Principal Rail Autonomy Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus (eligible)

Benefits package

Job summary

Wabtec's Integrated Solutions within Digital Intelligence seeks a Principal Application Engineer to define, architect, and validate complex railroad solutions across the portfolio. You will bridge railroad operations and software teams, translating customer requirements into robust architectures and roadmaps.

You will lead simulation, on-site validation, and regulatory compliance efforts, partnering with product teams to deliver integrated, safe, and efficient autonomous train handling

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Mathematics or Computer Science.
• 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.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Review customer requirements, RFIs, or RFPs to elicit the solution level requirements.
• Translate Train Handling Dynamics into software requirements for Autonomous Train Operation (ATO) algorithms.
• Drive engine calibration to balance fuel efficiency with speed restriction compliance across varied terrain.
• Define technical parameters for automated systems to manage in-train forces during acceleration and braking.
• Document edge-cases to develop automated safe-stop protocols and test plans.
• Lead simulation, validation, and on-site testing of train handling across operating envelopes.

Skills

Railroad experience

Systems engineering

Requirements management

Cross-functional leadership

Customer-facing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Mathematics/CS

Master's degree preferred

Tools

IBM ELM

DOORS

DOORS Next

Job description

Wabtec's Integrated Solutions within Digital Intelligence seeks a Principal Application Engineer to define, architect, and validate complex railroad solutions across the portfolio. You will bridge railroad operations and software teams, translating customer requirements into robust architectures and roadmaps.

You will lead simulation, on-site validation, and regulatory compliance efforts, partnering with product teams to deliver integrated, safe, and efficient autonomous train handling