Program Manager

Cedar Rapids, IA, us April 8, 2026 Full Time Smartrecruiters

Who will you be working with?

This position with lead projects within the Positive Train Control (PTC) group of the Train Performance and Automation P&L within Digital Intelligence. The Program Manager will be a customer facing and will be responsible for delivering projects on schedule and on budget. This will include managing the project through quality, engineering and operations. This person will be expected to understand earned value financials, responsible for communicating cost, schedule, and production deliveries to customer (internal and/or external). The position will be responsible for identifying and managing risk associated with each project. This person will also work closely with the manufacturing team to manage demand and drive parts for projects assigned, as applicable. This position would preferably be located in Cedar Rapids, IA.

How will you make a difference?

The Program Manager is responsible for leading programs from initial contract proposal through execution and support. This role ensures programs are built on a strong foundation, delivered according to commitments, and positioned for long‑term customer success. The Program Manager drives technical coordination, risk‑informed planning, customer communication, and disciplined program controls while fostering predictable, high‑quality execution.

    What will your typical day look like?

    This role is responsible for leading programs end‑to‑end from contract proposal through execution and lifecycle support, ensuring predictable delivery of scope, schedule, cost, and quality.

    Responsibilities include owning development of Statements of Work with clear deliverables and acceptance criteria; partnering with Engineering and Product to validate feasibility, resources, and estimates; establishing realistic, resource‑loaded schedules and forecasts; and serving as owner of Estimate at Completion (EAC) with risk‑loaded plans.

    During execution, the role drives disciplined program delivery, manages scope and change control, maintains performance baselines, leads proactive customer communication, facilitates timely decision‑making, and identifies and mitigates risk using standard project control tools.

    The role also reinforces execution rigor to support long‑term customer satisfaction and position delivery and support services for sustained value and future growth.

    The role requires strong organizational awareness to navigate complex stakeholder environments, the ability to coach and motivate teams through influence and engagement, and a commitment to data accuracy and governance to ensure reliable decision‑making and reporting.

    Success in this role depends on making timely, fact‑based decisions informed by risk and cross‑functional alignment, demonstrating financial acumen across EAC, forecasting, cost control, and risk reserves, and rigorously applying standard PMO processes.

    The ideal candidate embraces digital adoption and is proficient with enterprise program management tools, collaborates effectively across functions to drive commitments and resolve issues, continuously seeks opportunities for improvement, and clearly visualizes and communicates complex data to leadership and customers.

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

    What do we want to know about you?

    • College BS/BA degree required, with preference given to engineering, software fields, or business management areas of study.
    • Must have knowledge of Systems/Software Project Management.
    • 5–10 years of experience managing complex, cross‑functional projects or programs.
    • Proven ability to drive clarity in requirements, schedules, and acceptance criteria.
    • Experience with enterprise PM tools such as Clarity, Primavera, Rally, Oracle.
    • Strong communication, stakeholder management, and decision‑making skills.
    • Demonstrated ability to lead without authority in a matrixed environment.
    • 10-15% travel requirement

    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).

    Our job titles may span more than one career level. The salary rate for this role is currently $91100-129800 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, innovation, and productivity. Whether it’s freight, transit, ports, logistics, mining, industrial, or marine, our expertise, technologies, and people together – are accelerating the future of transportation. With roots that date back to George Westinghouse, Thomas Edison, and Louis Faiveley, Wabtec has always built technologies and implemented solutions for a variety of sectors that are critical to meeting the needs of customers and governments alike.

    Our global team of about 30,000 employees worldwide delivers performance that moves the world forward. We’re lifelong learners, obsessed with better. Learn more at www.WabtecCorp.com.

    Culture powers us and the possibilities.

    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.

    Need accommodation? Just let us know - we’ve got you.

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