Senior Product Line Manager

Wabtec•Cedar Rapids, IA

1d•$120,600 - $171,800

About The Position

Who will you be working with? Wabtec’s Train Performance and Automation (TP&A) team is dedicated to de-risking and accelerating the commercialization of transformative technologies in the rail and transportation industry. The team plays a critical role in bringing next-generation products to market, including autonomous rail systems, intelligent controls, and AI-driven platforms. You’ll work closely with engineering, operations, and commercial teams to deliver innovative solutions that support freight and passenger rail systems. How will you make a difference? As a Product Manager for the Positive Train Control (PTC) product line, you will contribute to the strategy, development, and early-stage commercialization of innovative solutions from the TP&A team. You will own the product lifecycle from concept to deployment, working closely with engineering, business development, sales, marketing and customer teams to drive adoption and scale. This role requires a strong blend of technical fluency, market insight, financial acumen and execution capability. What will your typical day look like? Define and evolve the product vision and roadmap for innovative technologies in alignment with business goals. Prioritize features and capabilities based on customer value, technical feasibility, and business impact, translating into product requirements for engineering teams. Lead customer discovery sessions, market research, competitive analysis, and feedback loops to validate strategic direction and product-market fit. Develop and deliver compelling product narratives and technical positioning for diverse stakeholders. Build and manage relationships with strategic customers, partners, and industry influencers. Drive Commercial Readiness Level (CRL) and Technical Readiness Level (TRL) advancement through field trials, performance validation, and readiness assessments. Collaborate with sales, marketing, and legal teams to develop go-to-market strategies, pricing models, and commercial contracts. Serve as the product lead across engineering, operations, and commercial teams to ensure alignment and execution. Facilitate agile planning, sprint reviews, and product demos to drive transparency and momentum. Lead proposal development and contract negotiations for pilot and commercial engagements and obtain customer acceptance of the value proposition. Manage product development lifecycle from concept to launch, then monitor key product performance indicators post-launch; iterate as needed. Responsible for meeting orders, sales, and margin numbers for the product line.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
Minimum of 7 years’ proven experience in product management, preferably in transportation, automation, logistics, or industrial technology.
Proven track record of launching and scaling complex software-based products.
Strong analytical, communication, stakeholder management, and technical storytelling.
Deep understanding of rail transportation systems, integrated product/systems development, automation and application of Artificial Intelligence(preferred).
Experience with rail customer engagement, software/systems engineering, government agencies, safety engineering,
Familiarity with financial modeling, business case development, and go-to-market planning.
Required to travel to domestic and international locations, up to 25%.

Nice To Haves

MBA or advanced degree preferred.
Deep understanding of rail transportation systems, integrated product/systems development, automation and application of Artificial Intelligence(preferred).

Responsibilities

Define and evolve the product vision and roadmap for innovative technologies in alignment with business goals.
Prioritize features and capabilities based on customer value, technical feasibility, and business impact, translating into product requirements for engineering teams.
Lead customer discovery sessions, market research, competitive analysis, and feedback loops to validate strategic direction and product-market fit.
Develop and deliver compelling product narratives and technical positioning for diverse stakeholders.
Build and manage relationships with strategic customers, partners, and industry influencers.
Drive Commercial Readiness Level (CRL) and Technical Readiness Level (TRL) advancement through field trials, performance validation, and readiness assessments.
Collaborate with sales, marketing, and legal teams to develop go-to-market strategies, pricing models, and commercial contracts.
Serve as the product lead across engineering, operations, and commercial teams to ensure alignment and execution.
Facilitate agile planning, sprint reviews, and product demos to drive transparency and momentum.
Lead proposal development and contract negotiations for pilot and commercial engagements and obtain customer acceptance of the value proposition.
Manage product development lifecycle from concept to launch, then monitor key product performance indicators post-launch; iterate as needed.
Responsible for meeting orders, sales, and margin numbers for the product line.