Systems Design Specialist- Senior

Hitachi Vantara Corporation; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology company in Toronto is hiring a Signaling Design Specialist - Senior. The role involves system and signaling design, analysis, and simulation for communication-based train control systems. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, experience with software systems, and knowledge of modern engineering practices. The position is hybrid, offering mentorship opportunities for junior engineers while ensuring adherence to safety and design standards.

Qualifications

• 4-10 years' experience in developing software-based system applications.
• Knowledge of modern software engineering practices and methods.
• Medium-level expertise in URS Systems with CBTC domain experience.

Responsibilities

• Performs technical tasks to define application databases for software subsystems.
• Conducts analysis and simulations for design feasibility.
• Mentors junior engineers and reviews their work.

Skills

Signaling Principles

Data Requirements

Block Design

Interlocking Control tables

Safe Braking model

Performance analysis

Technical writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

DOORS

Polarion

Melody Advance

Job description

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.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Hybrid)

We are hiring a Signaling Design Specialist - Senior for our Toronto office. The Signaling Design Specialist – Senior will, among other responsibilities, perform system design, signaling design, analysis, modelling, and simulation to specify communication‑based train control systems; develop and define system design features to meet Customer requirements; develop and define System, Subsystems and Data requirements to fulfil any specific customer requirements on the project; develop block design, interlocking control tables, and application database for Software subsystems; analyse and evaluate system performance and prepare associated technical contract deliverables.

The incumbent is accountable for performing the design work correctly, within cost and schedule limits, as defined in approved work packages. As a Senior Resource, the incumbent can mentor more junior resources and provide guidance on complex topics. As needed, the incumbent will seek guidance from more senior resources in the team for very complex activities.

The work is typically defined by the Work Package Manager and assigned to the system/signalling engineers. The System/signalling Engineer typically works with a team of engineers to define the requirements/design for the project under the technical supervision of the System/Signalling Design Lead. As a signalling engineer, there is a focus on the development of the data‑related requirements and producing a database for the system.

Key Accountabilities

TECHNICAL

• Performs technical/engineering tasks to define application databases for software subsystems.
• Conducts analysis and simulations as necessary to identify design feasibility and driving requirements.
• Prepares specialised signalling design skills, covering one or more of the following:
  • Signalling Principles
  • Data Requirements
  • Block Design
  • Interlocking Control tables
  • Safe Braking model
  • Performance analysis and Headway simulations
  • Application Database design

• Delivers the project guideway application data, signal plan, crossover coordinates, track maps, and guideway database to software groups.
• Ensures the signalling design is implemented in accordance with applicable standards and signalling principles.
• Analyses train characteristics and safety requirements to define the safe braking model.
• Converts Customer (internal and/or external) requirements into conceptual designs and prepares associated documentation by performing operational analyses, simulations, and technical trade‑off studies evaluating alternative design configurations and functional features.
• Creates new concepts or modifies existing concepts to fulfil customer requirements.
• Prepares system, subsystem, and interface requirement specifications by analysing, decomposing, modelling, and refining customer requirements and typical train control domain requirements.
• Prepares and supports bids and proposals, including customer requirements compliance assessment, gap analysis, architecture design, simulation, trade‑off of key features, estimation, etc.
• Presents technical design and reports to customers and/or other engineering/management groups in clear, complete, concise, and non‑ambiguous terms.
• Proposes updates of processes and standards covering the work and its products based on knowledge of systems engineering and/or technical specialty.
• Evaluates operational design limits, defines performance analyses and simulations, and develops/provides outputs for system evaluation and improvement.
• Interfaces and builds strong working relationships with Software, Hardware, and IVVQ groups to ensure timely analysis and resolution of in‑house and field test issues.

SAFETY

• Promotes a safety culture where product safety is paramount.
• Ensures that safety is built into the design by early identification and resolution of safety‑related defects.

MANAGEMENT

• Mentors more junior Signalling Engineers, coaching them on deliverables preparation and reviewing their work.
• Contributes to work package estimates and descriptions based on the knowledge of the work and project requirements.

Key Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (Systems, Electrical, Computer), Computer Science, or a closely related field.
• 4‑10 years' experience in the development of software‑based system applications.
• Knowledge of modern software engineering practices, methods, and tools.
• Knowledge of systems development life cycle.
• Medium‑level expertise in URS (Urban Rail Signalling) Systems:
  • Minimum 5 years on systems of similar complexity.
  • Intermediate level of expertise on specialised engineering skills of the CBTC (Communication‑Based Train Control) domain.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in using DOORS, Polarion, Melody Advance, or other system design and requirement management tools.
• Knowledge of systems engineering principles and practices.
• Experience in the development of databases used for software development.
• Experience in developing/reviewing test scenarios and/or procedures to test database implementation.
• Understanding of the use of tools to create/verify data for safety‑critical systems.
• Rail signalling knowledge.
• Experience mentoring other engineers.
• Strong planning and organisational skills.
• Excellent technical writing, communication, and presentation skills.

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.