Tim Liebe
Engineering Innovation with a Lifelong Passion for Rail
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Never stop learning. Continue to challenge yourself, explore new ideas and embrace change.”
For Tim Liebe, a career in rail began long before he entered the workforce. By the age of two, he was already fascinated by trains, spending hours with wooden train sets and asking his parents to stop the car whenever a train passed so he could watch it roll by. That early passion eventually became a profession when he joined Amsted Rail as a Product Development Intern in Petersburg during the summer before his senior year at Virginia Tech. After earning his degree in mechanical engineering, he returned full-time to build a career centered on innovation, advanced manufacturing and continuous improvement.
Today, Tim serves as Process Engineering Manager, leading a team that supports operations through automation and improvement initiatives across Amsted Rail’s manufacturing processes, from early ideas and design to fabrication and implementation.
Turning Ideas into Lasting Impact
Over nearly a decade with Amsted Rail, Tim has grown through a series of roles that expanded both his technical expertise and leadership experience. He contributed to the development of the Tru-Guard seal, earning two patents along the way, and later became the company’s first Additive Manufacturing Engineer, helping establish the Additive Manufacturing Hub in Petersburg. Today, he leads efforts focused on expanding manufacturing capabilities through projects, team growth and collaboration with research partners and universities.
Growing Through Challenge and Opportunity
Tim credits much of his professional growth to the people around him. Supportive teammates, strong leaders and opportunities to expand his leadership skills have all played an important role in his journey. He also points to his experience as a mentee in Amsted Rail’s first On Track mentorship program as especially valuable, providing guidance, feedback and encouragement that helped shape his career.
Tim believes challenges are often the best opportunities for growth and stronger problem-solving skills.
“Never stop learning. Continue to challenge yourself, explore new ideas and embrace change.”
Driven by Family, Inspired by the Future
Outside of work, Tim’s greatest motivation is his family. He is especially inspired by his two-year-old son, who already shares his father’s enthusiasm for trains and asks to play with them when Tim gets home each day.
“That’s a daily reminder of why I’m passionate about what I do.”
Looking ahead, Tim sees himself continuing to grow with the Petersburg team while helping drive engineering solutions and continuous improvement. He believes Amsted Rail’s future will be shaped by advanced products and modern manufacturing that enhances reliability, safety, and visibility across the rail industry. For anyone considering a career at Amsted Rail, Tim says it is a place where teamwork, critical thinking and innovation are truly valued.
Join a Winning Team Where Success is Always In Motion
At Amsted Rail, we take pride in our rich culture of innovation and ownership that has propelled us to the forefront of the industry. Our employees are our greatest asset, and we are committed to creating a work environment that offers everyone the chance for success, growth and happiness—on and off the job.
