Lead Engineer - Electric Drives Hardware at Wabtec – Erie | Jobyssey

Who will you be working with?

You will be part of a global engineering team specializing in Drives Control and Power Electronics for locomotives and off highway vehicles products, supporting critical traction, auxiliary, and energy conversion products. The team is distributed across the United States, India (Bengaluru), and Brazil, and works closely with systems, hardware, software, validation, and manufacturing stakeholders.

The group includes senior technical experts and emerging engineers with deep experience in control software, power electronics hardware, system architecture, simulation (HIL/Opal‑RT), and component validation. The team operates in a highly collaborative manner, with frequent cross‑location technical reviews, design discussions, and problem‑solving sessions.

You will work closely with experienced engineers and technical leaders on business‑critical programs, contributing to both new product development and sustaining/obsolescence initiatives, while adhering to strong engineering, safety, and compliance standards.

How will you make a difference?

The Lead Engineer will design, develop, and validate inverter control electronics for traction and auxiliary systems used in locomotives and off‑highway vehicles. This role owns the control panel hardware from requirements through validation, working closely with firmware, software, power electronics, and systems teams to ensure reliable system performance. The position combines hands‑on hardware development with embedded software awareness to support efficient bring‑up, integration, and troubleshooting in both lab and field environments.

What will your typical day look like?

Own the design and requirements for inverter control panel electronics, including I/O, sensing, power supplies, isolation, communication, and protection for high‑power traction and auxiliary systems.
Define hardware requirements for control electronics components (MCUs/FPGAs, gate drivers, ADC/DACs, sensors, connectors) and support board‑level and system‑level bring‑up in collaboration with firmware and software teams.
Apply embedded software knowledge (C/C++) to support hardware bring‑up, integration, and rapid debugging of hardware versus software issues.
Develop and maintain basic diagnostic tools and test scripts to support lab testing, automation, and validation activities.
Plan and execute hardware verification and qualification testing, including bring‑up, bench testing, characterization, and EMC/EMI and environmental compliance.
Support system integration and troubleshooting of control hardware on locomotives and off‑highway mining equipment.
Lead failure analysis and root‑cause investigations for production and field issues, driving corrective actions and design improvements.
Perform reliability and safety analyses (e.g., FMEA, derating, thermal) and ensure appropriate diagnostics and protections are implemented.
Drive design‑for‑manufacture and design‑for‑test in collaboration with suppliers and manufacturing teams.
Create and maintain technical documentation, including requirements, designs, test results, and review materials.
Coordinate across hardware, firmware, software, systems, and test teams to ensure end‑to‑end controller performance and compliance.
Provide technical leadership on assigned projects, supporting planning, risk management, and design reviews.

What do we want to know about you?

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Electronics, or related engineering field
4+ years of experience with control hardware or power electronics (e.g., inverters, converters, motor drives)
Master’s degree or experience with industrial/transportation electronics is a plus
Ability to read schematics and work with analog and digital I/O
Hands-on experience with hardware bring-up, debugging, and lab testing
Working knowledge of embedded software fundamentals (C/C++) and HW/SW interaction
Experience supporting system integration, testing, and troubleshooting
Strong communication and collaboration skills; experience with industrial or transportation electronics is a plus

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

More information on offered benefits, which include health, welfare, and retirement, is available at mywabtecbenefits.com.

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 $71500-98100 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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