Program Manager Job Bloomington area,Illinois USA,Management

Who will you be working with?

Wabtec’s Digital Intelligence Signaling & Systems team is a recognized industry leader in the successful delivery of complex integrated system projects. These projects involve signaling, train control, communications, and back‑office solutions with a strong focus on project execution, schedule adherence, and customer satisfaction.

How will you make a difference?

As a Program Manager you are responsible for the end‑to‑end delivery of complex rail signaling and systems integration programs across North America within the Wabtec Digital Intelligence – Signaling & Systems (S&S) P&L. You will be responsible for the commercial, technical, and contractual performance of multi‑year transportation programs, including conventional signaling, CBTC, PTC, communications, SCADA, and multi‑system integration.

You will operate within a matrix organization, leading cross‑functional teams and coordinating internal and external stakeholders (customers, primes, subcontractors, and suppliers) to deliver fully integrated rail systems in compliance with contractual, regulatory, and safety requirements.

What do we want to know about you? You must have:

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Project Management, or related field
5+ years’ experience in Project/ Program Management
5+ years managing multi‑year, complex regulated projects/programs

We would love it if you had:

Rail signaling systems
Program management within a matrixed organization
Program planning/management systems/tools
Capacity planning, scheduling, budget, and execution
Contract Management
Cost control and forecasting
Working with transit agencies / public sector clients
Multi‑partner or consortium environments

What will your typical day look like?

Your key responsibilities will be:

Program Delivery & Execution
- Lead full program lifecycle: bid support → execution → testing & commissioning → closeout
- Deliver programs:
  - On schedule
  - Within budget
  - In line with revenue, margin, and cash flow targets
- Ensure compliance with:
  - Contract requirements
  - Customer specifications (e.g., transit agencies, FRA/FTA processes)
  - Wabtec quality, safety, and governance standards
Systems Integration Leadership (Critical)
- Lead delivery of integrated signaling and multi‑system architectures, including:
  - CBTC / ATC / PTC
  - Wayside and onboard systems
  - Communications (radio, fiber, network)
  - SCADA / OCC / dispatch systems
  - Traction power and OCS interfaces
- Ensure:
  - Interface definition and control (ICDs)
  - Cross‑system integration planning and execution
  - Coordination across engineering disciplines and external partners
Commercial & Contract Management
- Own full contract performance, including:
  - Scope management
  - Change Orders (identification, pricing, negotiation)
  - 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)
  - Risk‑adjusted financial performance
Risk & Opportunity Management
- Proactively identify and manage:
  - Technical risks (integration, performance, safety)
  - Commercial risks (margin erosion, cost overruns, claims)
  - Schedule risks (critical path, dependencies)
- Develop and execute mitigation and recovery plans
- Escalate 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)
  - Key subcontractors and suppliers
- Build and maintain strong, long‑term customer relationships
- Lead executive‑level program reviews and communications
Governance, Reporting & Reviews
- Lead internal and external reviews:
  - Monthly/quarterly program reviews
  - Risk reviews
  - Customer progress meetings
- Deliver high‑quality executive reporting, including:
  - Schedule status
  - Cost and margin performance
  - Risk/opportunity status
  - Key decisions and escalations
- Ensure traceability and auditability of program data and decisions
Team Leadership (Matrix Organization)
- Lead cross‑functional teams across:
  - Engineering
  - Project Controls
  - Procurement
  - Finance
  - Field operations and commissioning
- Align internal and external resources to achieve program objectives
- Support development…