Rolling stock engineer
Also known as: rolling stock designer, traction engineer, rail vehicle engineer, rolling stocks engineer, multiple unit designer, multiple unit engineer
About this occupation
Rolling stock engineers design and oversee the manufacturing process and installation of rail vehicles, including locomotives, carriages, wagons and multiple units. They design new trains and electrical or mechanical parts, supervise modifications and resolve technical problems. They also perform routine maintenance duties to ensure that trains are in good condition and meet quality and safety standards.
A specialisation of mechanical engineer.
Essential skills and knowledge
- analyse production processes for improvement
- manufacturing processes
- perform scientific research
- approve engineering design
- engineering processes
- control compliance of railway vehicles regulations
- use technical drawing software
- adjust engineering designs
- execute feasibility study
- quality standards
- control production
- technical drawings
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Mechanical Engineers (O*NET 17-2141.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, or computer-generated reports.
- Research, design, evaluate, install, operate, or maintain mechanical products, equipment, systems or processes to meet requirements.
- Specify system components or direct modification of products to ensure conformance with engineering design, performance specifications, or environmental regulations.
- Confer with engineers or other personnel to implement operating procedures, resolve system malfunctions, or provide technical information.
- Investigate equipment failures or difficulties to diagnose faulty operation and recommend remedial actions.
- Recommend design modifications to eliminate machine or system malfunctions.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Investigative, Conventional
Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Mathematics, Science, Complex Problem Solving
US median pay: US$104,110 a year (2025), 296,810 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Technical DrawingO*NET: DesignExtremely important (4.5)
- Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyVery important (4.5)
- MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalVery important (4.2)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.1)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (3.9)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsVery important (3.6)
- PhysicsO*NET: PhysicsImportant (3.4)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementImportant (3.2)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- Electrical Engineers
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- Mechatronics Engineers
- Industrial Engineers
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
- Calibration Technologists and Technicians
- Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
- Automotive Engineers
- Fuel Cell Engineers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.