Senior Project Manager – Product Development, Safety, & Compliance

Wabtec; Buffalo Grove (IL); On-site; USD 105,000 - 149,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Annual bonus

Job summary

Wabtec Corporation in Buffalo Grove, IL seeks a senior leader to drive New Product Development and own Product Safety and Compliance for the Bus Solutions division. You will collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Operations, Supply Chain, Sales, customers, and regulators to bring innovative transit solutions from concept to launch while mitigating risk.

You will mentor teams, manage scope, schedules, and resources, influence across functions without direct authority, and ensure adherence to

Qualifications

• Experience leading cross-functional teams to deliver new products from concept to launch.
• Strong ability to manage scope, schedules, budgets, risks, and customer requirements.
• Deep understanding of product safety, regulatory compliance, and risk assessment.

Responsibilities

• Lead New Product Development projects from concept through launch with effective team leadership.
• Facilitate reviews and executive updates across Engineering, Quality, Operations, and Sales.
• Drive compliance activities related to safety standards and regulatory requirements (FMVSS, ADA, NHTSA, etc.).
• Mentor teams and partner with customers, suppliers, and regulators to resolve safety/compliance issues.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Project management

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder management

Education

Master's degree or equivalent

Job description

• Full-time
• Job Family: Engineering Quality

Job Description

It’s not just about your career or job title… It’s about who you are and the impact you will make on the world. Because whether it’s for each other or our customers, we put People First. When our people come together, we Expand the Possible and continuously look for ways to improve what we create and how we do it. If you are constantly striving to grow, you’re in good company. We are revolutionizing the way the world moves for future generations, and we want someone who is ready to move with us.

Who are we?

Wabtec Corporation is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions, and value-added services for freight and transit rail as well as the mining, marine, and industrial markets. Drawing on nearly four centuries of collective experience across Wabtec, GE Transportation, and Faiveley Transport, the company has grown to become One Wabtec, with unmatched digital expertise, technological innovation, and world-class manufacturing and services, enabling the digital-rail-and-transit ecosystems. Wabtec is focused on performance that drives progress and unlocks our customers’ potential by delivering innovative and lasting transportation solutions that move and improve the world. We are lifelong learners obsessed with making things better to drive exceptional results. Wabtec has approximately 30K employees in facilities throughout the world. Visit our website to learn more!

Who will you be working with?

You will be joining our innovative Wabtec Bus Solutions division, a team dedicated to developing, selling, and servicing leading systems for the Transit Bus & Rail industries including eBus charging systems, innovative passenger door systems, access ramps, and wheelchair lifts. Our group combines technical expertise with a deep understanding of product requirements to deliver industry-leading solutions, lasting value to our customers, and cutting-edge technologies that shape the future of public transit.

How will you make a difference?

As a member of the Wabtec Bus Solutions division, you will lead new product development initiatives from concept through launch while also serving as the business' Product Safety and Compliance subject matter expert. Reporting to the Director of Engineering & PMO, and dotted line to the Director of Quality & Performance systems, you will work across Engineering, Quality, Operations, Supply Chain, Sales, customers, suppliers, legal counsel, and regulatory agencies to successfully deliver innovative products, ensure compliance with applicable safety and regulatory requirements, reduce business risk, and improve organizational capability.

What do we want to know about you?

• Master's degree(s) or equivalent advanced relevant certifications or degrees a plus
• 12+ years of progressive experience in project management & product development, compliance, & safety
• Expertise in leading cross-functional teams to successfully 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 in effectively 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 are expected to both execute projects and serve as a subject matter expert.
• A strong 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.

What will your typical day look like?

• Act as a senior advisor to leadership regarding project execution, product safety, compliance risk, customer escalations, regulatory matters, and improvements.

Project Management

• 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.

Product Compliance & Safety

• Serve as the Product Safety and Compliance subject matter expert for the business.
• 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.

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

Wabtec will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the U.S. for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen (as applicable) and fitness for duty test (as applicable).

What about the physical demands of the job?

Primarily office-based work at Buffalo Grove office

Use a computer for extended periods

Occasionally lift/move up to twenty-five pounds

Stand, walk, and navigate facilities

Occasional travel (15%) to customers’ and manufacturing sites

Our Commitment to Embrace Diversity:

Wabtec is a global company that invests not just in our products, but also our people by embracing diversity and inclusion. We care about our relationships with our employees and take pride in celebrating the variety of experiences, expertise, and backgrounds that bring us together. At Wabtec, we aspire to create a place where we all belong and where diversity is welcomed and appreciated.

To fulfill that commitment, we rely on a culture of leadership, diversity, and inclusion. We aim to employ the world’s brightest minds to help us create a limitless source of ideas and opportunities. We have created a space where everyone is given the opportunity to contribute based on their individual experiences and perspectives and recognize that these differences and diverse perspectives make us better.

We believe in hiring talented people of varied backgrounds, experiences, and styles… People like you! Wabtec Corporation is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or expression, or protected Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need for accommodation, please let us know.

Additional Information

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