Embedded Hardware Process Manager / HEM Process Referent

Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas, Inc.; Toronto; On-site; CAD 104,000 - 134,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental & Vision plans (company

Retirement Savings Plan with company-m

3 weeks vacation

Life and accident Insurance

Flexible work options and training

Job summary

Hitachi Rail Canada Inc. is seeking a Discipline Lead for the Hardware and Embedded Middleware (HEM) Engineering Department. You will drive process improvements across platforms, ensuring efficient design delivery and compliance with CENELEC standards.

The role includes training, tool evaluation, and coordination with multiple countries to standardize practices. You will lead HEM competency development, manage licenses, and support cross‑functional workshops, contributing to engineering

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years relevant experience.
• University degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, System Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Knowledge of HW development tools and embedded middleware processes.
• Familiarity with CENELEC 5012x standards in CBTC.
• Strong communication skills in English (written and verbal).

Responsibilities

• Evolve HEM skills, processes and tools to improve engineering competitiveness.
• Maintain skill assessments and close identified gaps.
• Create and maintain training materials and documentation.
• Provide training and technical support to bridge process, tooling, and skill gaps.
• Lead implementation of new tools for design and management (e.g., workbenches, DOORs/Polarion).
• Define processes and environment setup with Hitachi; manage licenses.

Skills

English proficiency

Stakeholder communication

Change management

Education

Electrical/Mechatronics/Systems Eng. degree

Tools

DOORs/Polarion

Solid Edge

Creo

AutoCAD

Windchill

Job description

Location

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Job ID

R1008808

Date Posted

2026-07-07

Company Name

Hitachi Rail Canada Inc.

Profession (Job Category)

Other

Job Schedule

Full time

Remote

No

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

Discipline Lead of the Hardware and Embedded Middleware (HEM) Engineering Department for URS scope, covering Platforms, Design Deliveries to Projects, and Industrial Activities. The HEM Process Referent aims to streamline existing processes, tools, and practices to achieve efficiency and reduce design turnaround time from concept to delivery. This role is responsible for defining, maintaining, and implementing the HEM Process across the various departments and projects. By focusing on continuous improvements, the HEM Process Referent ensures measures and techniques applied are consistent at the departmental level and compliant with the latest CENELEC standards. Furthermore, this role manages the department’s CENELEC competency by overseeing training and competency assessments.

Key Accountabilities

• Address the required evolution of the Hardware Embedded Middleware Engineering (HEM) skills, processes, and tools to improve engineering competitiveness and maturity, preparing technical expertise for future technologies.
• Maintain skill assessment of employees and recommend actions to close identified gaps.
• Aid in creating and maintaining training materials and user documentation.
• Provide training and technical support to bridge process, tooling, and skill‑set gaps.
• Follow user feedback and recommend the best solutions for the continuous evolution of tools.
• Support the evaluation and implementation of new tools for Design and Management (e.g., workbenches, simulation tools, configuration tools such as Shared Palma).
• Ensure an ideal Engineering environment setup for HEM Engineering team members.
• Actively participate in the Engineering environment deployment.
• Contribute to defining processes and environment setup with Hitachi.
• Manage and track licenses required within the HEM Engineering team.
• Lead induction of Polarion (DOORs replacement) within HEM Engineering.
• Capitalize and share knowledge and best practices across HEM Engineering, monitoring capitalization loops including cost model data.
• Conduct internal lessons learned and coordinate implementation of improvements with stakeholders.
• Monitor process compliance through regular audits and reporting.
• Guide Work Package Managers and Project Leads in implementing the Hitachi Management System.
• Define and implement department-specific Engineering improvement initiatives to contribute to overall Engineering performance.
• Seek continuous improvements in measures and techniques applied to processes.
• Actively participate in cross‑functional workshops.
• Serve as the focal point for process interface with other technical departments.
• Collaborate with Hitachi Management System process owners or other discipline process leads to drive process changes and clarifications.
• Represent HEM Canada and interface with process owners in Germany, Italy, and the USA for process consolidation efforts.
• Responsible for CENELEC competency management and skill assessments.
• Define and report on key metrics and KPIs across the HEM Engineering department.
• Provide valuable data to monitor portfolios and projects, including metrics like on‑time delivery (OTD), estimate attributes (EA), root cause analysis, and cost‑of‑quality KPIs.
• Maintain high-level professionalism in job execution and relations, confidently interacting with internal and external stakeholders of any level and acting as a Change Management Agent.

Key Requirements

• +8 years relevant working experience.
• University degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, System Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Knowledge of tools such as Solid Edge, Creo, AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical, PTC Windchill, and DOORs/Polarion (preferred).
• Understanding of railway signalling technologies, including SelTrac CBTC.
• Proven expertise in applying CENELEC 5012x standards within the CBTC industry.
• Experience improving Engineering Design Development and Validation Cycles with best practices and methodologies.
• Ability to clearly communicate technical details to diverse stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage and balance multiple priorities effectively.
• Familiarity with hardware and embedded middleware engineering processes.
• Knowledge of HW development tools.
• Proficient written and verbal communication skills in English (mandatory).
• Strong interpersonal and diplomatic skills for confidently managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in leading transformational activities.
• Openness to exploring and implementing new technical approaches or processes.
• Effective negotiating skills.

Salary Range

$104,313 – $133,734

Benefits

• 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. Artificial intelligence may be used in the screening or assessment process for this role.

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.

We would be delighted if you would be one of our followers at https://www.linkedin.com/company/hitachirail. Hitachi brings together the world’s greatest minds to help breathe life into new possibilities – and drive innovation for a better future. That’s why we look for individuals who share our pioneering spirit, have imaginative ideas and are fearless when it comes to tackling the world’s biggest challenges.

Our people love technology – and they love making a difference. They have a passion for finding new solutions and working with brilliant colleagues. Every day they dedicate themselves to a huge range of exciting projects, contributing to the Hitachi vision around the globe. From engineering new sustainability solutions that conserve water and energy to creating the infrastructure for the smart cities of tomorrow, there’s no challenge too great for our pioneers. And there’s no shortage of opportunities for you to make a difference. Come and experience the dynamic, collaborative and creative environments where your ideas are welcome and new discoveries are waiting. To help you grow to your full potential, we strive to support our employees in their career aspirations and promote the freedom to explore new horizons.