R&D Program Director, Digital Services

Role Summary

**The incumbent must collaborate with employees in Canada and be able to travel 20% of the time within Canada and occasionally abroad.**

Reporting to the Global Vice President, R&D, Test and Measurement. The R&D Program Director, Digital Solutions, is responsible for defining, leading and delivering the organization's portfolio of digital products, software platforms, cloud services, data and analytics solutions, artificial intelligence (AI)-based capabilities and connected customer experiences.

The Program Director is responsible for executing the Digital Solutions strategy and roadmap, ensuring alignment between customer needs, business objectives, technology capabilities and product roadmaps. The role aims to drive the development of scalable digital solutions that improve customer productivity, equipment connectivity, workflow efficiency, asset management and inspection performance.

The Program Director leads multidisciplinary teams responsible for software development, cloud platforms, data management, cybersecurity, systems integration, user experience, analytics and artificial intelligence. The teams are spread across several global R&D sites, notably in Montreal and Quebec.

The role works closely with the Product Management, Commercial, Services, IT, Quality, Operations and Engineering teams to deliver differentiated digital products, develop recurring revenue opportunities and strengthen long-term customer engagement.

The Program Director is responsible for

•Reviewing and executing the Digital Solutions Roadmap.

•Delivering digital products and services aligned with Product Roadmaps.

•Building and maintaining scalable software, cloud, and data platforms.

•Driving adoption of digital capabilities across product lines.

•Accelerating innovation through data, automation, AI, and connected technologies.

•Developing organizational capabilities required to support future digital growth.

Responsibilities

• The program director is responsible for
• Review and execute the Digital Solutions roadmap.
• Deliver digital products and services aligned with product roadmaps.
• Develop and maintain scalable software, cloud and data platforms.
• Drive adoption of digital capabilities across product lines.
• Accelerate innovation through data, automation, AI and connected technologies.
• Develop the organizational capabilities needed to support future digital growth.

Strategic leadership

• Define and communicate a clear vision of Digital Solutions aligned with corporate objectives.
• Establish priorities for software platforms, cloud services, analytical capabilities, AI initiatives and connected product solutions.
• Identify customer needs, market opportunities and emerging digital technologies.
• Drive innovation through the development of differentiated software and intellectual property capabilities.
• Influence product strategy by identifying opportunities made possible by digital technologies.
• Define platform strategies aimed at maximizing reuse, scalability, interoperability and maintainability across different product lines.
• Develop strategic partnerships with cloud providers, software companies, technology providers, universities and research organizations.
• Monitor market trends in digital services, software platforms, cybersecurity, AI, data analytics, Internet of Things (IoT), and industrial automation.
• Promote a data-driven culture within the organization.
• Ensure alignment between digital initiatives and overall business objectives.

Running programs

• Take responsibility for delivering R&D commitments associated with digital products, platforms and services.
• Ensure that software, cloud solutions and digital solutions are delivered on time, within established budgets and meeting required quality levels.
• Establish and manage the planning and governance processes for software production releases.
• Manage product and platform development roadmaps across multiple teams and locations.
• Ensure effective coordination between software teams, hardware groups, product management and operations.
• Promote the adoption of Agile development methodologies and DevOps practices.
• Ensure digital platforms are scalable, secure, reliable and easy to maintain.
• Manage program interdependencies and proactively resolve execution risks.
• Define and monitor key performance indicators.
• Manage portfolio prioritization based on business value and strategic impact.
• Ensure that customer requirements are translated into concrete development plans.
• Ensure the successful integration of software, cloud, analytics and hardware solutions.

Team development

• Lead, inspire and develop a high-performing multidisciplinary R&D team.
• Foster a culture of autonomy, accountability, technical excellence, collaboration and transparency.
• Establish strong technical leadership and clear accountability for decision-making within teams.
• Identify skills gaps and drive recruitment, development and training initiatives.
• Develop and maintain succession plans for key positions.
• Provide regular performance feedback and coaching.
• Foster a high level of team engagement by ensuring a clear understanding of objectives, strong accountability, transparent communication and alignment with program vision and priorities.
• Monitor and continually improve engagement using feedback mechanisms to strengthen team effectiveness, alignment and retention.
• Promote recognition and retention strategies.
• Encourage collaboration between teams, programs and different sites.

Strategic Leadership

• •Define and communicate a clear Digital Solutions vision aligned with corporate objectives.
• •Establish priorities for software platforms, cloud services, analytics capabilities, AI initiatives, and connected product solutions.
• •Identify customer needs, market opportunities, and emerging digital technologies.
• •Drive innovation through development of differentiated software capabilities and intellectual property.
• •Influence product strategy by identifying opportunities enabled through digital technologies.
• •Define platform strategies that maximize reuse, scalability, interoperability, and maintainability across product lines.
• •Develop strategic partnerships with cloud providers, software companies, technology vendors, universities, and research organizations.
• •Monitor market trends in digital services, software platforms, cybersecurity, AI, data analytics, IoT, and industrial automation.
• •Champion a data-driven culture throughout the organization.
• •Ensure alignment between digital initiatives and broader business objectives.

Program Execution

• •Own delivery of R&D commitments associated with digital products, platforms, and services.
• •Ensure software, cloud, and digital solutions are delivered on schedule, within budget, and at the required quality levels.
• •Establish and drive software release planning and governance processes.
• •Manage product and platform development roadmaps across multiple teams and locations.
• •Ensure effective coordination between software teams, hardware groups, product management, and operations.
• •Drive adoption of agile development methodologies and DevOps practices.
• •Ensure digital platforms are scalable, secure, reliable, and maintainable.
• •Manage dependencies between programs and resolve execution risks proactively.

•Define and track key performance indicators

• •Manage portfolio prioritization based on business value and strategic impact.
• •Ensure customer requirements are translated into actionable development plans.
• •Drive successful integration of software, cloud, analytics, and hardware solutions.
• Team Development
• •Lead, inspire, and develop a high-performing, multidisciplinary R&D team
• •Foster a culture of autonomy with accountability, technical excellence, collaboration, and transparency
• •Establish strong technical leadership and clear ownership of decisions within teams
• •Identify capability gaps and drive hiring, development, and training initiatives
• •Develop and maintain succession plans for critical roles
• •Provide regular performance feedback and coaching

•Drive high levels of team engagement by ensuring clarity of purpose, strong ownership, transparent communication, and alignment with program vision and priorities

• •Monitor and continuously improve engagement using feedback mechanisms to strengthen team effectiveness, alignment, and retention
• •Promote recognition and retention strategies
• •Encourage collaboration across teams, programs, and sites

Requirements

Technical skills

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, software engineering, computer engineering or equivalent experience.
• A master's degree in engineering, computer science, business administration or management is an asset.
• Minimum of 15 years of experience in product development, software engineering, digital products or a related technical field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in leadership and management of multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Strong experience in software product development and delivery.
• Experience leading cloud platforms and connected product ecosystems.
• Knowledge of Azure, AWS or similar cloud technologies.
• Experience with Agile, Scrum, DevOps and modern software development methodologies.
• Familiarity with SaaS business models and recurring revenue generating solutions.
• Experience in analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, IoT or connected products.
• Understanding of cybersecurity principles and secure software development practices.
• Demonstrated experience delivering complex development programs involving multiple sites.

Behavioral skills

• Strategic thinking and strong business acumen.
• Visionary leadership and ability to transform strategy into concrete actions.
• Strong customer orientation.
• High level of accountability and support.
• Orientation towards results and great rigor in execution.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to exert influence across organizational boundaries.
• Collaborative leadership style.
• Innovative mind and excellent problem-solving skills.
• Adaptability and resilience in rapidly changing environments.
• Ability to inspire teams and foster organizational alignment.
• Strong change management skills.
• ______________________________________________________________________________
• **The incumbent must collaborate with employees in Canada and must be able to travel 20% of the time within Canada and occasionally abroad**

Reporting to the Global VP of R&D, Test & Measurement, the R&D Program Director, Digital Solutions is responsible for defining, leading, and delivering the organization's portfolio of digital products, software platforms, cloud services, data and analytics solutions, AI-enabled capabilities, and connected customer experiences.

The Program Director is accountable for the execution of the Digital Solutions strategy and roadmap, ensuring alignment between customer needs, business objectives, technology capabilities, and product roadmaps. The role drives the development of scalable digital solutions that enhance customer productivity, equipment connectivity, workflow efficiency, asset management, and inspection performance.

The Program Director leads multidisciplinary teams responsible for software engineering, cloud platforms, data management, cybersecurity, systems integration, user experience, analytics, and artificial intelligence. Teams are distributed across multiple global R&D sites, including Montreal and Quebec City.

The role works closely with Product Management, Commercial, Service, IT, Quality, Operations, and Engineering leadership to deliver differentiated digital products, develop recurring revenue opportunities, and strengthen long-term customer engagement.

Technical skills

• •Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• •Master's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Business, or Management considered an asset.
• •Minimum 15 years of experience in product development, software engineering, digital products, or related technical fields.
• •Minimum 10 years of leadership experience managing multidisciplinary technical teams.
• •Strong experience in software product development and delivery.
• •Experience leading cloud-based platforms and connected product ecosystems.
• •Knowledge of Azure, AWS, or similar cloud technologies.
• •Experience with Agile, Scrum, DevOps, and modern software development methodologies.
• •Familiarity with SaaS business models and recurring revenue solutions.
• •Experience with analytics, AI, machine learning, IoT, or connected products.
• •Understanding of cybersecurity principles and secure software development practices.
• •Proven track record of delivering complex, multi-site development programs.

Behavioural skills

• •Strategic thinker with strong business acumen.
• •Visionary leadership with ability to translate strategy into execution.
• •Strong customer focus.
• •High level of ownership and accountability.
• •Results-oriented with strong execution discipline.
• •Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills.
• •Ability to influence across organizational boundaries.
• •Collaborative leadership style.
• •Innovative mindset and strong problem-solving capability.
• •Adaptable and resilient in rapidly evolving environments.
• •Ability to inspire teams and drive organizational alignment.
• •Strong change leadership capabilities.

Informations complémentaires

• Qu’est-ce que vous pourriez accomplir dans un endroit où les gens passent avant tout?
• Chez Wabtec, ce n’est pas juste un emploi — c’est l’impact que vous créez. Quand nos gens se rassemblent, nous repoussons les limites du possible en améliorant continuellement ce que nous faisons et comment nous le faisons — pour nos clients et les uns pour les autres.
• Si vous êtes prêt à révolutionner la façon dont le monde se déplace pour les générations futures, Wabtec est l’endroit qu’il vous faut.

About the Company

Evident Canada is a Wabtec group company! Evident Canada, a Wabtec Group company, is a global leader in the manufacturing of innovative inspection equipment used in industrial and research applications in aerospace, power generation, petrochemicals, civil infrastructure, the automotive industry and consumer products.

Wabtec est un fournisseur mondial de premier plan d’équipements, de systèmes, de solutions numériques et de services à valeur ajoutée pour les secteurs ferroviaires de fret et de transport en commun. Forts de plus de 150 ans d’expérience, nous menons en matière de sécurité, d’efficacité, de fiabilité, d’innovation et de productivité. Que ce soit dans le fret, le transport, les ports, la logistique, les mines, l'industrie ou la marine, notre expertise, nos technologies et nos employés accélèrent ensemble l’avenir du transport. Avec des racines remontant à George Westinghouse, Thomas Edison et Louis Faiveley, Wabtec a toujours développé des technologies et mis en œuvre des solutions adaptées aux secteurs essentiels pour répondre aux besoins des clients et des gouvernements.

Avec environ 30 000 membres de l’équipe à travers le monde, nous générons une performance qui fait avancer le monde. Nous sommes des apprenants à vie, animés par le désir constant de faire mieux. Apprenez-en plus à www.WabtecCorp.com

Notre culture nous propulse et ouvre les possibilités

Nous croyons que les meilleures idées naissent d’un mélange d’expériences et de parcours variés. Chez Wabtec, nous travaillons chaque jour pour créer un environnement où chacun trouve sa place. Nous bâtissons une culture où le leadership, l’inclusion et votre perspective unique alimentent le progrès.

Nous sommes fiers d’être un employeur offrant l’égalité des chances. Nous accueillons les talents de tous les horizons, expériences et identités – y compris la race, le genre, l’âge, le handicap, le statut de vétéran et plus encore.

Besoin d’adaptation? Faites-nous signe – nous sommes là pour vous.