Summer 2025 - Overhead Catenary Engineering Intern - 90339600 - Philadelphia (Philadelphia, PA, US, 19104) - Amtrak

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As we move America’s workforce toward the future, Amtrak connects businesses and communities across the country. We employ more than 20,000 diverse, energetic professionals in a variety of career fields throughout the United States. The safety of our passengers, our employees, the public and our operating environment is our priority, and the success of our railroad is due to our employees.

Are you ready to join our team?

Our values of ‘Do the Right Thing, Excel Together and Put Customers First’ are at the heart of what matters most to us, and our Core Capabilities, ‘Building Trust, Accountability, Effective Communication, Customer Focus, and Proactive Safety & Security’ are what every employee needs to know and do to be most impactful at Amtrak. By living the Amtrak values, focusing on our capabilities, and actively embracing and fostering diverse ideas, backgrounds, and perspectives, together we will honor our past and make Amtrak a company of the future.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The purpose of this position is to attract future engineers by providing an entry point to promote careers in railway engineering – electric traction. Candidates accepted for this position will have the opportunities to apply their engineering skills in the field and to gain firsthand work experience in the various aspects of railway engineering – electric traction. The position focuses on the civil/infrastructure side of the railroad electrification system.

Amtrak operates and maintains a power network in the northeast corridor that is used to supply trains and other equipment with electricity that is referred to as traction power. Amtrak’s traction power network is analogous to a utility company in that they have transmission lines, distribution lines (overhead catenary system), generation, and control centers that oversee the power network. Amtrak is looking for an individual to fill an intern position that will be engaged in all levels of the traction power network but primarily be focused on the overhead catenary system and associated infrastructure

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Under the supervision of assigned Engineering Manager(s) the position will: 

• Gain general knowledge (structural and electrical) about railroad overhead catenary system (OCS) infrastructure along with the various aspects of traction power assets. 
• Assist in providing technical, logistical, and administrative support to ensure the successful completion of assigned project tasks within scope, schedule, and budget. 
• Assist in drafting details of electric traction railroad infrastructure components. 
• Receive instruction on the various Engineering safety standards, work procedures, and operating practices.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be actively pursuing a degree at an accredited educational institution.
• Must be actively pursuing a degree in Engineering (Civil, Structural, Construction Management, Mechanical).
• Must have at least 1 year of academic undergraduate studies completed or a sophomore status at minimum. 
• Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher. 
• Available to work a minimum of 20 hours and up to 40 hours per week between the days/hours: Monday-Friday, 8a-6p.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working in a transportation, engineering, manufacturing, industrial or technical environment. 
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and AutoCAD software.
• May have the opportunity for the candidate to work during the school semester as a part of a co-op program. 

COMMUNICATION AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS: 

Must have excellent oral and written communication skills. 

The hourly range is $17.50 per hour - $35.00 per hour. Pay is based on factors including school year, program of study, etc.  In addition, paid internships include Amtrak rail pass privileges as a part of the experience along with one (1) PTO day per academic year.

Summer 2025 internship program will run from May 19th - August 8, 2025. 

Requisition ID:163336
Posting Location(s):Pennsylvania

Work Arrangement:06-Onsite 
Job Family/Function:Engineering 
Relocation Offered:No 
Travel Requirements:0 - 5% 

You power our progress through your performance.
 

We want your work at Amtrak to be more than a job. We want your career at Amtrak to be a fulfilling experience where you find challenging work, rewarding opportunities, respect among colleagues, and attractive compensation. Amtrak maintains a culture that values high performance and recognizes individual employee contributions. 

Amtrak is committed to a safe workplace free of drugs and alcohol. All Amtrak positions requires a pre-employment background check that includes prior employment verification, a criminal history check and a pre-employment drug screen. 

Candidates who test positive for marijuana will be disqualified, regardless of any state or local statute, ordinance, regulation, or other law that legalizes or decriminalizes the use or possession of marijuana, whether for medical, recreational, or other use. Amtrak's pre-employment drug testing program is administered in accordance with DOT regulations and applicable law.  

In accordance with DOT regulations (49 CFR § 40.25), Amtrak is required to obtain prior drug and alcohol testing records for applicants/employees intending to perform safety-sensitive duties for covered Department of Transportation positions. If an applicant/employee refuses to provide written consent for Amtrak to obtain these records, the individual will not be permitted to perform safety-sensitive functions.

In accordance with federal law governing security checks of covered individuals for providers of public transportation (Title 6 U.S.C. §1143), Amtrak is required to screen applicants for any permanent or interim disqualifying criminal offenses. 

Note that any education requirement listed above may be deemed satisfied if you have an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Amtrak is an EOE/Affirmative Action Minority/Female employer, and we welcome all to apply. We consider candidates regardless of race/color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions), national origin/ethnicity, age, disability (intellectual, mental and physical), veteran status, marital status, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, genetic information, citizenship or any other personal characteristics protected by law.