Hitachi in Austria is a full system provider and global supplier of train control technology and traffic management systems (e.g. European Train Control System (ETCS), Electronic interlockings, Operation Control Centers and dispatching systems, field elements).
Shape the Future of Railway Signaling and Digital Rail Solutions
We are looking for an experienced and inspiring Head of Product Development to lead our multidisciplinary engineering organization across Austria, Hungary, and the Balkan region.
In this key leadership role, you will be responsible for more than 100 highly skilled engineers and experts, driving the development, maintenance, and evolution of safety-critical railway technologies ranging from established signaling systems to modern cloud-native platforms. You will lead a diverse organization that combines deep railway domain expertise, software, hardware, cybersecurity and systems engineering to deliver innovative and reliable solutions for rail operators. Is this exactly the challenge you are looking for? Then join us now at Hitachi Rail in Austria!
YOUR RESONSIBILITIES
As Head of Product Development, you will have end to end leadership responsibility for the following departments:
Product Design and Requirements Management
SW Development (safety critical and non-safety critical)
Cloud Platform Development
Engineering Tools & Toolchain Development
Hardware Development
Solution Integration & End-to-End System Integration
Cybersecurity Engineering
YOU WILL
Define and execute the product development and engineering strategy for the region
Lead, inspire, and develop a multicultural organization
Establish a high-performance engineering culture focused on innovation, quality, accountability, and collaboration
Balance long-term product evolution with operational delivery commitments
Drive modernization initiatives across a broad technology landscape, from legacy railway interfaces and long-life-cycle systems to cloud-native architectures, and modern software engineering practices
Ensure compliance with railway industry standards, safety regulations, and cybersecurity requirements
Oversee resource planning, organizational development, budgeting, and talent management
Foster close collaboration with product management, operations, certification bodies, customers, and international engineering teams
Lead the maintenance and continuous improvement of a mature product portfolio, including systems built upon a 30-year engineering heritage
WHAT YOU BRING
Leadership:
Several years of successful leadership experience in a large engineering organization.
Proven ability to lead leaders, managers, and multidisciplinary teams within an international environment.
Strong people leadership skills with a passion for coaching, mentoring, and developing talent.
Experience managing organizational change, transformation, and growth.
Technical Expertise:
You combine leadership excellence with strong technical credibility.
Broad engineering background covering software, hardware, systems engineering, or safety-critical product development.
Experience working with complex product ecosystems spanning both legacy and modern technologies.
Understanding of safety-critical development environments, ideally within railway, aerospace, automotive, industrial automation, or similar regulated industries.
Knowledge of cloud technologies, modern software architectures, cybersecurity principles, and large-scale system integration.
Personal Skills:
Exceptional communication and stakeholder management capabilities.
Ability to build trust across cultures, disciplines, and organizational boundaries.
Strategic thinker with strong execution capabilities.
High degree of ownership, resilience, and decision-making ability.
Comfortable navigating both executive-level discussions and deep technical challenges
The ideal candidate is not only an outstanding engineering leader but also an exceptional people leader who can unite diverse teams, modernize technology landscapes, and drive innovation while maintaining the highest levels of safety, quality, and customer focus
WE OFFER
Very good accessibility by public transport (Vienna Handelskai) & subsidies for public transport
Flexible working hours and, depending on the position, up to 60% home office
Hitachi Rail gives you holidays on Christmas (24.12) and New Year's Eve (31.12)
Discounts for employees (canteen, shops, corporate benefits, tickets, etc.)
Various training opportunities - online, internal and external training courses
A stable employer in a collegial and international environment
Details about this job
Full Time (Permanent employment)
- Monday to Friday
- 38,5 hours
Place of work
- Wien
Must-have skills
- leadership experience in a large engineering organization
- engineering background
- complex product ecosystems
- safety-critical development environments
- cloud technologies
- modern software architectures
- cybersecurity principles
- large-scale system integration
Details about this job
Full Time (Permanent employment)
- Monday to Friday
- 38,5 hours
Place of work
- Wien
Must-have skills
- leadership experience in a large engineering organization
- engineering background
- complex product ecosystems
- safety-critical development environments
- cloud technologies
- modern software architectures
- cybersecurity principles
- large-scale system integration
Salary
The salary for this position starts at € 95.000 gross p.a. Actual compensation is based on experience and qualification.
Benefits
-
Good transportation connections
-
very good accessibility by public transport (Vienna Handelskai)
-
Transportation allowance
-
subsidies for public transport
-
Flexible working hours
-
Home office
-
depending on the position, up to 60% home office
-
Employee discounts
-
Discounts for employees (canteen, shops, corporate benefits, tickets, etc.)
-
Meal allowance
-
Education and training
-
Various training opportunities - online, internal and external training courses
-
Good transportation connections
-
very good accessibility by public transport (Vienna Handelskai)
-
Transportation allowance
-
subsidies for public transport
-
Flexible working hours
-
Home office
-
depending on the position, up to 60% home office
-
Employee discounts
-
Discounts for employees (canteen, shops, corporate benefits, tickets, etc.)
-
Meal allowance
-
Education and training
-
Various training opportunities - online, internal and external training courses
All infos regarding your application
Reference number:
R0146598-1
WHO WE ARE
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.
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.
Start your journey here.
Visit our career page!
