Senior Project Manager – Product Development, Safety, & Compliance

It’s not just about your career or job title… It’s about who you are and the impact you will make on the world. Because whether it’s for each other or our customers, we put People First. When our people come together, we Expand the Possible and continuously look for ways to improve what we create and how we do it. If you are constantly striving to grow, you’re in good company. We are revolutionizing the way the world moves for future generations, and we want someone who is ready to move with us. Who are we? Wabtec Corporation is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions, and value-added services for freight and transit rail as well as the mining, marine, and industrial markets. Drawing on nearly four centuries of collective experience across Wabtec, GE Transportation, and Faiveley Transport, the company has grown to become One Wabtec, with unmatched digital expertise, technological innovation, and world-class manufacturing and services, enabling the digital-rail-and-transit ecosystems. Wabtec is focused on performance that drives progress and unlocks our customers’ potential by delivering innovative and lasting transportation solutions that move and improve the world. We are lifelong learners obsessed with making things better to drive exceptional results. Wabtec has approximately 30K employees in facilities throughout the world. Visit our website to learn more! Who will you be working with? You will be joining our innovative Wabtec Bus Solutions division, a team dedicated to developing, selling, and servicing leading systems for the Transit Bus & Rail industries including eBus charging systems, innovative passenger door systems, access ramps, and wheelchair lifts. Our group combines technical expertise with a deep understanding of product requirements to deliver industry-leading solutions, lasting value to our customers, and cutting-edge technologies that shape the future of public transit. How will you make a difference? As a member of the Wabtec Bus Solutions division, you will lead new product development initiatives from concept through launch while also serving as the business' Product Safety and Compliance subject matter expert.  Reporting to the Director of Engineering & PMO, and dotted line to the Director of Quality & Performance systems, you will work across Engineering, Quality, Operations, Supply Chain, Sales, customers, suppliers, legal counsel, and regulatory agencies to successfully deliver innovative products, ensure compliance with applicable safety and regulatory requirements, reduce business risk, and improve organizational capability. What do we want to know about you? Bachelor’s degree in engineering (ABET accredited) Master's degree(s) or equivalent advanced relevant certifications or degrees a plus 12+ years of progressive experience in project management & product development, compliance, & safety Expertise in leading cross-functional teams to successfully deliver new products from concept through production launch. Proficiency in managing project scope, schedules, budgets, risks, customer requirements, and business priorities. Strong understanding of product safety, regulatory compliance, risk assessment, and corrective action processes. Extensive experience in effectively interfacing with customers, regulatory agencies, legal counsel, suppliers, certification bodies, and internal stakeholders. Experience in influencing Engineering, Quality, Operations, Manufacturing, Sales, and Compliance functions without direct authority. Proven ability to thrive in environments where you are expected to both execute projects and serve as a subject matter expert. A strong track record of driving project delivery and addressing difficult compliance, product safety, or customer issues. Enjoy and are impactful in improving processes, building organizational capability, and mentoring others. What will your typical day look like? Act as a senior advisor to leadership regarding project execution, product safety, compliance risk, customer escalations, regulatory matters, and improvements. Project Management Lead New Product Development (NPD) projects from concept through launch including effectively managing teams through scopes, project schedules, resource plans, budgets, and risk registers. Facilitate gate reviews, project reviews, customer reviews, and executive updates. Coordinate activities across Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Sales, and external partners.  Drive resolution of project issues, resource conflicts, schedule concerns, and customer requests. Drive continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen project and product development execution. Product Compliance & Safety Serve as the Product Safety and Compliance subject matter expert for the business. Lead compliance activities related to FMVSS, ADA, NHTSA, FTA, customer specifications, and other applicable regulatory requirements. Interface directly with customers, regulatory agencies, legal counsel, industry groups, testing organizations, and suppliers regarding product safety and compliance matters. Lead and/or mentor investigations and resolutions of product safety/compliance issues Develop and improve compliance/safety strategies, processes, and governance practices ensuring alignment with regulatory, customer, and industry changes. Provide mentoring, guidance, and subject matter expertise to project teams and functional stakeholders. You may also be asked to perform other duties outside of your function or trade, for which adequate training will be provided if necessary. 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). What about the physical demands of the job? •         Primarily office-based work at Buffalo Grove of