Software Architect - Vital Software

About Us

A career at Hitachi Rail will help create a legacy. With operations in every corner of the world, our work goes to the cutting-edge of digital transformation and technology. From the multi-cultural strength of our global organisation to the sustainable and innovative ways we work to bring people together, there’s something for everyone to get stuck into. And that’s where you come in.

About Us

A career at Hitachi Rail will help create a legacy. With operations in every corner of the world, our work goes to the cutting-edge of digital transformation and technology. From the multi-cultural strength of our global organisation to the sustainable and innovative ways we work to bring people together, there’s something for everyone to get stuck into. And that’s where you come in.

Job Description

Software Architect leads the design, development, integration, and testing of complex operationally critical and safety-critical software systems within the railway signaling domain. As the technical owner of one or more functional areas, the Software Architect is responsible for defining software architecture, specifying and implementing software solutions, and ensuring alignment with system requirements and safety-critical development processes. Working under the direction of the Chief Software Architect, the role contributes to system performance, safety assurance, technology innovation, and software engineering excellence across the full project lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, testing, and integration of high-complexity software components and functional areas within operationally critical and safety-critical systems.
• Analyze customer needs and lifecycle requirements through studies, simulations, prototypes, models, and other engineering methods.
• Contribute to mission and functional definition, software architecture development, algorithm design, and refinement of functional and non-functional requirements.
• Design, code, debug, test, and review software solutions while leading design reviews and ensuring quality standards are met.
• Analyze software defects, implement corrective actions, and support troubleshooting and testing activities in both laboratory and field environments.
• Develop software cost estimates, assess technical risks, and support bid and tendering activities.
• Collaborate with Systems Engineering teams to ensure system-software consistency, architectural compliance, and successful refinement of software components.
• Define, maintain, and govern software architecture throughout the entire product and project lifecycle.
• Lead and coordinate software architecture strategies and support trade-off analyses involving cost, schedule, requirements, and technology considerations.
• Ensure adherence to software development plans, standards, secure coding practices, and software reuse policies.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, tools, and processes to drive continuous improvement in software development practices.
• Provide technical leadership, mentoring, training, and guidance to software engineering teams.

Required Skills and Experience

• 10+ years of experience in Urban Rail Signaling (URS) systems and software design, development, integration, testing, and deployment activities.
• Expert-level knowledge of software architecture, software engineering principles, and requirements engineering.
• Advanced analytical and troubleshooting skills with the ability to diagnose failures using field logs and engineering analysis techniques.
• Experience leading software development processes, including Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Delivery (CD) pipelines.
• Strong understanding of secure coding practices and software quality standards.
• Expert knowledge of railway signaling systems, including SelTrac CBTC technology.
• Experience with development, source control, build, and requirements management tools including Git, Jira, Eclipse, ClearCase, ClearQuest, DOORS, Jenkins, Docker, and AWS.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in test automation.
• Minimum 1 year of experience working with AI frameworks and Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, or MCP Servers.
• Expert-level experience developing mission-critical and near real-time software systems.
• Expert-level proficiency in C/C++, including STL, Boost, MFC, templates, and advanced object-oriented programming concepts.
• Strong experience with scripting languages such as Perl and Ruby and knowledge of multithreading, socket programming, and Windows-based software development.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation.
• Experience developing software for embedded systems using C and C++.
• Experience with additional programming languages such as Java, C#, Python, and Assembly.
• Experience in modelling and simulation within complex engineering environments.
• Ability to develop software across multiple operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and Unix.
• Knowledge of Angular, TypeScript, WebSockets, and Java-based backend development.
• Familiarity with software build tools such as gmake and MSBuild.
• Understanding of control theory, graph theory, and CENELEC railway standards.
• Experience within Automatic Train Protection (ATP) and Automatic Train Operation (ATO) environments.

Base Salary Range : $106,000 - $142,000

The Company provides an extensive benefits program for all full-time employees working 24 or more hours per week and their eligible dependents, including the following:

• Health, Dental and Vision plans - 100% of premiums are company-paid
• Retirement Savings Plan with a company match
• Company paid holidays - 3 weeks of vacation
• Company provided Life and accident Insurance, LTD
• Worklife programs such as Flextime and a variety of Development and Training opportunities

This posting relates to an existing vacancy.

Our hiring process uses both human and technology‑assisted (AI) tools to support candidate screening and assessment. All results are reviewed by people, and all hiring decisions are made by people.

At Hitachi Rail, there is a place for everyone. We welcome and value differences in background, age, gender, sexuality, family status, disability, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, and world view. It is our commitment to create an inclusive environment - we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.