You will learn everything you need to know about the work of an engine driver in our paid secondary training programme, which you can complete on a full or part-time basis. During that time, you will already be part of the SBB team and reap all the associated benefits. At the end of your training, you will take the theoretical and practical proficiency examination as set out by the Swiss Federal Office of Transport (FOT).

Full-time training.

The full-time training programme takes 15 months and is offered several times a year at various locations throughout Switzerland.

Part-time training.

In the part-time training programme, which takes around 20 months, you will have an 80% workload. During that time, you will have Mondays off and almost no weekend assignments.

As a budding engine driver, you will meet the following requirements:

• You have completed a three-year vocational apprenticeship or the Matura. Your motivation is more important to us than the industry you come from.
• This demanding job requires you to be a conscientious and reliable team player who is willing to work in shifts covering 24-hour periods.    
• You are physically and mentally resilient and able to react promptly and accurately thanks to your independent and responsible manner of working.
• You have a fluent command of the language of the training location, both spoken and written (C2 level), and also have a basic knowledge of a second Swiss national language at A1 level. This means that you can understand and use familiar, everyday expressions and very simple sentences.
• You are able to communicate in a simple manner, provided that your conversational partner speaks slowly and clearly and is willing to help you.
• You are able to use a range of digital tools and applications and willing to continually learn and develop your skills.

Interested in finding out more about a career as an engine driver? If so, come along to one of our Information events and gain a first-hand insight into the working day of an engine driver.

Click on a date below to register for an event.

• 25 February 2025, 6pm to 8pm, online – register nowLink opens in new window. (in German)
• 8 March 2025, Driver's cab tour at Rapperswil SG station – register nowLink opens in new window. (in German)

Have you already attended a fact-finding event or watched the digital recording? If so, you can apply online for a vacancy now. The application process takes an average of three months and includes psychological and medical fitness examinations.

Anyone applying to train as an engine driver must undergo a psychological examination by an approved psychologist. This will assess whether you can be declared psychologically fit for the safety-relevant activity.

As an engine driver, you will have numerous opportunities for professional development. There is also the option of changing location or making a career move to management, planning or training.

Trained engine drivers can also sit the federal professional examination (eidgenössische Berufsprüfung). This additional qualification opens up varied follow-up and professional development training opportunities.

Modern ways of working and a healthy work-life balance for our employees are important to us. That’s why, once you have completed your engine driver training, you can choose to work full or part-time according to preference.

Various part-time models are available to suit your individual needs. We can offer, for example:

• Fixed days off
• Varying days off
• Taking your part-time non-working days on a weekly basis or in blocks
• A reduction in daily working hours

Because life sometimes calls for changes, you can increase or reduce your weekly working hours as required. In a meeting with your line manager, you can agree on a change in your level of employment and choose a suitable working or part-time model. Examples include:

Varying part-time days model.

Alexandra is an engine driver and a passionate mountain biker. She works 80% so that she can regularly spend time on her bike. Because she can organise her hobby flexibly, she varies the part-time days she specifies in advance. One week it’s Tuesday, the next week it’s Thursday.

Fixed part-time days model.

Ennio is an engine driver and family man. He shares the responsibilities of childcare with his partner. That’s why he works 60% and has decided to take Mondays and Wednesdays off.

Remuneration system.

We have a fair and progressive remuneration system. We reward individual performance, take the nature of the job market into account, and create transparency. We have also been awarded the We Pay Fair label.

Your salary during and after the training.

The gross salary per month including the thirteen month’s wage depends on age, experience and location. The graphics show the salary scale for a 100% workload, excluding extra pay and allowances. 

Salary during your training.

Salary after training.

Your salary progression.

We guarantee an annual salary increase of approximately CHF 3,000. This means that, ten to eleven years after training at the latest, you will progress from the entry-level salary to the maximum salary.

Example:

If you start your engine driver training at the age of 30, you will receive a gross salary of CHF 4,865 per month during your training. After successfully completing your training, you will start on a gross salary of CHF 5,723 per month, spread over 13 monthly salaries, which corresponds to an annual gross salary of CHF 74,399.

As your professional experience increases, your salary will increase by a fixed gross sum of CHF 3,000 per year. After 11 years, you will reach the maximum gross salary of CHF 8,190 per month. This corresponds to an annual gross salary of CHF 106,474.

• Annual salary at the age of 30 during training, excluding extra pay and allowances: CHF 63,245
• Annual salary after training at the age of 30, excluding extra pay and allowances: CHF 74,399
• Annual salary at the age of 41, excluding extra pay and allowances: CHF 106,474

In addition to your basic salary, you will receive extra pay for night and Sunday work, which are not included in these amounts.

Extra pay and allowances.

• Up to CHF 500-800 for night and Sunday work, depending on the shift plan. (Hourly rate for night work: CHF 6/hourly Sunday rate: CHF 16). Up to CHF 250 per month during training.
• Flat-rate subsistence allowance: CHF 19 per day
• Child allowance: CHF 320 for the first child (CHF 205 for each additional child) and other SBB benefits.
• For night-time operations, you will also be entitled to an allowance (‘Zeitzuschlag/‘time supplement’) of 10 to 30% of the time worked during the night as compensatory rest. This means you’ll have more free time than employees who do not work nights or weekends.  

Your individual pay will be determined by applying the pay system in our collective agreement when you sign your employment contract. 

Special offers for SBB employees.

Our employees enjoy attractive discounts from companies throughout Switzerland. These include insurance policies, language courses and electronic devices.

GA Travelcard.

If your level of employment is at least 40% and you have been employed at SBB for longer than one year, you will be eligible for a 2nd class GA Travelcard. You will also benefit from discounted rail journeys abroad.

When working shifts at SBB, you will travel throughout Switzerland on weekdays, weekends and public holidays. Irregular working times are normal at SBB. However, you can enjoy empty ski slopes during the week, will never again have to run errands when the shops are at their busiest and can plan your free time more flexibly.