Senior Program Manager

Wabtec; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

Wabtec seeks a Program Manager to lead complex, cross‑functional programs from proposal through execution and support. You will collaborate with engineering, product, and manufacturing to guarantee on‑time, on‑budget delivery while communicating with customers and managing risk.

The role requires a BS/BA in engineering, software, or business management and 7–10 years of experience in systems/software project management, plus proficiency with Clarity, Primavera, Rally, and Oracle.

Qualifications

• BS/BA in engineering, software, or business management preferred.
• Knowledge of Systems/Software Project Management required.
• 7–10 years of experience managing complex, cross‑functional projects or programs.
• Experience with enterprise PM tools such as Clarity, Primavera, Rally, Oracle.
• Strong communication, stakeholder management, and decision‑making skills.
• Willingness to travel 10–15%.

Responsibilities

• Lead programs from initial contract proposal through execution and support.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Product, and Manufacturing to ensure feasibility and delivery.
• Manage cost, schedule, and performance baselines (EAC) and forecasts.
• Communicate with customers and manage risk throughout program lifecycle.
• Ensure alignment with PMO processes and disciplined program controls.

Skills

Systems/Software PM

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Communication

Leadership without authority

Travel 10-15%

Education

BS/BA in engineering, software or business management

Tools

Clarity

Primavera

Rally

Oracle

Job description

Who will you be working with?

This position with support the Train Performance and Automation P&L within Digital Intelligence. The Program Manager will be a customer facing and will be responsible for delivering projects on schedule and on budget. This will include managing the project through quality, engineering and operations. This person will be expected to understand earned value financials, responsible for communicating cost, schedule, and production deliveries to customer (internal and/or external). The position will be responsible for identifying and managing risk associated with each project. This person will also work closely with the manufacturing team to manage demand and drive parts for projects assigned, as applicable. This position would preferably be located in Melbourne, FL or Cedar Rapids, IA.

How will you make a difference?

The Program Manager is responsible for leading programs from initial contract proposal through execution and support. This role ensures programs are built on a strong foundation, delivered according to commitments, and positioned for long-term customer success. The Program Manager drives technical coordination, risk-informed planning, customer communication, and disciplined program controls while fostering predictable, high-quality execution.

What do we want to know about you?

• College BS/BA degree required, with preference given to engineering, software fields, or business management areas of study.
• Must have knowledge of Systems/Software Project Management.
• 7-10 years of experience managing complex, cross-functional projects or programs.
• Proven ability to drive clarity in requirements, schedules, and acceptance criteria.
• Experience with enterprise PM tools such as Clarity, Primavera, Rally, Oracle.
• Strong communication, stakeholder management, and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead without authority in a matrixed environment.
• 10-15% travel requirement

Key Skills & Competencies

• Organizational Awareness - Ability to navigate complex stakeholder landscapes.
• Coaching & Motivation - Lead teams through influence, development, and engagement.
• Data Accuracy / Data Governance - Ensure data used in decisions and reporting is clean, consistent, and reliable.
• Decision - Making - Make fast, informed decisions supported by facts, risk insights, and cross-functional alignment.
• Digital Adoption - Competent with enterprise tools and digital program management platforms (Clarity, Rally, Primavera, Oracle).
• Financial Acumen - Understand EAC, forecasting, cost control, and risk reserve management.
• Process & Framework Adherence - Apply standard PMO processes rigorously.
• Growth Mindset / Continuous Improvement - Seek efficiencies and drive better outcomes continuously.
• Collaboration & Influence - Work across teams to drive commitments and resolve issues.
• Data Visualization & Reporting - Convey complex information clearly to leadership and customers.

What will your typical day look like?

1. Contract Proposal (ITO) Phase
Goal: Establish a strong foundation for execution success.
Build the foundation for successful delivery by:
Driving creation of the Statement of Work and ensuring clarity in deliverables.
Partnering with Engineering & Product teams to confirm technical feasibility , resource constraints, and capabilities.
Defining clear requirements and unambiguous acceptance criteria to prevent downstream rework.
Establishing and maintaining a realistic, achievable joint master schedule .
Developing resource-loaded, deliverable-based estimates to complete using systems such as Clarity.
Serving as the owner of EAC (Estimate at Completion) , ensuring risk-loaded plans and forecasts.

2. Program Execution Phase
Goal: Deliver reliably and predictably on all program commitments.
Ensure programs deliver on commitments through disciplined execution:
Take ownership and proactively drive all aspects of program delivery.
Hold technical management resources accountable to program objectives.
Embed quality in planning to prevent rework and ensure reliable outcomes.
Manage scope and requirements aggressively through predictable change control processes.
Lead proactive customer communication , including meetings, follow-ups, and change order management.
Facilitate timely decision-making and eliminate delays.
Establish and maintain performance baselines for scope, schedule, and cost.
Conduct bi-weekly schedule status updates and forecasting .
Identify, track, and mitigate risk, maintaining an appropriate risk reserve/contingency budget .
Ensure strict alignment of program execution with project control tools (e.g., Primavera, Clarity, Rally, Oracle ).

3. Support & Lifecycle Contribution
Reinforce the principles established in proposal and execution phases to support long-term customer satisfaction.
Ensure Delivery and Support Services are positioned for continued customer value and future growth opportunities.

You may also be asked to perform other duties outside of your func