Senior Controls Engineer

Wabtec; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 118,000 - 142,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Health and retirement benefits

Job summary

Wabtec is seeking a Senior Controls Design Engineer to lead the development of cruise control and energy management for freight locomotives. You will design control strategies, estimation methods, and performance analyses, using MATLAB/Simulink across simulation, validation, testing, and release.

You will coordinate a controls team, solve field issues, and contribute to long-term product evolution. The role requires a Bachelor’s in electrical or mechanical engineering with a controls focus, plus

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Mechanical engineering with a controls focus.
• Demonstrated proficiency in model-based control design using MATLAB/Simulink.
• Minimum 8 years engineering experience; willingness to travel up to 10%.

Responsibilities

• Lead design of train control algorithms and system functionality for freight cruise control.
• Develop, implement, validate control system solutions using MATLAB/Simulink and tools.
• Coordinate activities within a team of controls engineers and set priorities.
• Analyze field performance data, investigate issues, drive corrective actions.
• Collaborate with systems, software, and product teams on robust solutions.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship through reviews and problem solving.

Skills

Model-based control design

MATLAB/Simulink

Strong communication

Mentoring engineers

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Mechanical engineering (controls focus)

Master’s degree or advanced study in controls/robotics/dynamic systems

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

Job description

How will you make a difference?

As the Senior Controls Design Engineer, you will serve as the lead technical contributor within a controls engineering team responsible for the Trip Optimizer Energy Management/Cruise Control system for heavy haul freight locomotives. The role combines hands-on controls development with technical leadership in prioritizing and executing work across product enhancements, field support, and long-term product evolution.

What do we want to know about you?

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or other engineering discipline with a controls or dynamic systems focus
• Demonstrated proficiency in model-based control system design and development using MATLAB/Simulink
• Minimum 8 years of engineering experience
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 10% of the time

Desired Characteristics

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with feedback control systems, dynamic system modeling, or estimation techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate technical activities, establish priorities, and balance field support, product enhancements, and long-term engineering objectives.
• Experience mentoring engineers and providing technical leadership through collaboration, design reviews, and knowledge sharing.
• Experience investigating field issues, performing root-cause analysis, and implementing corrective actions.
• Experience analyzing operational, test, or field data to evaluate control system performance and identify improvement opportunities.
• Familiarity with locomotive systems, train operations, vehicle dynamics, or rail transportation systems.
• Master’s degree or advanced study in controls, robotics, autonomous systems, estimation, optimization, or dynamic system modeling.

What will your typical day look like?

• Lead the design of train control algorithms and system functionality, including control strategies, estimation methods, performance analysis, and technical specifications for freight train cruise control and train handling applications.
• Develop, implement, and validate control system solutions using MATLAB/Simulink and related engineering tools, supporting simulation, validation, testing, and release of control system functionality.
• Coordinate technical activities within a team of controls engineers, helping establish priorities, remove obstacles, and maintain steady progress across field issue resolution, new feature development, and long-term product evolution.
• Analyze field performance data, investigate reported issues, determine root causes, and drive effective corrective actions.
• Collaborate with systems, software, and product teams to deliver robust and practical solutions.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to other engineers through design reviews, collaborative problem solving, and knowledge sharing.
• Contribute to the long-term technical roadmap for train control capabilities and continuous product improvement.

What about the physical demands of the job?

• Willingness and ability to travel up to 10% of the time to the Railroad yards and field
• You can expect to lift < 10 lbs on occasion
• Ability to get on and off of a locomotive
• Handle tools, plug in cables, and operate a Portable Test Unit (PTU)
• Very rarely, but on occasion, you may be asked to work 12-hour or longer shifts, often overnight

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

#LI-AM1

Our job titles may span more than one career level. The salary rate for this role is currently $104800-149300 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.