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Emergency Rail Dispatch (316) 262-1700

[H1] Discover the Difference

[H2] Work with Watco

[H2] Rail
We are experts in all aspects of shipping by rail.

[H2] Transloading
Expert cargo handling at marine and rail terminals.

[H2] Logistics
We are a comprehensive third-party logistics provider.

Industrial Development

Real Estate

Design and Engineering

Construction Management

[H2] Work at Watco

View Job Opportunities

Find railcar storage, transloading, and industrial properties

[H3] Customer Tools
Look here for key forms, links to your most-used applications, pricing information, and more.
Learn More

[H3] Let's Talk

[H3] Discover the Difference
Any mode, any material, and any market.
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Emergency Rail Dispatch (316) 262-1700

[H2] Railroad Tools

Bill of Lading
Car Order Form
Car Storage Request Form
Credit Application
Dock
Fleet Management/Railcar Storage
Freight Claims
Fuel Surcharge
eBOL
Tariffs
Permitting
Track Lease Application
Track and Land Lease Application
Land and/or Building Lease Application
Customer Safety Handbook
Beginning May 1, 2026, all Watco car orders must be submitted through the new Car Order Management System in the Dock application. If you do not have access to the new system, please contact fleetmanagement@watco.com for assistance.

[H2] Terminal Tools

Credit Application
Dock
Track Lease Application
Track and Land Lease Application
Land and/or Building Lease Application

[H2] Logistics Tools

Domestic Customers
Customer Credit Application and Policy
SmartWay Transport Partnership Certificate
Standard Logistics Contract
International Customers
Customer Credit Application and Policy
IATA Air Waybill
IWLA Non-Negotiable Warehouse Receipt
Ocean Bill of Lading
Terms and Conditions
Uniform Shipment Confirmation

[H2]

Emergency Dispatch (316) 262-1700

[H1] Build Your Future

[H1] Build Your Future

[H2] Join the Watco Family

Watco is a company founded on great people – and one that continues to grow and succeed because of great people. Our team members are a critical part of our success and our biggest differentiator – they’re the reason for our strong reputation. We look out for our team members’ safety and overall well-being. We’re growing fast, and we offer a clear path for those interested in being future leaders.

View Job Openings

[H2] Our Culture
Our culture is something we hold dear and something we protect. It reflects the importance we place on customers, team members, and safety. It’s our belief that taking care of these three areas is the right way to take care of business.

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[H3] Value OurCustomers
Our company has heart and passion for serving customers and for solving any supply chain challenge.

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[H3] Value OurPeople
Watco cares deeply about our people. We focus on bringing out the best in people, supporting their goals and offering opportunities for team members to develop their skills and broaden their experiences.

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[H3] Safely ImproveEvery Day
Safety is at the center of everything Watco does. We look out for team members’ safety and overall well-being, doing everything in our power to return you home just as you arrived.

[H2] Watco’s Perks & Benefits Have You Covered
As a Watco team member, you are our top priority. We emphasize how important you are to us by providing perks and benefits that support you and your family.
401(k) Plan
Advancement Opportunities
Paid On-the-Job Training
Paid Vacation
Outstanding Culture
Comprehensive Health Benefits

Learn more

[H2] Featured Jobs

Railcar Mechanic
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Conductor
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Equipment Operator
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Transportation Coordinator
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Railroad Dispatchers
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Search All Jobs

[H2] Transitioning Service Members
Watco has a well-established and growing commitment to transitioning military.

Find out about our career opportunities and military internship programs for those making the move to a civilian team.
Learn More

[H2] Internships
When it comes to exploring what it’s like inside a company, there’s nothing like an internship. Watco internships can help put you on the path to a successful career.
Learn More

[H2] FAQs

How do I apply to work at Watco?
Our system functions well with Google Chrome, Safari, and Firefox web browsers and can be used on Computer or Mobile platforms.

Step 1: Use the Search All Careers feature to go to a listing of All Careers at Watco. If you’re a member of the military, you also can visit the Transitioning Service Members page for a listing of careers at Watco and also internships that match military experience.

Step 2: You can refine your search by making selections for career category or search by keywords such as geographic location and then using the “Search Careers” button.

Step 3: Select the title of a role that interests you. Your screen will auto-refresh to the description for the role you selected. (To return at any time to the complete list of jobs, use the “Back to search results” feature)

Step 4: To begin your application process, select the “Apply now” button. Your screen will auto-refresh to the “Sign In” page.

Step 5: Create a new profile or log in with your username and password. (If you do not remember your password, there is a “Forgot your password” option.) Your page will auto-refresh to update/create your profile in our system.

Step 6: Complete the required fields. Attaching a resume is optional. If you do not have a resume, then please complete the “Previous Employment” portion of our application process. Please note: Work history is the most important part of any application as the hiring team looks here first to see if you are qualified for the position.

Step 7: Once you’ve completed your profile, select Apply.

After your application has been submitted and you’ve received your “Thank you for applying” email, you should hear from a recruiter by phone call or email. To follow up on your application, contact the recruiting department at (620) 235-7399.

What if I’d like to be considered for multiple positions?
You will need to submit an online application for each position that interests you.

Watco posted a new job opening for a position that I applied for in the past. To be considered, do I need to re-apply?
Yes, you must submit a new application to be considered for all newly posted positions.

Can I fill out a paper application at the Watco office near me?
No, you must apply online to be considered for a Watco position. If you need assistance completing the online application, please call the recruiting line at (620) 235-7399 and leave a message or email recruiting@watco.com. We are always happy to help you with your online application.

What happens after I apply?
Watco will send a “thank you for applying” email, which will indicate that you have successfully submitted your application for the position.

How do I check on the status of my application?
If there is an initial match with your experience, a recruiter will contact you directly. You may also email recruiting@watco.com or call our recruiting line at (620) 235-7399 and leave a voicemail message. You’ll hear back from us shortly.

What is your hiring process?
One of our recruiters will review your completed application. If you are selected as a potential fit for the position, we will contact you and invite you to participate in the screening and interview stages of the process.

Depending on the position, the Watco recruitment team may conduct phone interviews followed by one or several in-person interviews before an employment offer is extended. Typically, a new hire starts working within two weeks of accepting Watco’s offer.

How long does it take to fill out an application?
On average, it takes 10-15 minutes to complete your application for the first time. Subsequent applications will take less time, as our system saves some of your application profile information.

Do I need experience to be hired?
For some positions, yes, but for others, no. For example, we have entry-level team members who receive on-the-job training to become train conductors. Please be sure to review each job description carefully to determine whether specific skills are required. And remember: Military experience counts.

What professional development opportunities are available?
Watco is committed to our team members’ professional growth. Watco team members have multiple opportunities to learn and develop professionally. Watco University, our award-winning training program, offers nearly 150 online business and industry training courses. In addition, Watco offers leadership development programs. And we have an on-the-job training internship program specifically to help transitioning members of the military. If you are seeking an exciting career with growth opportunities, Watco is for you!

Who can I contact if I don’t see my question?
If you have a question that is not listed here, including questions about hiring events, your specific job offer, or our new-hire paperwork, you may email recruiting@watco.com or call (620) 235-7399 and leave a voicemail message.

Does Watco offer internships?
Yes, and you can learn more here.

Emergency Rail Dispatch (316) 262-1700

[H2] About Us

Watco is a full-service supply chain solutions company. We provide rail, transloading, terminal and port, and logistics services. Our privately owned company, headquartered in Pittsburg, Kansas, has nearly 5,000 team members and has been recognized by Forbes and Newsweek for our outstanding culture.
Since our founding in 1983, we have grown as an owner and operator of a diverse and unmatched network of short line railroads, terminals, and ports throughout North America and Australia. Using both Watco assets and a vast network of industry connections, our logistics division is a true third-party logistics (3PL) provider, giving unbiased service to find our customers the right shipping solutions.

Learn more about the Watco Journey.
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[H2] Our Foundation Principles
Our culture reflects the importance we place on customers, team members, and safety. It’s our belief that taking care of these three areas is the right way to take care of business.

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[H3] Value Our Customers
Our company has heart and passion for serving customers and for solving any supply chain challenge.

[IMG: service1]

[H3] Value Our People
Watco cares deeply about our people. We focus on bringing out the best in people, supporting their goals and offering opportunities for team members to develop their skills and broaden their experiences.

[IMG: service1]

[H3] Safely ImproveEvery Day
Safety is at the center of everything Watco does. We look out for team members’ safety and overall well-being, doing everything in our power to return you home just as you arrived.

[H2] Safety At All Times
At Watco, nothing is more important than safety. It’s the cornerstone for everything we do.
Learn More

[H2] Delivering a Better Tomorrow
Sustainability is part of who we are and what we do every day. Watco seeks to shape a better future and is committed to being a well-governed, socially responsible, and environmentally conscious company. View our Sustainability Report and our Sustainability Report Data Supplement.

[H2] Awards and Honors
When good people do good work, sometimes others notice. Watco team members are grateful and humbled to have received recognition for our culture and for our impact in our industry, our company, and our communities. Learn more.

[H2] Meet Our Leaders
Smart, but not showy. Big hearts, not big heads. Known for going out of their way to give others credit and put others first. Meet our executive team.

[H4] Dan Smith
Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman
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Dan Smith joined Watco in 2009, leading the acquisition of Greens Port, the largest multi-tenanted industrial park on the Gulf Coast. His strategic vision and operational expertise quickly propelled him into executive leadership roles, culminating in his appointment as CEO in 2018 after serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
Under Dan’s leadership, Watco has achieved remarkable growth, with annual revenue nearing $2 billion. His focus on strategic planning and targeted acquisitions has driven performance improvements across the organization. A champion of safety and innovation, Dan played a pivotal role in establishing Watco’s Safe Performance Center, which delivers standardized, high-impact training to hundreds of operations team members each year. He also led a successful realignment of operations, sales, safety, and marketing, ensuring Watco remains agile and customer focused.
In 2026, Dan became Executive Chairman of the Watco Board of Directors, further strengthening his influence on the company’s long-term vision. Dan’s commitment to fostering a strong team culture is deeply rooted in his own experience as a professional athlete. He spent 13 years as a pitcher with five Major League Baseball organizations, bringing a competitive spirit and collaborative mindset to everything he does.

[H4] Rachael Peterson
Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer
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Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer Rachael Peterson oversees Watco operations and safety, along with the People Services and Marketing & Communications departments. Her responsibilities include making sure Watco team members are in the right position, inspired and prepared to execute the company’s business strategy, and that they have a path for leadership development. Rachael joined Watco in 2006 and has worked in various capacities since then. She is a member of multiple human resources and railroad industry organizations and serves on the board of directors for the American Association of Railroad Superintendents. Rachael earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas, and a master’s degree in industrial/organizational psychology from Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri.

[H4] Nick Coomes
Executive Vice President and Chief Solutions Officer
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As Watco’s Executive Vice President and Chief Solutions Officer, Nick Coomes ensures the company finds ways to say “yes” to customers while creating value for both them and Watco. To accomplish this, he leads the areas of customer solutions and sales, real estate and industrial development, service assurance, project design and engineering, construction management, and information technology. Nick is also responsible for initiatives that ensure Watco has the right assets in the right locations and in the right condition. In addition, he oversees the design and construction of industrial projects for Watco and customers as well as the implementation of technology solutions. Nick joined the Watco team in 2014. He received a bachelor’s degree in plastics engineering and a master’s degree in business administration from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas.

[H4] Andy Nielsen
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
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Andy Nielsen serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Watco. In this role, Andy oversees the company’s finance, treasury, capital allocation, and investor relations functions.
Andy joined the Watco team in 2015 as Vice President of Accounting and Finance and has held various financial positions in the company since that time. Prior to joining Watco, Andy was a divisional Chief Financial Officer at a global manufacturing, distribution, and technical solutions company. He began his career at KPMG, is a certified public accountant, and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from Kansas State University.

[H4] Rick Baden
Executive Vice President and Vice Chairman
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Rick Baden serves as Executive Vice President and Vice Chairman of Watco’s Board of Directors. A certified public accountant with more than 30 years of experience in accounting, corporate finance, operations, and business leadership, Rick formerly served as Chief Financial Officer for Watco. He is on the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas board of directors and serves as a member of the Pittsburg Economic Development Advisory Committee. Ingram’s business magazine, which covers Kansas and Missouri, named Rick to its 2024 and 2025 Ingram’s 250 list of influential business leaders. Before coming to Watco, Rick served as President and Chief Financial Officer of a plastics manufacturer based in Pittsburg, Kansas. Rick graduated magna cum laude from Kansas State University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting.

[H2] How Our Company Began

Seeing opportunity in the newly deregulated railroad industry, Charles R. “Dick” Webb and his wife, Kaye Lynne, leveraged everything they had and purchased a locomotive. With eight team members, they started an industrial railcar switching operation in DeRidder, Louisiana, in 1983.

Their son, Rick Webb, joined the company full time in 1984, and together they added a railcar repair shop and a short line railroad. Later, the Webb family expanded into material handling and storage, transportation project design and development, and other aspects of moving commodities and products.

Besides laying the groundwork for Watco’s integrated services, Dick fostered an entrepreneurial spirit and instilled values of humility, fairness, and respect for others that endure today. The company still proudly serves its first client in Louisiana, as well as many others.

Rick built upon his dad’s vision as Watco’s Chief Executive Officer from 1998 to 2018. He served as Executive Chairman of Watco’s Board of Directors from 2018 to 2025. His focus and commitment to helping our customers succeed was a driving force behind the innovation and tremendous growth at Watco. Today, Watco serves customers across hundreds of locations in North America and Australia. Rick continues to lend his considerable expertise and insight to the industry. He serves as a member of the board of directors for the National Industrial Transportation League.