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Location(s): 

Houston, TX, US

Function:  Service Delivery
Job Category:  Support Functions

Manager, Technical Talent Programs

Manager, Technical Talent Programs

Region North, Americas

 

Job Purpose

The Manager, Technical Talent Programs plays a pivotal role in building a sustainable and future‑ready technical workforce across Region North (AMER). This role leads early‑career talent strategy for technical and Field Service populations by developing strong academic partnerships, designing best‑in‑class internship and trainee programs, and owning structured induction experiences for new hires.

This position directly supports Wärtsilä’s long‑term growth, technical capability continuity, safety culture, and employer brand in the North American technical labor market.

 

Key Responsibilities

Technical Careers Strategy & Talent Pipeline

  • Define and execute a regional early‑career and technical talent strategy aligned with Operations and Field Service workforce demand.

  • Translate business needs into scalable, sustainable hiring pipelines through academic and early‑career programs.

University & Technical College Partnerships

  • Build and maintain long‑term partnerships with targeted universities, community colleges, and technical schools across the region.

  • Position Wärtsilä as an employer of choice for technical talent through a clear and compelling employer value proposition for students and educators. 

Internship & Trainee Program Management

  • Design, launch, and continuously improve technical internship and trainee programs supporting Field Service and operational roles.

  • Ensure program quality, consistency, safety compliance, and alignment with future technical skill requirements.

Induction & Onboarding Excellence

  • Own and evolve structured induction programs for early‑career and newly hired Field Service employees in Region North.

  • Partner with Service, QEHS, and HR teams to ensure onboarding accelerates productivity, retention, and safe ways of working.

Stakeholder & Vendor Collaboration

  • Work closely with Field Service leaders, HR Business Partners, Talent Acquisition, and external training providers to deliver programs at scale.

  • Act as the regional subject matter expert for early‑career and technical workforce programs.

Program Performance & Continuous Improvement

  • Track and analyze outcomes such as conversion rates, time to productivity, and retention.

  • Use data‑driven insights to continuously improve program design, partnerships, and delivery models. 

 

Qualifications & Experience

Required

  • Proven experience designing and leading technical workforce, early‑career, or internship programs.

  • Strong understanding of technical, blue‑collar, or skilled trade talent pipelines.

  • Demonstrated ability to build and manage external partnerships (universities, technical schools, training providers).

  • Solid program and stakeholder management skills across multiple functions and locations.

 

Preferred

  • Experience supporting Field Service, Manufacturing, Engineering, or Operations populations.

  • Exposure to safety‑critical or regulated environments.

  • Knowledge of US / AMER early‑career technical labor markets.

 

Why You’ll Love Working at Wärtsilä

Wärtsilä is a global leader in innovative technologies and lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets. We are at the forefront of enabling the transition toward sustainable societies through smart technology.

You’ll join a diverse, inclusive, and purpose‑driven organization where you can shape the future of technical talent, make a tangible impact on workforce sustainability, and grow your career in a truly global environment.

Last application date: 05/05/2026 

 

Candidates for regular U.S and Puerto Rico positions must be a U.S. citizen, national, or an alien admitted as permanent resident, refugee, asylee with valid work permit or temporary resident under 8 U.S.C. 1160(a) or 1255a(1). Individuals with temporary visas such as E, F-1, H-1, H1B, H-2, L, B, J, or TN or who need sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, are not eligible for hire.

 

Individuals hired for positions that require on-site customer interactions and/or in-person travel may be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or other country-specific vaccinations, unless otherwise prohibited by law.

 

Wärtsilä North America values our employees. We offer a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. Wärtsilä North America is an EOE/AA employer.

 

At Wärtsilä we value, respect and embrace all our differences, and are committed to diversity, inclusion and equal employment opportunities; everyone can be their true self and succeed based on their job-relevant merits and abilities.

 

Effective January 2025, Wartsila companies in the USA have implemented a new hybrid work model. Most employees who live within 40 miles of an office will work 2 days per week in office. This model will provide our employees the flexibility of working from home, while also providing the benefits of in-person collaboration twice a week. We will be happy to provide more information during your interview process. 


Please note that according to Wärtsilä policy, voluntary consent for a security check may be required from candidates being considered for this position, depending on the applicable country.

 

This is Wärtsilä 

Wärtsilä is a global leader in innovative technologies and lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets. Our team of 18,300 professionals, in more than 230 locations in 77 countries, shape the decarbonisation transformation of our industries across the globe. Read more on www.wartsila.com. 


Nearest Major Market: Houston

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