Systems Architect - Device and Edge Software

At Rite-Hite, your work makes an impact. As the global leader in loading dock and door equipment, we design and deliver solutions that keep our customers safe, secure, and productive. Here, you’ll find innovation, stability, and the chance to grow your career as part of a team that’s always looking ahead. Rite-Hite is a global leader in industrial safety and efficiency solutions. As part of our digital transformation journey, we are seeking an innovative Device and Edge Software Architect to help build and scale connected, intelligent systems that drive real-time insights, operational efficiency, and customer value at multiple levels. The ideal candidate combines technical depth, business acumen, and technical leadership excellence to deliver best-in-class digital solutions that bridge software, hardware, and service workflows across global industrial environments. The Systems Architect, Device and Edge Software is responsible for defining and guiding the architecture of device-level, embedded, and edge software solutions that support connected and intelligent industrial products. This role ensures that software deployed on devices, controllers, sensors, and edge platforms is scalable, secure, reliable, and aligned with enterprise product and platform objectives. The architect partners closely with product management, engineering, and digital teams to translate business and customer requirements into robust technical foundations. These foundations enable consistent product behavior, efficient lifecycle management, and high-quality user experiences-- including IoT-enabled hybrid mobile applications—across a range of industrial environments. CORE RESPONSIBILITIES Architecture Strategy and Standards • Define and maintain reference architectures, design patterns, and technical standards for device, embedded, edge, and mobile-connected software. • Establish common approaches for firmware, edge applications, data handling, communications, and lifecycle management. • Ensure architectural decisions support scalability, reliability, safety, and security requirements. Innovation Leadership: • Drive the strategic use of AI and ML by establishing data feedback loops, AI/ML pipelines, and model lifecycle management—treating data as a product and AI as a platform differentiator. • Own a portion of the internal technology radar and innovation pipeline, regularly evaluating and incorporating transformative technologies. • Foster a culture of agile innovation, engineering excellence, and continuous learning. • Help build a culture of secure, ethical, and transparent technology practices—leading compliance with cybersecurity, privacy, and responsible AI frameworks. Product and Platform Enablement • Partner with product management and engineering teams to enable new and evolving connected product capabilities. • Guide architectural decisions related to embedded compute, edge processing, sensors, mobile-connected workflows, and advanced software features. • Promote reuse and consistency of software components across devices, edge platforms, and hybrid mobile applications. Integration and Interoperability • Define patterns for integration between device and edge software, hybrid mobile applications, and enterprise or cloud-based platforms. • Ensure solutions support a range of deployment models, including online, offline, and hybrid environments. • Promote interoperability with internal systems and third-party technologies where appropriate. Security, Safety, and Quality • Define secure-by-design architectural principles, including device identity, access control, and software update mechanisms. • Ensure alignment with applicable safety, quality, and industrial cybersecurity standards. • Participate in design and architecture reviews to assess risk, resilience, and compliance. Technical Leadership and Cross-Functional Collaboration • Collaborate across product management, software, hardware, manufacturing, service, IT, and mobile application development teams. • Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and guidance to engineers / engineering teams. • Influence architectural decisions through expertise, data, and collaboration rather than direct authority. • Partner with Product Management to translate market-defined requirements into scalable, maintainable, and extensible platform capabilities. • Partner with Product Management, Customer Success, and Field Service teams to ensure user-centric roadmap delivery. • Serve as the technical voice in strategic customer conversations and enterprise implementations. • Ensure strong integration between cloud software, IoT hardware, and connected products ecosystem. Supervisory Responsibilities • This role does not have direct reports but is expected to provide technical leadership and architectural guidance across multiple teams. QUALIFICATIONS Education & Experience: • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field required; Master’s degree preferred. • 8+ years of experience in embedded systems, firmware, device software, edge computing, or IoT-connected mobile application ecosystems, with demonstrated experience in architectural design or technical leadership roles. • Experience delivering software for industrial, connected, or safety-critical products preferred. Knowledge / Skill Requirements: • Strong understanding of embedded, edge, and IoT-connected mobile application architectures. • Experience designing systems that support hybrid mobile applications (online/offline, secure local connectivity, cloud synchronization). • Ability to think systemically across hardware, software, edge, and mobile boundaries. • Experience balancing innovation with scalability, reliability, and maintainability. • Strong communication skills and ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders. • Experience with industrial automation, connected products, or IoT ecosystems is a plus. • Expertise with machine learning, natural language platforms, and real-time inference frameworks. Leadership & Collaboration: • Visionary technical leader who can inspire cross-functional teams and align stakeholders to a shared product vision. • Exceptional communicator across technical and non-technical audiences. • Committed to data-driven decision-making and delivery excellence. Why Join Rite-Hite Digital Solutions? As a technology leader within a globally trusted industrial brand, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of connected safety, productivity, and automation solutions. Through the development of digital solutions, you will help thousands of customers digitize their operations, improve asset performance, and elevate service delivery. Join us to lead transformative innovation at the intersection of software, hardware, and real-world industrial impact. What We Offer At Rite-Hite, we take care of our people – because when you’re supported, you can do your best work. Our benefits are designed to support your health, your future and your life outside of work: • Health & Well-being: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus life and disability insurance. A robust well-being program with an opportunity to receive an extra day off and more. • Financial Security: A strong retirement savings program with 401(k), company match, and profit sharing. • Time for You: Paid holidays, vacation time, and personal/sick days each year. Join us and build a career where you’re supported – at work and beyond. Rite-Hite is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law. In accordance with VEVRAA, we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities for protected veterans. We are also committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace for the safety of our employees and customers.