Senior Project Manager — Product Development & Safety

Wabtec Corporation; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 105,000 - 149,000; Full time

Job summary

Wabtec Corporation in Buffalo Grove, IL is seeking a seasoned Product Safety and Compliance Leader to drive new product development from concept to launch while serving as the business' safety/compliance SME. You will collaborate across Engineering, Quality, Operations, Supply Chain, Sales, regulators, and customers to ensure safety, regulatory compliance, and risk management.

The role requires 12+ years in PM, product development, and compliance, with a proven ability to influence multiple

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (ABET accredited)
• 12+ years of progressive experience in project management & product development, compliance, & safety
• Expertise in leading cross-functional teams to deliver new products from concept through production launch
• Proficiency in managing project scope, schedules, budgets, risks, customer requirements, and business priorities
• Strong understanding of product safety, regulatory compliance, risk assessment, and corrective action processes
• Extensive experience interfacing with customers, regulatory agencies, legal counsel, suppliers, certification bodies, and internal stakeholders
• Experience in influencing Engineering, Quality, Operations, Manufacturing, Sales, and Compliance functions without direct authority
• Proven ability to thrive in environments where you execute projects and serve as a subject matter expert
• A track record of driving project delivery and addressing difficult compliance, product safety, or customer issues
• Enjoy and are impactful in improving processes, building organizational capability, and mentoring others

Responsibilities

• Lead New Product Development (NPD) projects from concept through launch including effectively managing teams through scopes, project schedules, resource plans, budgets, and risk registers.
• Facilitate gate reviews, project reviews, customer reviews, and executive updates.
• Coordinate activities across Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Sales, and external partners.
• Drive resolution of project issues, resource conflicts, schedule concerns, and customer requests.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen project and product development execution.
• Lead compliance activities related to FMVSS, ADA, NHTSA, FTA, customer specifications, and other applicable regulatory requirements.
• Interface directly with customers, regulatory agencies, legal counsel, industry groups, testing organizations, and suppliers regarding product safety and compliance matters.
• Lead and/or mentor investigations and resolutions of product safety/compliance issues
• Develop and improve compliance/safety strategies, processes, and governance practices ensuring alignment with regulatory, customer, and industry changes.
• Provide mentoring, guidance, and subject matter expertise to project teams and functional stakeholders.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Project management

Product development

Regulatory compliance

Product safety

Stakeholder management

Mentoring

Education

ABET-accredited engineering degree

Job description

Wabtec Corporation in Buffalo Grove, IL is seeking a seasoned Product Safety and Compliance Leader to drive new product development from concept to launch while serving as the business' safety/compliance SME. You will collaborate across Engineering, Quality, Operations, Supply Chain, Sales, regulators, and customers to ensure safety, regulatory compliance, and risk management.

The role requires 12+ years in PM, product development, and compliance, with a proven ability to influence multiple