Senior Controls Engineer

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
• Cook up 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

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

Additional Information

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.

Who are we?

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.

What could you accomplish in a place that puts People First?

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.