Engineer Digital Train Inspection

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Job Description

Digital Train Inspection utilizes a suite of advanced detectors, placed trackside, to observe and inspect passing trains. This technology includes Artificial Intelligence (AI) with camera-based technology, laser systems, acoustics, and other devices that observe and measure performance of critical railcar components.

Primary Purpose:

Lead analytical initiatives supporting Norfolk Southern's Digital Train Inspection network through advanced data analysis, investigation, research, technology evaluation, and process improvement. Serve as a technical resource to Mechanical Operations by identifying operational challenges, performance gaps, and improvement opportunities through the use of Digital Train Inspection technologies and operational data. Particular focus includes monitoring system health, identifying poor-performing critical components, developing analytical strategies, and driving implementation of data-driven solutions that improve safety, reliability, and operational performance. Serve as a people leader responsible for the development, guidance, and technical oversight of Digital Train Inspection analysts.

Principal Duties:

• Lead analytical initiatives supporting Digital Train Inspection and Mechanical Operations.
• Identify operational risks, performance gaps, emerging trends, and improvement opportunities using Digital Train Inspection and operational datasets.
• Identify, prioritize, and drive analytical initiatives from concept through implementation.
• Perform advanced data analysis, statistical evaluation, and investigative research to support business decisions and operational improvements.
• Develop recommendations, business cases, and implementation plans that improve safety, reliability, and operational performance.
• Convert stakeholder needs and independently identified opportunities into actionable data products, reports, dashboards, datasets, and analyses.
• Monitor detector performance, system health, and data quality while identifying and resolving underlying data integrity issues.
• Lead research, testing, validation, and implementation efforts for new technologies, analytical methods, and inspection capabilities.
• Collaborate with operations, engineering, data science, technology teams, vendors, and external stakeholders to support strategic initiatives.
• Participate in and represent Norfolk Southern in industry committees, working groups, and technology initiatives.
• Establish priorities, oversee analytical work, and ensure successful execution of initiatives that deliver measurable business value.
• Assign, coordinate, and review analytical work to ensure quality, consistency, and alignment with departmental objectives.
• Provide technical leadership, coaching, mentoring, and performance management for Digital Train Inspection analysts.
• Build collaborative relationships and influence stakeholders to achieve business objectives and drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Job Related Experience:

Minimum Level: 5+ years Preferred Level: 7-10 years

Education:

• Preferred Level: Bachelor’s Degree (BS)
• Preferred Majors: Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Data Analytics, Machine Learning. Other technical degrees may be considered with relevant work experience.

Licenses / Certifications:

Alteryx Designer Core

Technical Skills:

• Engineering and analytical problem solving
• Data querying with SQL (Teradata, Microsoft SQL Server, DB2, Databricks)
• Statistical analysis and experimental design
• Advanced data analysis and investigation
• Data reporting and visualization
• Dashboard creation (PowerBI, Tableau, Spotfire)
• Data modeling and dataset development
• MS Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook)

Preferred:

• Alteryx development
• Machine learning
• Programming (Python)
• Databricks development and querying
• Data modeling
• Mechanical Operations or field operations knowledge
• Reliability engineering and root cause analysis methods

Skills and Abilities:

• Proven ability to independently identify and solve complex business and technical problems.
• Strong critical thinking and analytical reasoning skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and drive data-driven decision making.
• Strong time management and prioritization skills across multiple initiatives.
• Careful attention to detail.
• Outcome-driven self-starter with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Demonstrated leadership, mentoring, and coaching abilities.
• Curious and persistent in pursuing effective solutions and continuous improvement.

Company Overview

Since 1827, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) and its predecessor companies have safely moved the goods and materials that drive the U.S. economy. Today, it operates a customer-centric and operations-driven freight transportation network. Committed to furthering sustainability, Norfolk Southern helps its customers avoid 15 million tons of yearly carbon emissions by shipping via rail. Its dedicated team members deliver more than 7 million carloads annually, from agriculture to consumer goods, and is the largest rail shipper of auto products and metals in North America. Norfolk Southern also has the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern U.S., serving a majority of the country’s population and manufacturing base, with connections to every major container port on the Atlantic coast as well as the Gulf of Mexico and Great Lakes. Learn more by visiting www.NorfolkSouthern.com.

At Norfolk Southern, we believe in celebrating our individuality. By leveraging the unique backgrounds and viewpoints of our employees, we can create a culture of innovation, respect, and inclusion. We know that employees thrive in a workplace where differing viewpoints, ideas, and experiences are freely shared and valued. As such, we encourage all employees to contribute their distinctive skills and capabilities to our organization.

Equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Together, we power progress.