Systems Engineer - Advanced Rail Technology

Job Purpose

Progress Rail is seeking an experienced Product Owner/Systems Engineer III to support software development and deployment for the Advanced Rail Technology team in Fort Worth, TX. This position is responsible for ideation, specification, prioritization, implementation, and acceptance of product features in an Agile environment. The incumbent will be empowered and accountable to deliver innovative products for the rail industry market while working closely with leadership, clients, and technical teams to ensure product development aligns with business and technology outcomes.

The ideal candidate will be strategic, innovative, and creative with a solid analytic foundation.

This is a full time position working in the Progress Rail Fort Worth, TX office and reports directly to the Director of ATO Software Engineering.

Req : 11542

Work Location Options: Home based

City: Ft. Worth

State: Texas

Progress Rail stands at the intersection of legacy and innovation—driving the future of rail with a pioneering spirit. Since its founding in 1983, the company has grown to become one of the world’s largest and most trusted providers of railroad products, services, and technologies. Today, Progress Rail delivers a comprehensive portfolio of cost-effective solutions to railway customers around the globe. From the rails themselves to the EMD® locomotives that ride them, the company’s products are in operation across more than 100 countries—powering progress and connecting communities.

In 2006, Progress Rail joined Caterpillar Inc., further strengthening its ability to lead the rail industry with cutting‑edge technology, unmatched expertise, and a commitment to excellence. At Progress Rail, the team is not just building the future of rail—they are making history every day.

• System Architecture & Integration: Develop and execute system-level designs that integrate embedded software, real-time processing, cloud services, and multi-threaded components to create robust rail solutions.
• Collaborate with software engineers, hardware engineers, and network teams to ensure seamless integration of diverse system elements, such as embedded RTOS components and AWS-based cloud infrastructures.
• Requirements and Roadmap Execution: Work closely with leadership, stakeholders, and technical teams to translate business and operational requirements into clear system specifications and integrated product roadmaps.
• Participate in Agile processes, including backlog refinement, sprint planning, and release planning, to ensure iterative development and continuous system improvement.
• Technical Oversight and Validation: Define, implement, and validate integration test plans and system performance metrics to meet rigorous rail industry safety, reliability, and compliance standards.
• Oversee the end-to-end lifecycle of system integration, from ideation and specification through to acceptance and deployment, ensuring quality and adherence to technical standards.
• Stakeholder Collaboration and Reporting: Act as a technical liaison between cross-functional teams, providing regular updates on system integration progress, risks, and mitigation strategies.
• Author and manage technical documentation, including system design specifications, integration protocols, and performance reports.
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation: Identify opportunities for system performance optimization and recommend design modifications to address evolving business needs and emerging technologies.
• Support the integration of energy management systems, cab electronics for real-time diagnostics, and Positive Train Control (PTC) to enhance safety and operational efficiency in rail applications.

• Ability to work well in ambiguous situations
• Strong inter-relational abilities permitting viable and coordinated effort with developers, operations, and business

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science/engineering, software engineering, from an ABET accredited university or college.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field from…