Full-Time

Automation Engineer

Updated on 9/3/2026

Wabtec

Wabtec

10,001+ employees

Develops electric locomotives and digital solutions

Compensation Overview

$68.9k - $98.2k/yr

+ Annual bonus

No H1B Sponsorship

Maxton, NC, USA

In Person

Travel is less than 10%; relocation assistance may be available if eligibility requirements are met.

Bachelor's, Associate's

Category
Manufacturing & Process Engineering (1)

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Requirements
  • A Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a similar field, or an Associate or Technical degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a similar field with five years of experience in lieu of the Bachelor's degree.
  • A minimum of two years of experience in an industrial environment.
  • Experience designing, commissioning, and maintaining automation equipment, including robots and other general automation equipment.
  • Experience with project management.
  • A solid understanding of computer programming and software development.
  • Ability to troubleshoot and perform complex system tests.
  • Knowledge of industrial disciplines, including hydraulics, pneumatics, plant safety and processes, and industrial process systems.
  • Knowledge of electrical power wiring design principles, variable frequency drives, and other common electrical equipment.
  • Proficiency in maintaining automation equipment.
  • Ability to present issues and opportunities to RFPC staff.
  • Ability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds and frequently stand, walk, bend, crouch, push, and pull.
  • Ability to work near moving mechanical parts and extreme heat while using required personal protective equipment.
  • Legal authorization to work in the United States.
Responsibilities
  • Explore and design ways to automate machinery and manufacturing processes, including robots, metering and dispensing systems, and material handling systems.
  • Conceptualize, design, and install condition-based monitoring systems on new and existing facility equipment.
  • Identify and manage projects on the shop floor.
  • Write project descriptions covering overall project function, anticipated benefits, and estimated project cost by working with vendors, contractors, and suppliers.
  • Order approved equipment and perform detailed design and drawings as needed.
  • Program new automated components as needed.
  • Manage contractors and RFPC staff during project installation and conduct system startup.
  • Test new systems and identify and correct quality and safety issues.
  • Eliminate defects and errors through product and software development.
  • Conduct or oversee routine maintenance of new equipment systems with the maintenance department and specialized contractors.
  • Install and support system upgrades to existing equipment.
  • Participate in Kaizens and other team events as requested.
  • Enter new data into production systems as required.
  • Support RFPC Lean Manufacturing programs.
  • Perform other duties assigned by the Manufacturing Engineering Manager.
Desired Qualifications
  • Strong leadership and problem-solving skills.
  • Good organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Creative thinking skills.
  • Verbal and written communication skills.
  • Ability to keep up with the latest technologies.
  • Desire to continually upgrade technical knowledge.

Wabtec provides transportation solutions by designing and producing electric locomotives and related services for freight railroads, transit authorities, and industrial operators. Its flagship product, the FLXdrive, is a 100% battery-electric locomotive with a battery pack over 7 megawatt-hours that cuts fuel use and emissions, while the company also sells traditional locomotives, aftermarket services, and digital solutions to optimize operations. Wabtec differentiates itself through a fully electric propulsion option paired with value-added digital tools and manufacturing techniques like mixed-reality work processes, aiming to improve efficiency and sustainability across rail networks. The company’s goal is to make rail transport more efficient and eco-friendly by delivering reliable locomotives, ongoing maintenance, and advanced software and digital capabilities that help customers run greener, lower-cost operations.

Company Size

10,001+

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Founded

1872

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Q2 2026 sales reached $3.18 billion, and adjusted EPS rose 21.6%.
  • Management raised 2026 revenue guidance to $12.30 billion-$12.60 billion on July 22, 2026.
  • Multi-year backlog hit $30.93 billion, with 12-month backlog up 11.3% year over year.

What critics are saying

  • Progress Rail sued Wabtec in 2023; settlement on February 26, 2026 left breach claims history.
  • Wabtec’s premium valuation demands flawless execution after 17.5% Q2 2026 revenue growth.
  • Heavy debt-funded acquisitions, including Dellner and Frauscher, raise integration and return-risk through 2027.

What makes Wabtec unique

  • Wabtec bundles locomotives, signaling, and inspection through 2025-2026 acquisitions.
  • FLXdrive battery-electric locomotives and Forsee Power deepen Wabtec’s electrification edge.
  • Railroad incumbency plus $30.93 billion backlog locks in long-cycle customer relationships.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

Performance Bonus

Flexible Work Hours

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

29%

1 year growth

29%

2 year growth

29%
Yahoo Finance
Jul 23rd, 2026
Wabtec stock trades at premium valuation despite $30B order backlog and rail business headwinds

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies (Wabtec) has surged 39% over the past year, trading at the top of its 52-week range following 17.5% sales growth and an increased forecast. The rail technology manufacturer now holds a multi-year order backlog exceeding $30 billion. However, investors face a steep premium. The stock trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.1, well above the S&P 500's 24.3. Price-to-sales and price-to-operating-cash-flow multiples also exceed market averages at 3.7 and 22.3 respectively. Revenue has grown 10.2% annually over three years, outpacing the S&P 500's 5.9%. The 12-month backlog rose 11% whilst the multi-year backlog jumped 42%. Debt stands at a manageable 14.7% of market value. Operating cash flow reached approximately $2 billion over the past twelve months.

Yahoo Finance
Jul 22nd, 2026
Wabtec beats Q2 estimates with $2.76 EPS as revenues hit $3.18B

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies reported second-quarter earnings of $2.76 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.63 per share. This represents a 4.94% earnings surprise and compares to $2.27 per share a year ago. The locomotive, subway, and bus parts maker posted revenues of $3.18 billion for the quarter ended June 2026, exceeding estimates by 3.20%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $2.71 billion. The company has topped consensus estimates for both earnings and revenue in each of the last four quarters. Wabtec shares have risen 23.5% year-to-date, outpacing the S&P 500's 9.7% gain. The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) rating.

Yahoo Finance
Jul 15th, 2026
Wabtec to report Q2 2026 earnings on 22 July, sales expected to reach $3.08B

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies, operating as Wabtec Corporation, is set to report second-quarter 2026 results on 22 July before market open. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings stands at $2.63 per share, representing a 15.9% increase from the year-ago period. Revenue is expected to reach $3.08 billion, up 13.8% year over year. Wabtec has beaten earnings estimates in each of the past four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 3.97%. However, the company's second-quarter performance may face headwinds from higher operating expenses, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, and supply-chain disruptions. Offsetting these challenges, stronger demand for services and components across aftermarket and OEM channels is expected to support top-line growth. Freight revenues are forecast at $2.19 billion, whilst Transit revenues are projected at $839.37 million.

Yahoo Finance
Jun 15th, 2026
Forsee Power and Wabtec team up to electrify locomotives with advanced battery tech

Forsee Power, a smart battery systems specialist, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Wabtec to integrate advanced battery systems into battery-electric locomotive platforms. Wabtec, which unveiled the world's first battery-electric freight locomotive in 2021, will collaborate with Forsee Power to enhance performance and reliability whilst optimising costs. Forsee Power's PULSE PLUS RAIL battery system, built on Toshiba's latest-generation LTO cells, offers up to 20 years lifespan, high-power output and voltage range up to 1,500 VDC. The system features advanced liquid thermal management for extreme temperatures and meets the highest safety standards. The partnership leverages Forsee Power's industrial presence in Ohio for Buy America compliance. The electrical architecture suits both freight and passenger rail applications, with potential expansion into mining trucks.

Yahoo Finance
Jun 1st, 2026
Wabtec tops heavy transportation equipment Q1 earnings with $2.95B revenue, up 13% YoY

Wabtec reported Q1 revenues of $2.95 billion, up 13% year on year, meeting analysts' expectations. The railway equipment and systems provider delivered mixed results overall, beating EBITDA estimates but missing organic revenue projections. CEO Rafael Santana highlighted strong execution across the company's businesses, driving double-digit sales and adjusted earnings per share growth. The stock has risen 1.4% since reporting, currently trading at $261.22. Across the heavy transportation equipment sector, the 12 tracked stocks reported satisfactory Q1 results, with revenues and forward guidance broadly aligned with consensus estimates. However, share prices have declined 2.3% on average since earnings announcements. Douglas Dynamics delivered the sector's standout performance, with revenues of $137.8 million exceeding expectations by 3.4%.