Principal Application Engineer

Wabtec; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 139,000 - 198,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Health benefits

Job summary

Wabtec is seeking a Principal Application Engineer within the Integrated Solutions group of Digital Intelligence to translate customer requirements into architectures and roadmaps, bridging railroad operations and software teams, and leading the technical vision for rail automation solutions.

You will focus on autonomous train operations and automated yard management, driving simulation validation, on-site testing, and compliance with ABTH, GCOR/NORAC, and FRA metrics across global customer

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Mathematics or Computer Science; Master’s degree preferred.
• 15+ years of experience in railroad operations, locomotive manufacturing, or rail automation.
• Experience leading complex technical solutions in a customer-facing environment.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and systems-thinking skills.
• Proven experience with systems engineering, requirements management, and solution integration.
• Proven ability to influence and lead across cross-functional organizations.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally.
• Knowledge of railroad operations, train handling and locomotive systems (preferred).
• Familiarity with IBM ELM, DOORS, or DOORS Next (preferred).
• Technical understanding of the Digital Intelligence Product Portfolio (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Elicit and translate customer requirements into solution-level specs.
• Translate locomotive expertise into software requirements for Autonomous Train Operation (ATO) algorithms.
• Optimize driving engines and energy management systems to balance fuel efficiency with strict speed restrictions.
• Define technical parameters for automated systems to manage in-train forces during acceleration and braking.
• Document edge-case scenarios to develop automated safe-stop protocols.
• Lead the development of simulation environments to test train handling across operating envelopes.
• Lead on-site testing and ride-alongs to validate autonomous train handling performance.
• Ensure automated train handling adheres to ABTH, GCOR/NORAC, and FRA metrics.
• Communicate between locomotive engineers and software developers.
• Support architecture development aligned with customer requests and product teams.
• Provide technical leadership for resolution of cross-team issues.
• Identify technical risks and mitigation plans for new solutions.
• Collaborate with senior management on culture/speed initiatives.

Skills

Rail operations

Systems engineering

Requirements management

Cross-functional leadership

Software architecture

Autonomous train operation

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Math/CS

Master's degree preferred

Tools

IBM ELM

DOORS

DOORS Next

Job description

The Integrated Solutions organization within Digital Intelligence (DI) is responsible for ensuring Wabtec products and external systems operate together as integrated solutions that deliver customer outcomes safely, efficiently, and reliably.

The Principal Application Engineer serves as the technical leader responsible for defining, architecting, and validating complex railroad solutions across Wabtec's Digital Intelligence portfolio. This role bridges railroad operations and engineering teams, translating customer requirements, operating practices, and train handling expertise into solution architectures, system requirements, and technology roadmaps.

A key focus of this position is supporting the development of autonomous train operations and automated yard management solutions while ensuring alignment with customer needs, railroad operating practices, and regulatory requirements.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Review customer requirements, requests for information (RFI), or requests for proposal (RFP) to elicit the solution level requirements
• Translate Train Handling Dynamics: Convert locomotive engineer expertise regarding slack control, weight distribution, and train length physics into functional software requirements for Autonomous Train Operation (ATO) algorithms.
• Driving Engine Calibration: Optimize driving engines and energy management systems (e.g., automated throttle and dynamic braking) to balance fuel efficiency with precise speed restriction compliance across varied topography and train handling.
• Train Handling Requirements: Define technical parameters for automated systems to manage in-train forces (buff and draft) during acceleration, pneumatic braking, and transitions over undulating terrain to prevent derailments or broken knuckles.
• Edge-Case Handling Physics: Document physical and operational anomalies (e.g., low adhesion due to weather, stuck brakes, or unexpected track curvature) to develop automated safe-stop protocols
• Simulation and Validation: Participate and lead in the development of the simulation environment to test and validate the train handling capabilities across the operating envelope of railroads territories, train types, and configurations.
• Live Physics Validation: Participate and lead on-site testing and ride-alongs to validate that autonomous train handling software performs safely across the envelope of operations.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure automated train handling logic adheres strictly to Class I Air Brake and Train Handling (ABTH) rules, GCOR/NORAC standards, and FRA safety metrics.
• Technical Communication: Speak fluently as a translator between locomotive engineers/road foremen of engines and software developers.
• Support in developing the solution concept and architecture that aligns with the customer request, working with the constituent product teams
• Being a consultant through the individual constituent product’s concept development and reviews, estimation process and schedule/plan development
• Technical responses to RFP/RFIs through the pre-contract phase
• Partnering with the integration test engineers to drive the solution-level test plans and procedures
• Partnering with the individual constituent product teams in field testing and field monitoring of the solutions at the customer
• Providing technical leadership for all technology issue resolution that might arise across functional teams in assigned work streams
• Identify technical risks of design and implementation of new solutions and applications, and help define mitigation for the risks
• Work closely with senior management on organizational initiatives around culture and speed, embrace the initiatives to become the change agent and act as a role model for the other engineers
• Support the protection and development of Wabtec intellectual property

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Mathematics or Computer Science from an accredited college or university (Master’s Degree preferred)
• 15+ years of progressive experience within railroad operations, locomotive manufacturing, or premier rail automation vendors.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex technical solutions in a customer-facing environment.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and systems-thinking skills.
• Proven experience with systems engineering, requirements management, and solution integration.
• Proven ability to influence and lead across cross-functional organizations.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally.
• Knowledge of railroad operations, train handling and locomotive systems (preferred).
• Familiarity with tools such as IBM ELM, DOORS, or DOORS Next (preferred).
• Technical understanding of the Digital Intelligence Product Portfolio (preferred).

Additional Information

Our job titles may span more than one career level. The salary rate for this role is currently $138700-197600 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.