the company boosted its network to over 110 sites across 33 states.
June 2025
Majority Ownership
Tikehau Star Infra took majority ownership, supporting further expansion of the company's coast-to-coast network.
Over 100 Facilities
Nationwide Presence
Today, the company operates nationwide with a network of over 100 facilities, short-line railroads, and services like repair and transloading.
- Founded in 2015 by Thomas and Casey Cathcart, the company began with a single repair facility and grew through strategic acquisitions.
- Its financial growth is backed by infrastructure investors like Star America and Nuveen, with capital from Bank of America-led financing syndicates.
- Typical projects include freight and tank car repair, contract switching, transloading, cleaning, parts fabrication, track maintenance, and railcar storage.
- Standout facts: its evolution from a single shop to one of the largest independent railcar service platforms in under a decade.
Culture + Values
- Safety – We are dedicated to the safety and wellbeing of our team members, our environment, and the communities where we live and work.
- Quality – We are committed to delivering compliant products and services that exceed customer expectations and industry regulations.
- Honest Communication – We hold ourselves accountable for communicating internally and externally in a manner that is clear, timely and with integrity.
- Innovation – We find solutions through creative, forward thinking.
- Teamwork – We work together to leverage individual strengths to achieve our common goals.
- Accountability – We hold ourselves and each other accountable to a higher standard, taking responsibility for our words, actions, and results.
Environment + Sustainability
1,000+
employees
Nearly 1,000 roles are filled across multiple locations to support efficient service operations.
100+
locations
Services are consolidated across 100+ locations to reduce transport redundancy.
- Operates a nationwide railcar services network reducing emissions by optimizing rail logistics versus road transport.
- Supports expansion projects (e.g. Kansas City) with capital investments that improve facility efficiency.
Inclusion & Diversity
- An equal opportunity employer with policies to recruit, hire and promote based on merit regardless of gender, race, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other legally protected categories.
- Committed to fostering an inclusive culture that values each other’s perspectives and contributions.
- Highlights workforce diversity as a core strength, drawing on a wide spectrum of ideas.
- No gender-specific statistics or targets disclosed publicly.
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