Advanced Lead Engineer - Network Systems

Wabtec•Erie, PA

2d•$79,300 - $113,000•Onsite

About The Position

You will be part of the Modular Control Architecture (MCA) software team. The MCA SW architecture is highly flexible, made up of many modular software, application, and hardware elements. While flexibility adds opportunity and capability, it also adds complexity, driving the importance of a robust platform SW and communication strategy. MCA is built on MBSE (Model Based System Engineering) principles for requirements management and test cases with full traceability built into the MBSE model. The Advanced Lead Engineer is responsible for the development and integration of ethernet communication networks supporting the locomotive control system. This role focuses on ensuring robust, reliable, secure, and scalable data exchange between distributed controllers, including locomotive supervisory controls, propulsion controls, engine controllers, I/O modules, and external interfaces. Operating within the MCA (Modular Control Architecture) team, this role bridges network architecture, control system behavior, and validation, ensuring network communication supports locomotive control, performance, and cybersecurity expectations across multiple locomotive platforms.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent practical experience
Minimum of 5 years of relevant engineering experience
Experience with networked control systems, including embedded communications, Ethernet-based networking, switch protocols, timing, synchronization, and interface definition
Experience in system integration and/or system validation
Ability to support hands‑on validation in simulation labs and on‑locomotive environments

Nice To Haves

Proficiency with DDS, INCA, MATLAB/Simulink, and GitLab-based source repositories preferred
Working knowledge of Model‑Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) using SysML and familiarity with INCOSE systems engineering best practices preferred

Responsibilities

Lead the development of the control system network architecture, including data flows, protocols, bandwidth allocation, timing, and redundancy.
Own the integration of distributed control nodes across locomotive control system networks
Evaluate and manage network impacts of new features, software updates, and hardware changes.
Develop and execute network-centric system integration test plans across SIL, HIL, lab, and on-locomotive environments.
Validate network performance against latency, jitter, throughput, synchronization, and availability requirements.
Investigate and resolve cross-system communication issues, including message loss, timing instability, packet congestion, and fault recovery behavior.
Collaborate with cross functional teams to ensure consistent interface definitions and assumptions.
Ensure alignment between logical architectures and physical network implementations.
Plan individual work for assigned features as input to project plans.
Execute development activities with cross functional team to ensure design status, readiness, adequacy, and test asset availability
Conduct test plan and integration result design reviews
Communicate status on system architecture and stability to engineering leadership