Head of Software

Wabtec; München; On-site; EUR 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Wabtec Corporation, a global leader in rail technology, seeks a Head of Software to define and drive the global software, cybersecurity, AI, and platform strategy. You will lead a distributed engineering organization across regions to accelerate product development and innovation.

The role focuses on building standard platforms, advancing AI adoption, and improving engineering productivity while managing budgets and partnering with executives and customers.

Qualifications

• Degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or related field; PhD is a plus.
• 15+ years of software development experience, including 8+ years leading large teams.
• Experience leading international, distributed organizations across time zones and cultures.
• Fluent in German and English.
• Knowledge of rail standards (EN 50716/EN 50128, EN 50126, EN 50129) and SIL processes is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the global Software, Cybersecurity, AI, and Platform Strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Lead a global software engineering organization across multiple regions.
• Develop and govern common software platforms, architectures, and reusable assets to increase standardization, product reuse, and engineering productivity.
• Improve development efficiency and organizational effectiveness through automation, AI, modern engineering practices, and platform-based development.
• Ensure successful delivery of software-intensive products with regard to quality, safety, cybersecurity, cost, and schedule.

Skills

Fluent in German and English

Leadership experience

Strategic thinker

Embedded and system software expertise

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Degree in computer science or related field

PhD a plus

Job description

• Job Family: Application Software Engineering

Job Description

Wabtec Corporation is a global leader in equipment, systems, digital solutions, and value-added services for the freight and transit rail industry.

TheANNAX Grouphas been part of Wabtec Corporation since 2018 and operates across three locations in Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and China with over 360 employees. ANNAX provides comprehensive technical solutions to generate, transmit, and display information. Our system solutions for the rail industry include the ANNAX Passenger Information System, which integrates numerous subsystems such as seat reservation, passenger counting, video surveillance, information for visually and hearing-impaired passengers, infotainment/entertainment systems, and more.

The Head of Software leads the global software team and is responsible for defining and executing the global strategy for software, cybersecurity, AI, and software platforms across the passenger information solutions portfolio. The role drives innovation while improving engineering efficiency, accelerating product development, and enabling sustainable business growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and execute the global Software, Cybersecurity, AI, and Platform Strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Lead a global software engineering organization across multiple regions.
• Develop and govern common software platforms, architectures, and reusable assets to increase standardization, product reuse, and engineering productivity.
• Improve development efficiency and organizational effectiveness through automation, AI, modern engineering practices, and platform-based development.
• Ensure successful delivery of software-intensive products with regard to quality, safety, cybersecurity, cost, and schedule.
• Define and govern the product cybersecurity strategy, including risk management, compliance, and security-by-design principles.
• Accelerate the adoption of AI to enhance products, engineering productivity, and operational performance.
• Build a high-performance engineering culture and develop organizational capabilities and leadership talent.
• Manage strategic technology investments, resources, and budgets to maximize business value.
• Partner with executive leadership, customers, and key stakeholders to advance the company's technology, innovation, and growth objectives.

Key Qualifications

• Degree in computer science, electrical engineering, related field; PhD a plus
• 15+ years of software development experience, including 8+ years leading large teams
• Experience leading international, distributed organizations across time zones and cultures
• Deep expertise in embedded and system software (C/C++, or Rust, safe operating systems, HW/SW integration)
• Fluent in German and English
• Experience in the rail industry (rolling stock, signalling or infrastructure) or a comparable software development environment with strong regulatory, compliance, or certification requirements is considered an advantage.
• Knowledge of rail standards (EN 50716/EN 50128, EN 50126, EN 50129) and experience with SIL 2/3/4 development and approval processes nice to have
• Strategic thinker with a hands-on mindset – able to challenge architecture decisions on solid grounds
• Inspiring leader who develops talent and empowers teams
• Clear communicator at every level, from engineers to the board
• Entrepreneurial mindset and a passion for change

Legal authorization to work in EU is required. We will not sponsor individuals for employment visas, now or in the future, for this job opening.

Please note that we do not accept agency candidate submissions without a formalized agreement with Wabtec Talent Acquisition. If you are an agency/third party Recruiter and have not been engaged by Wabtec for this search, we do not owe you a fee if you submit a candidate to the applicant tracking system that is ultimately hired.

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Additional Information

What could you accomplish in a place that puts People First?

At Wabtec, it’s not just about a job - it’s about the impact you make. When our people come together, we’re Expanding the Possible by continuously improving what we do and how we do it - for our clients and each other.

If you’re ready to revolutionize how the world moves for future generations, Wabtec is the place for you.

Who are we?

Wabtec is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions, and value-added services for the freight and transit rail sectors. Drawing on more than 150 years of experience, we are leading the way in safety, efficiency, reliability, innovation, and productivity. Whether it’s freight, transit, ports, logistics, mining, industrial, or marine, our expertise, technologies, and people together – are accelerating the future of transportation. With roots that date back to George Westinghouse, Thomas Edison, and Louis Faiveley, Wabtec has always built technologies and implemented solutions for a variety of sectors that are critical to meeting the needs of customers and governments alike.

Our global team of about 30,000 employees worldwide delivers performance that moves the world forward. We’re lifelong learners, obsessed with better. Learn more at www.WabtecCorp.com.

Culture powers us and the possibilities.

We believe the best ideas come from a mix of experiences and backgrounds. At Wabtec, we strive every day to create a place where everyone belongs. We’re building a culture where leadership, inclusion and your unique perspective fuel progress.

We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome talent of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities, including race, gender, age, disability, veteran status and more.

Need accommodation? Just let us know - we’ve got you.

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