Principal Data Scientist - AI Engineering

Wabtec Corporation is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions and value-added services for freight and transit rail. Drawing on nearly four centuries of collective experience across Wabtec, GE Transportation and Faiveley Transport, the company has unmatched digital expertise, technological innovation, and world-class manufacturing and services, enabling the digital-rail-and-transit ecosystems. Wabtec is focused on performance that drives progress, creating transportation solutions that move and improve the world. Wabtec has approximately 27,000 employees in facilities throughout the world. Visit the company’s new website at: http://www.WabtecCorp.com.

It’s not just about your career… or your job title…it’s about who you are and the impact you are going to make on the world. Do you want to go into uncharted waters…do things that haven’t been done to make yours and someone else's life better? Wabtec has been doing that for decades and we will continue to do so! Through our people, leadership development, services, technology and scale, Wabtec delivers better outcomes for global customers by speaking the language of industry.

It’s not just about your career or job title… It’s about who you are and the impact you will make on the world. Because whether it’s for each other or our customers, we put People First. When our people come together, we Expand the Possible and continuously look for ways to improve what we create and how we do it. If you are constantly striving to grow, you’re in good company. We are revolutionizing the way the world moves for future generations, and we want someone who is ready to move with us.

Who are we?

Wabtec Corporation is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions, and value-added services for freight and transit rail as well as the mining, marine, and industrial markets. Drawing on nearly four centuries of collective experience across Wabtec, GE Transportation, and Faiveley Transport, the company has grown to become One Wabtec, with unmatched digital expertise, technological innovation, and world-class manufacturing and services, enabling the digital-rail-and-transit ecosystems.

Wabtec is focused on performance that drives progress and unlocks our customers’ potential by delivering innovative and lasting transportation solutions that move and improve the world. We are lifelong learners obsessed with making things better to drive exceptional results. Wabtec has approximately 27K employees in facilities throughout the world. Visit our website to learn more!

Summary

Who will you be working with?

This role is an integral part of the Wabtec IT Data & Analytics (DnA) Team. As a Principal Data Scientist - AI Engineering, you will be a key member of the AI Development (& Research) team, working closely with both Wabtec IT and Business leadership to champion our AI and ML technical and product vision to internal stakeholders across various Wabtec Business Units and Functions.

In this role, you will collaborate with Wabtec IT leaders and their teams, spanning Application, Data, Technology Architecture, Security, and Infrastructure services, as well as with Business leaders who may act as Project Sponsors or other senior stakeholders. Your expertise into Generative-AI, data science, machine learning, and computer science will be crucial as you conduct research and develop advanced solutions for both technological and complex business challenges.

The role of the Principal Data Scientist is to build high-quality, Cost efficient and robust AI systems that drive growth and deliver real business value.

Your core responsibilities include designing and developing artificial intelligence models, understanding business problems to propose effective AI solutions, and enhancing the performance of existing AI systems.

The candidate should be proficient in machine learning and deep learning concepts, as well as common AI frameworks and libraries.

How will you make a difference?

We are seeking a collaborative, pragmatic, and highly motivating Principal Data Scientist to drive our AI team's success and enhance customer experience through impactful AI and machine learning solutions. As a member of the Wabtec IT Data & Analytics (DnA) Team, you will be responsible for:

• Leading the DnA - AI team in developing foundational AI/ML products used across various products and programs in business units.
• Driving data-driven initiatives, developing models to identify customer trends, and enhancing customer experience.
• Use Generative AI and machine learning techniques to build models that solve business problems.
• Build/use LLM Model, Image processing, NLP along with model integration with new/existing applications, fine-tuning, and improve model performance/accuracy.
• Leveraging your experience in building and maintaining scalable, reliable, and distributed AI products to deliver quality solutions.
• Design, develop and refine AI-generated text prompts for various applications.
• Utilizing strong programming skills in Python, LLM, ML Flow, Deep Learning, PyTorch /TensorFlow, AWS AI tech-stack (Bedrock Services, Foundation models, Textract, Kendra etc.) to build/manage and analyze large datasets.
• Perform testing and debugging of AI applications
• Your ability to identify scalable and expandable applications will be key to your success in this role.
• Actively collaborating with various stakeholders to align AI initiatives with business goals.
• Dive deep into complex business problems and immerse yourself in Wabtec data & outcomes.
• Managing and mentoring a team of data scientists, fostering growth and performance.
• Implementing machine learning, predictive analytics, and data mining techniques
• Developing insights and strategies to improve customer outcomes and increase ROI.
• Stays up-to-date on the latest advancements & industry trends in artificial intelligence and related technologies through continuous learning and technology monitoring, including Risks and regulations.
• Creating reports and presenting data-driven insights to senior leadership.
• Ensuring data accuracy and adhering to security best practices.
• Optimizing state-of-the-art algorithms in distributed environments
• Create clear and concise communications/recommendations for senior leadership review related to AI strategic business plans and initiatives.

What do we want to know about you?

You must have:

The minimum qualifications for this role include:

• Ph.D., MS or Bachelor’s degree in Machine Learning, Operations Research, Statistics, Computer Science, Economics or other quantitative field

• 7+ years of experience developing and supporting AI products in a production environment with over 15 years of proven relevant experience

• 5+ years of experience managing and leading data science teams initiatives at enterprise level

• Technical expertise in modern AI technologies and designing, implementing, and maintaining AI models and platforms

• Expertise with Hands-On experience into Python, AWS AI tech-stack (Bedrock Services, Foundation models, Textract, Kendra etc.), ML Flow, Image Processing, NLP/Deep Learning, PyTorch /TensorFlow, LLM’s integration with applications.

Preferred qualifications for this role include:

• Demonstrated experience developing and scaling high-performance teams through hiring and coaching of engineering leaders, data scientists and ML engineers

• Effectively communicating information, propagating a strategic vision, and articulating technology for non-expert stakeholders is a critical skill for this role

• Experience aligning a team’s focus and vision towards the most impactful work across a complex product suite to meet the needs of a diverse, global customer base

• Track record of influencing and aligning stakeholders across different points of view or functions, to drive successful outcomes

• Experience developing enterprise level hands-on Python experience, and exposure to PyData stack, Pandas, Spark and similar

• Experience developing systems to deploy, manage, and serve machine learning models at scale

• Experience with generative AI, including open source and third-party solutions (e.g., OpenAI)

• Experience with Cloud Computing environments (e.g., AWS, Azure, OCI)
• Data Science tech stack and tools for Code versioning (Git), Containerization (Docker), Preferred: AWS with AWS AI services.

We would love it if you had:

• Fluent with experimental design and the ability to identify, compute and validate the appropriate metrics to measure success

• Demonstrated success working in a highly collaborative technical environment (e.g., code sharing, using revision control, contributing to team discussions/workshops, and collaborative documentation)

• Passion and aptitude for turning complex business problems into concrete hypotheses that can be answered through rigorous data analysis and experimentation

• Deep expertise in analytical storytelling and stellar communications skills

• Demonstrated success mentoring junior teammates & helping develop peers

What will your typical day look like?

• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with our Internal stakeholders to understand their needs, update on a specific project progress, and align our AI initiatives with business goals.
• Use Generative AI and machine learning techniques and build LLM Models & fine-tuning, Image processing, NLP, model integration with new/existing applications, and improve model performance/accuracy along with cost effective solutions.
• Data Analysis & Modeling: Conduct data analysis, develop machine learning models, and optimize algorithms for business solutions.
• Support AI Team: Guide and mentor the AI team, resolving technical issues and provide suggestions.
• Reporting & Strategy: Generate and present reports to senior leadership, develop strategic insights, and stay updated on industry trends.
• Training, Development & Compliance: Organize training sessions, manage resources efficiently, ensure data accuracy, security, and compliance with best practices.

What about the physical demands of the job?

• Ability to operate a laptop or desktop and to sit for extended periods of time.
• Concentrate for long periods of time.
• Work independently and as part of a team.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Meet deadlines under pressure.

You may also be asked to perform other duties outside of your function or trade, for which adequate training will be provided if necessary.

Wabtec Corporation is committed to taking on the world’s toughest challenges. In order to fulfill that commitment we rely on a culture of leadership, diversity and inclusiveness. We aim to employ the world’s brightest minds to help us create a limitless source of ideas and opportunities. We believe in hiring talented people of varied backgrounds, experiences and styles…people like you!

Wabtec Corporation is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or expression, or protected Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.

#LI-RM1

Wabtec Corporation is committed to taking on the world’s toughest challenges. In order to fulfill that commitment we rely on a culture of leadership, diversity and inclusiveness. We aim to employ the world’s brightest minds to help us create a limitless source of ideas and opportunities. We believe in hiring talented people of varied backgrounds, experiences and styles…people like you! Wabtec Corporation is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or expression, or protected Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.