Systems Design Specialist- Senior

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Job ID: R1011307

Date Posted: 2026-07-07

Company Name: Hitachi Rail Canada Inc.

Profession (Job Category): Engineering & Science

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: 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 fulfill any specific customer requirements on the project; develop block design, interlocking control tables, and application database for Software subsystems; analyze 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/signaling engineers. The System/signaling Engineer typically works with a team of engineers to define the requirements/design for the project under the technical supervision of the System/Signaling Design Lead. As a signaling 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 specialized signaling design skills, covering one or more of the following:

  • Signaling 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 signaling design is implemented in accordance with applicable standards and signaling principles.

• Analyzes 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 fulfill customer requirements.

• Prepares system, subsystem, and interface requirement specifications by analyzing, decomposing, modeling, 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 Signaling 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 Signaling) Systems:

  • Minimum 5 years on systems of similar complexity
  • Intermediate level of expertise on specialized 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 signaling knowledge

• Experience mentoring other engineers

• Strong planning and organizational skills

• Excellent technical writing, communication, and presentation skills

Salary Range: $82,543-116,590

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 contribution and a match, and without vesting period

• Company paid holidays - 3 weeks of vacation, Holiday closure, personal emergency leave days and sick days

• Maternity/Parental/Adoption top up pay

• Annual Incentive plan

• Company provided Life Insurance, STD and Employee Assistance Plan

This posting relates to an existing vacancy.

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

Thank you for your interest in Hitachi Rail. If your application is of interest, we will be in contact. Please do not hesitate to discover more about us and our latest jobs at https://www.hitachirail.com/careers.

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.

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