Systems Engineer - Locomotive Systems

Job Purpose

Responsible for design, technical review, development, testing, and production support of assigned engineering project within Progress Rail. Performs activities as they relate to new product development, order support/certification, product problem resolution. Projects may include engine components/systems, electronics design, updates of new or aftermarket orders, new product development, software development, or other engineering programs. Pursues and implements cost savings and reliability in those systems or components to enhance the company's products.

Key Job Elements:

Develops comprehensive project plans and technical systematic solutions for engineering development projects; performs testing and troubleshooting of designed components or activities.

Company subject matter specialist for all assigned components, responsible for answering questions from anyone in the organization.

• Clarify and negotiate customer requirements.Develop, release, and maintain technical specifications.

Works with other engineering groups, suppliers, purchasing, plant personnel, etc. to modernize and upgrade products and support build programs.

Responsible for providing production and ongoing mechanical expertise for specification, design, and development of assigned components/projects.

Measures project performance using appropriate project management tools and techniques.

• Work in a broad cross functional environment interfacing and negotiating with the commercial parts of the organization, project management, the multi-disciplinary engineering organization, operations, and the supplier community to resolve manufacturing and quality issues to keep product delivery on time.

Coordinates with functional managers to acquire resources to execute project tasks/deliverables; Generates correct engineering documentation to support production activities; writes documents to provide engineering authority and to release technical data and designs.

• Estimate resources required to execute a project, and work with project management to develop work plans and schedules.

Directs drafting resources to complete drawing work order tasks to meet production schedules.

Reviews technical documents, simulations, and analyses; provides guidance on design iterations; Creates test instructions based on customer requirements and applicable international standards or regulatory requirements.

Directs testing to perform validation testing, analyze data, verify performance against requirements and document results.

Specifies/approves substitutions when required; deals with parts obsolescence issues and provides guidance.

Implements engineering changes by writing, issuing, reviewing, and closing out change documents.

Defines & controls locomotive requirement and specifications

Support customers inquirys with technical inputs and controls

• Manage technical integration of the product from requirements definition to final verification.Product design solutions must be balanced to meet the objectives of reliability, performance, and cost, while meeting budget, project cost, and schedule constraints.
• Oversee and audit end product verification through customer acceptance testing.
• Perform train simulation analyses.
• Production order support role for assigned orders.
• Support the technical inquiry process.
• Collect customer inputs and refine into clear technical requirements.
• Create and maintain work breakdown structures for a project.
• Develop resource estimates for new projects.
• Develop costing bills of materials and work with Finance to develop accurate cost estimates.
• Perform various analyses in support of locomotive inquiries such as train simulations, weight and clearance studies, and other performance studies.
• At least 25% travel required (Willingness to travel)

Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in engineering field relevant to assigned project (e.g., mechanical, electrical, software, etc.) with thorough understanding of baseline relevant engineering principles; depending on assigned project, a master's degree may be required or offset with relevant experience
• 15- 20 years of working experience in various capacities.
• Min 10 years of Systems integration / Vehicle Integration experience, engineering experience with a focus on design, materials, R&D, and manufacturing and/or programming as related to the rail industry; knowledge of diesel engines and engine components; Experience in Project Management tools and techniques; demonstrated experience in development and design needed to meet railway industry needs; proven project management experience with engineering development of complex engineering solutions
• Knowledge of design and application of diesel electric Locomotives is an added advantage.

High level of analytical ability; Familiarity with Association of American Railroads (AAR) specifications and regional industry standards a plus; experience with ISO requirements is added advantage.

• Proficiency in tools: MS Project or Liquid Planner, PeerReview Complete, Teamcenter, CAD, PDM, DOORS, etc. as appropriate to the position is preferred
• Experience in inquiry / tender response processes is desirable.
• Experience conducting Simulations is highly preferred.
• Experience in writing reports for presentation to customers preferred.
• Capable of maintaining historical data in an organized fashion that is useful to other members of the design teams.
• 4-6 years of Product Management experience.
• Ability to recognize and define interfaces of the different systems and subsystems within a vehicle / locomotive.
• 8-10 years of experience using CAD tools, Unigraphics experience preferred.

Strong communication skills, both written and oral; able to create detailed specifications, procedures, and technical reports.

Strong proficiency with MS Office tools (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and Blueprint reading.

Preferred:

• Knowledge of Diesel Electric Locomotive Systems is preferred.
• Understanding of engineering processes and procedures.

Essential and Physical Activities Functions

Strength Position typically involves work in an office environment with occasional visits to an industrial environment. Frequent/constant sitting. Occasional standing and walking. Occasional light to medium level lifting or carrying (up to 30 pounds);

Motion Position regularly requires standard motions associated with working in an office environment. Depending on assigned project, position may occasionally require motions involved in an industrial working environment, including some low to intense levels of pushing, pulling, climbing, balancing, crouching, stooping, kneeling, reaching, grasping.

Vision/Hearing Requirements Frequent verbal communications, including both talking and hearing.

Work Environment Position is typically located in an office environment with occasional visits to an industrial environment which may include a non-temperature-controlled environment, as well as exposure to noise (85+ decibels), occasional exposure to temperature changes, heavy machinery and other hazardous working conditions requiring the use of PPE. Position may require travel as necessary, both domestic and international.

Emotional Demands Very high level of responsibility. Must be able to coordinate diverse aspects of a project. Requires significant interpersonal skills while sustaining very high standards.

Safety Position may occasionally require the use of Personal Protective Equipment during visits to industrial areas.