Program Manager

About the role

As a Program Manager within Wabtec’s Digital Intelligence Signaling & Systems team, you will oversee the end-to-end delivery of complex rail signaling and systems integration programs across North America. This role focuses on the commercial, technical, and contractual performance of multi-year transportation programs, including conventional signaling, CBTC, PTC, communications, SCADA, and multi-system integration. You will lead cross-functional teams in a matrix organization, coordinating internal and external stakeholders to deliver fully integrated rail systems that meet contractual, regulatory, and safety requirements.

Responsibilities

• Program Delivery & Execution
  • Lead the full program lifecycle: bid support → execution → testing & commissioning → closeout.
  • Deliver programs on schedule, within budget, and in line with revenue, margin, and cash flow targets.
  • Ensure compliance with contract requirements, customer specifications (e.g., transit agencies, FRA/FTA processes), and Wabtec quality, safety, and governance standards.
• Systems Integration Leadership
  • Lead the delivery of integrated signaling and multi-system architectures, including CBTC/ATC/PTC, wayside and onboard systems, communications (radio, fiber, network), SCADA/OCC/dispatch systems, and traction power/OCS interfaces.
  • Ensure interface definition and control (ICDs), cross-system integration planning, and coordination across engineering disciplines and external partners.
• Commercial & Contract Management
  • Own full contract performance, including scope management, change orders (identification, pricing, negotiation), and cost, revenue, and margin performance.
  • Lead or oversee change order proposals (scope, cost, schedule, risk), customer negotiations, and claims positioning.
  • Actively manage earned value, cost vs. budget, forecasting (sales & cash), and risk-adjusted financial performance.
• Risk & Opportunity Management
  • Proactively identify and manage technical risks (integration, performance, safety), commercial risks (margin erosion, cost overruns, claims), and schedule risks (critical path, dependencies).
  • Develop and execute mitigation and recovery plans, escalating issues with clear recommendations and action plans.
• Stakeholder & Customer Leadership
  • Serve as the primary program interface to customers (transit agencies, authorities), consortium/primes (e.g., rolling stock OEMs, EPCs), and key subcontractors/suppliers.
  • Build and maintain strong, long-term customer relationships and lead executive-level program reviews and communications.
• Governance, Reporting & Reviews
  • Lead internal and external reviews, including monthly/quarterly program reviews, risk reviews, and customer progress meetings.
  • Deliver high-quality executive reporting on schedule status, cost and margin performance, risk/opportunity status, and key decisions/escalations.
  • Ensure traceability and auditability of program data and decisions.
• Team Leadership (Matrix Organization)
  • Lead cross-functional teams across engineering, project controls, procurement, finance, and field operations/commissioning.
  • Align internal and external resources to achieve program objectives and support the development of program management best practices and talent.
• Continuous Improvement
  • Drive improvements in execution processes, forecast accuracy (cost, sales, cash), and risk identification/mitigation.
  • Capture and apply lessons learned across programs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Project Management, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in Project/Program Management.
• 3+ years managing multi-year, complex regulated projects/programs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with rail signaling systems.
• Program management within a matrixed organization.
• Proficiency in program planning/management systems/tools.
• Experience with capacity planning, scheduling, budgeting, and execution.
• Contract management, cost control, and forecasting.
• Working with transit agencies or public sector clients.
• Experience in multi-partner or consortium environments.

Pay

The salary range for this role is $79,100–$112,800. The actual salary offered may be influenced by 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.

Benefits

• Health, welfare, and retirement benefits (detailed at mywabtecbenefits.com).
• Eligibility for an annual bonus, if applicable.
• Relocation assistance may be provided if eligibility requirements are met.