Rail Bending Machine Technician

Shape the Rails That Move North America

At Atlantic Track & Turnout Co., our employee-owners have spent more than 60 years building the products that keep railroads, transit systems, and crane runways running safely. In Richmond, Illinois, we’re adding a Rail Bending Machine Technician to help turn precision blueprints into perfectly formed rail for turnout assemblies.

A day in this role

You arrive on 2nd shift, gear up in your PPE, and start with a careful check of the bending machine—oil leaks, sensor alignment, safety mats, all green. You stage rail from the cart to the work area, hook up the overhead or jib crane, and position the material for bending. With blueprints in hand, you mark reference points and verify that the sales or work order matches the rail’s label code. You form the rail to spec, document each step on check sheets and work orders, and move the finished pieces to the next station. Before you wrap up, you leave the area clean and safe, and brief the next shift’s Supervisor on progress and what’s queued up next.

Shift and training

• Regular schedule: Monday–Thursday, 3:00 pm–1:30 am (2nd shift)
• Training schedule: Monday–Friday, 7:00 am–3:30 pm (1st shift), then transition to 2nd shift
• On-site position in Richmond, Illinois

What you’ll handle

• Wear and maintain PPE: hard hat, steel-toe boots with metatarsal guards, safety goggles, gloves
• Perform pre-operation machine checks (oil leaks, sensors, safety mat placement)
• Stage material and move rail using overhead and jib cranes
• Verify labels against work/sales orders for accuracy
• Interpret blueprints; mark and verify bends against specifications
• Complete check sheets and work orders to record progress and quality
• Transfer formed rail to the next operation
• Keep the work area orderly and safe; communicate handoff notes to the next shift

Minimum qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent (GED, HiSET, TASC, etc.)
• 2+ years in a manufacturing and/or hardscaping environment
• Blueprint reading ability
• Read a tape measure to 1/32"
• Lift and move up to 50 lbs
• Ability to obtain internal crane and forklift certifications

Preferred qualifications

• Forklift certification
• OSHA 10 or 30
• Experience handling large metal components
• Prior metal bending experience in an industrial setting

Proficiencies that set you up for success

• Shop Math Skills
• Experience in a Manufacturing Environment
• Hardscaping
• Machine Operation
• Working with Metal
• Railroad familiarity

Tools you’ll use

• Tape measure (down to 1/32")

Benefits and ownership

We offer competitive pay, a 401(k) with company match, health/dental/vision options, life insurance, paid time off, and an employee shared ownership plan—because when you succeed, we all do.

Equal Opportunity

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Ready to apply?

If you’re energized by precision work, teamwork, and seeing tangible results on the rails, we’d love to hear from you.