Dir, Product

Job Purpose

To lead the Railroad Network Optimization product, driving its vision, strategy, and development to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve reliability in USA railroad operations.

Company Description

Progress Rail stands at the intersection of legacy and innovation—driving the future of rail with a pioneering spirit. Since its founding in 1983, the company has grown to become one of the world’s largest and most trusted providers of railroad products, services, and technologies. Today, Progress Rail delivers a comprehensive portfolio of cost‑effective solutions to railway customers around the globe. From the rails themselves to the EMD® locomotives that ride them, the company’s products are in operation across more than 100 countries—powering progress and connecting communities. In 2006, Progress Rail joined Caterpillar Inc., further strengthening its ability to lead the rail industry with cutting‑edge technology, unmatched expertise, and a commitment to excellence. At Progress Rail, the team is not just building the future of rail—they are making history every day.

Key Job Elements

• Define and own the product vision, strategy, and multi-year roadmap for the Railroad Network Optimization product, prioritizing features that address USA-specific challenges.
• Conduct market research and gather requirements from stakeholders, including rail operators, logistics partners, and regulatory bodies, to identify opportunities for optimization.
• Leverage data analytics and SQL tools to derive insights, track key metrics, and inform data-driven decisions for product enhancements.
• Partner with sales, marketing, and customer success teams to support product launches, user onboarding, and feedback loops, ensuring the product meets the needs of USA rail markets like Class I railroads and short lines.
• Monitor industry trends in railroad technology, including AI for predictive maintenance and network simulation, and advocate for features that position the product as a leader in transportation efficiency.
• Support the commercial team on presentations, proposals, and demos to effectively showcase the product's value and drive business growth.
• Create business cases, write detailed product requirements, and manage trade-offs to deliver high-quality features on time, while influencing senior stakeholders through compelling narratives and experimentation.

Education / Training

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Mandatory: Jira Service Management, Confluence, Zendesk, BI tools (Power BI/Looker), survey tools (CSAT/NPS)

Qualifications and Experience

• 10+ years of experience in railroad operations, with familiarity in transportation networks like freight management and knowledge of USA-specific regulations and challenges.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and build consensus among diverse stakeholders.
• Proven track record of owning end-to-end product delivery, from roadmap strategy to launch, in complex, capital-intensive environments.
• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in data visualization tools, and metric-driven decision-making.

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 50 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.

EEO

Progress Rail is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities.

Job Category

Engineering

PRS Facility Location

Leased Office - Southlake, TX - 477

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