Advanced Lead Engineer - Traction & Auxiliary Controls

Wabtec Corporation; Erie (Erie County); On-site; USD 79,000 - 113,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Annual bonus (possible)

Benefits package

Job summary

Wabtec is seeking an Advanced Lead Engineer to join the Traction & Auxiliary Controls Engineering team in the United States. You will translate system requirements into subsystem solutions and lead design and validation activities for diesel-electric, battery-electric, and hybrid locomotives.

You'll collaborate across disciplines, develop architectures, perform analyses, and contribute to next-generation propulsion technologies.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• Experience in controls engineering, systems integration, or propulsion system development.
• Knowledge of control systems, requirements management, verification and validation.
• Familiarity with MATLAB/Simulink and related engineering tools.
• Understanding of power electronics, electric machines, battery systems, and auxiliary controls.
• Strong problem solving, communication, and technical leadership skills.
• Ability to support testing activities and travel as required.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, integration, and validation of traction and auxiliary control systems for diesel-electric, battery-electric, and hybrid locomotive platforms.
• Develop subsystem requirements, control functions, and system architectures that meet customer, application, and product performance requirements.
• Integrate control system modules with propulsion batteries, inverters, converters, motors, alternators, rectifiers, diesel engines, cooling systems, compressed air systems, and related locomotive subsystems.
• Execute engineering analyses including requirements development, dynamic system analysis, failure modes analysis, design trade studies, and verification activities.
• Support product enhancements and new product introduction programs through design validation, testing, and field implementation.
• Perform testing utilizing simulation models, software verification environments, Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) systems, locomotive testing, customer acceptance testing, and in-service validation activities.
• Investigate system issues, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions to improve product performance and reliability.
• Collaborate across engineering disciplines to apply advanced controls methods and technologies to emerging customer and business needs.
• Prepare and maintain technical documentation in accordance with engineering procedures and quality standards.
• Participate in technical reviews, project reviews, and organizational initiatives while providing technical leadership and mentorship.

Skills

Controls engineering

System integration

Propulsion system development

Control systems

Requirements management

Verification & validation

MATLAB/Simulink

Power electronics

Electric machines

Battery systems

Auxiliary controls

Problem solving

Communication

Technical leadership

Testing support

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related technical field

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

Job description

Job Description

You will be part of Wabtec's Traction & Auxiliary Controls Engineering team, working closely with systems engineers, software and hardware engineers, simulation teams, program managers, and commercial stakeholders. The team develops and integrates advanced propulsion and auxiliary control solutions for diesel-electric, battery-electric, and hybrid locomotive platforms, supporting innovative technologies that drive the future of rail transportation.

How will you make a difference?

As an Advanced Lead Engineer, you will play a key role in developing and integrating traction and auxiliary control systems that optimize locomotive performance, efficiency, reliability, and sustainability. You will translate system-level requirements into subsystem solutions, lead design and validation activities, and contribute to the advancement of next-generation locomotive technologies, including battery-electric and hybrid propulsion systems.

What will your typical day look like?

• Lead the design, development, integration, and validation of traction and auxiliary control systems for diesel-electric, battery-electric, and hybrid locomotive platforms.
• Develop subsystem requirements, control functions, and system architectures that meet customer, application, and product performance requirements.
• Integrate control system modules with propulsion batteries, inverters, converters, motors, alternators, rectifiers, diesel engines, cooling systems, compressed air systems, and related locomotive subsystems.
• Execute engineering analyses including requirements development, dynamic system analysis, failure modes analysis, design trade studies, and verification activities.
• Support product enhancements and new product introduction programs through design validation, testing, and field implementation.
• Perform testing utilizing simulation models, software verification environments, Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) systems, locomotive testing, customer acceptance testing, and in-service validation activities.
• Investigate system issues, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions to improve product performance and reliability.
• Collaborate across engineering disciplines to apply advanced controls methods and technologies to emerging customer and business needs.
• Prepare and maintain technical documentation in accordance with engineering procedures and quality standards.
• Participate in technical reviews, project reviews, and organizational initiatives while providing technical leadership and mentorship.

What do we want to know about you?

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related technical field.

• Experience in controls engineering, systems integration, or propulsion system development.

• Knowledge of control systems, requirements management, verification, and validation.

• Familiarity with MATLAB/Simulink and related engineering development tools.

• Understanding of power electronics, electric machines, battery systems, and auxiliary controls.

• Strong problem-solving, communication, and technical leadership skills.

• Ability to support testing activities and travel as required.

What about the physical demands of the job?

• Ability to work in office, laboratory, manufacturing, and locomotive test environments.
• Ability to perform occasional field testing activities and travel to customer or testing locations.
• Ability to safely access locomotives and testing equipment while following applicable safety procedures.

You may also be asked to perform other duties outside of your function or trade, for which adequate training will be provided if necessary.

More information on offered benefits, which include health, welfare, and retirement, is available at mywabtecbenefits.com.

Relocation assistance may be provided if eligibility requirements are met.

Wabtec will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the U.S. for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen (as applicable) and fitness for duty test (as applicable).

Additional Information

Our job titles may span more than one career level. The salary rate for this role is currently $79300-113000 The actual salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors, such as: training, transferable skills, work experience, education, business needs, market demands and work location. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. More information on offered benefits, which include health, welfare, and retirement, are available at mywabtecbenefits.com. Other benefit offerings for this role may include annual bonus, if eligible.

What could you accomplish in a place that puts People First?

At Wabtec, it's not just about a job - it's about the impact you make. When our people come together, we're Expanding the Possible by continuously improving what we do and how we do it - for our clients and each other.

If you're ready to revolutionize how the world moves for future generations, Wabtec is the place for you.

Who are we?

Wabtec is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions, and value-added services for the freight and transit rail sectors. Drawing on more than 150 years of experience, we are leading the way in safety, efficiency, reliability, innovation, and productivity. Whether it’s freight, transit, ports, logistics, mining, industrial, or marine, our expertise, technologies, and people together – are accelerating the future of transportation. With roots that date back to George Westinghouse, Thomas Edison, and Louis Faiveley, Wabtec has always built technologies and implemented solutions for a variety of sectors that are critical to meeting the needs of customers and governments alike.

Our global team of about 30,000 employees worldwide delivers performance that moves the world forward. We're lifelong learners, obsessed with better. Learn more at www.WabtecCorp.com.

Culture powers us and the possibilities.

We believe the best ideas come from a mix of experiences and backgrounds. At Wabtec, we strive every day to create a place where everyone belongs. We're building a culture where leadership, inclusion and your unique perspective fuel progress.

We're proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome talent of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities, including race, gender, age, disability, veteran status and more.

Need accommodation? Just let us know - we've got you.