Lead Systems Engineer - Thermal Management

Wabtec•Erie, PA

3d•$62,100 - $85,300•Onsite

About The Position

The Propulsion Systems Engineering team is responsible for the development and integration of thermal management solutions that support diesel-electric, battery-electric, hybrid locomotives, and off-highway vehicle applications. In this role, you will collaborate with propulsion, battery systems, engine systems, controls, structures, manufacturing, sourcing, service, and supplier teams to develop innovative and reliable thermal management solutions that meet customer and business requirements. As a Lead Engineer – Propulsion System Thermal Management, you will lead the design, development, validation, and production support of locomotive ventilation and battery thermal management systems. You will be responsible for defining system requirements, selecting and integrating components, performing engineering analysis, and supporting validation and field activities. Your work will directly impact product performance, reliability, efficiency, and customer satisfaction across Wabtec's propulsion platforms.

Requirements

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
Minimum of 5 years of experience in thermal management, HVAC, fluid systems, or similar applications.
Strong understanding of thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid flow, and mechanical system design.
Experience with CAD, engineering drawings, GD&T, DFMEA, and manufacturing-focused design practices.
Familiarity with CFD, thermal analysis, and simulation tools.
Experience with testing, validation, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis.
Strong communication and collaboration skills with cross-functional teams and suppliers.

Responsibilities

Design and develop ventilation and battery thermal management systems for locomotive and off-highway vehicle applications.
Define airflow, thermal, hydraulic, mechanical, and packaging requirements for propulsion system thermal management equipment.
Select and integrate components such as blowers, filters, ducting, heat exchangers, pumps, valves, and thermal management units.
Perform thermal, airflow, hydraulic, and mechanical analyses to support design decisions and system optimization.
Develop and execute component and system-level validation plans, including laboratory and locomotive testing.
Analyze test results, troubleshoot issues, and lead root cause investigations and corrective actions.
Collaborate with suppliers and cross-functional teams to support component development, qualification, and product launches.
Support manufacturing, commissioning, field investigations, and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance reliability and reduce cost.