Programming & Controls Manager

Job Title: Programming & Controls Manager Job Status: Full-Time Exempt Location: Office (Hybrid) Job Summary: Located in Mount Pleasant, Racine Railroad Products is a Wisconsin family-owned business, proud to provide innovative equipment and tools to the most prominent rail customers in the world. Our Maintenance-of-Way equipment is designed to ensure our customers receive the benefit of improved safety, performance and reliability.

Reporting directly to the Chief Engineer, the Programming and Controls Manager will lead our controls development team. This position is responsible for overseeing the development, integration, testing, and release of control systems for our advanced rail construction and maintenance equipment. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in control system development and a demonstrated ability to manage complex projects with shifting priorities, frequent design revisions, and a growing focus on vision systems and collision avoidance technologies.

This leader will play a critical role in driving innovation and ensuring reliability, safety, and performance in every release.

Essential Duties

30% Project Management & Strategy Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of programming and controls projects across multiple equipment platforms. Own project timelines, scope, resource planning, and change management. Identify and manage scope creep, coordinating with cross-functional teams to align on deliverables and priorities.

Serve as a key liaison between engineering, product development, operations, and customer service to drive improvements and resolve technical challenges. 20% Technical Oversight Guide the development and integration of control software, vision systems, and third-party collision avoidance solutions. Work closely with mechanical and electrical teams to ensure seamless system performance.

Stay current on industry trends and recommend technologies that enhance product safety and automation. 30% Testing, Validation & Release Develop and enforce a structured testing and release strategy for control system updates and new features. Define test cases, performance benchmarks, and failure criteria for validation processes.

Implement a revision control system for software releases to support field reliability and service. 20% Team Leadership Manage a team of control engineers and software developers, providing mentorship, feedback, and career development. Promote a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement. Set clear goals and performance expectations, aligned with company objectives.

Skills & Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field. 7+ years of experience in embedded systems, controls engineering, or software development. 3+ years of experience in a leadership or project management role. Strong knowledge of PLCs, embedded software, CAN bus, HMI systems, and industrial communication protocols.

Familiarity with vision systems, sensors, and safety technologies. Demonstrated ability to lead multi-disciplinary projects and navigate product iterations or late-stage changes. Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed. Preferred: Experience in rail equipment, heavy machinery, or mobile automation.

Benefits

Competitive salary and performance-based incentives Insurance coverage including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, as well as a health savings account (HSA) Company paid life insurance, short term & long-term disability 401(k) company match of 4% Culture committed to work life balance with generous PTO Company-wide bonus program Assistance with continuing education Racine Railroad Products, Inc.

is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If this opportunity is a fit for you, please send your resume and starting salary requirements directly to careers@racinerailroad.

com and we’d love to get the process started. If you’d like to learn more about the Racine Railroad Products family, please visit our website at https://www.racinerailroad.com or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/racine-railroad-products/.