---
title: 'Backend Software Engineer II at Parallel Systems'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/backend-software-engineer-ii-parallel-systems-los-angeles-f2m0m4fyanpf'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-17'
---

# Backend Software Engineer II at Parallel Systems

- **Company:** Parallel Systems
- **Location:** Los Angeles, CA
- **Compensation:** $122k–$167k
- **Posted:** 2026-10-06
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-17
- **Apply:** https://boards.greenhouse.io/parallel/jobs/5259777007?gh_jid=5259777007

## Job description

Parallel Systems is pioneering autonomous battery-electric rail vehicles designed to transform freight transportation by shifting portions of the $900 billion U.S. trucking industry onto rail. Our innovative technology offers cleaner, safer, and more efficient logistics solutions. Join our dynamic team and help shape a smarter, greener future for global freight.

Backend Software Engineer II

Parallel Systems is seeking a Software Engineer II to help build the train control software that lets our autonomous rail vehicles operate safely on the rail network. You'll work on the backend systems, written primarily in Rust, that model how trains are authorized to move: movement authorities, bulletins, switches, and signals, implemented in our system as motion rules and Parallel blocks.

This is a hands-on role with a clear growth path. You'll start by closing edge cases in our existing train control logic, move on to owning new features end to end (from reading railroad specs through technical design, backend, and UI changes), and grow into a core contributor on our path to supporting Positive Train Control (PTC). Prior rail experience is not required; curiosity and a willingness to learn a deep domain are.

Responsibilities:

- Implement and extend backend features for critical train control applications, adding support for new train control concepts with guidance from senior engineers.
- Develop and maintain system-level software written primarily in Rust.
- Improve the reliability and correctness of existing code by finding and fixing edge cases in train control logic.
- Write and test code that meets our safety, security, and compliance standards.
- Debug and diagnose issues in simulation and on real hardware, escalating complex problems when needed.
- Participate in code reviews and technical discussions and help write technical specs for the features you build.

What Success Looks Like:

- After 30 days: You understand the core concepts behind train control (movement authorities, bulletins, switches, and signals) and how they're implemented technically in our system through motion rules and Parallel blocks. You've added support for one or two missing edge cases in train control.
- After 60 days: You've added support for a new train control feature, such as movement authorities that are only valid depending on the movement of other trains. You analyzed the requirements from specs, wrote a technical spec covering the necessary backend and UI changes, and implemented them in our codebase. You've also begun learning the concepts behind PTC and reading the associated specs.
- After 90 days: You've added support for several new train control features and have a solid understanding of the gap between what's required to support PTC and what exists in our system today.

Basic Requirements:

- Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
- 3+ years of experience in backend or systems-level software development.
- Experience in C, C++, Rust, or other systems programming languages.
- Proficiency with Linux environments, low-level system interactions, and memory management.

Preferred Qualifications:

- Experience with Rust in production or a strong desire to work with Rust.
- Experience in safety critical application spaces such as autonomous vehicles, industrial control equipment, or aerospace.
- Experience in or knowledge of rail control systems is greatly preferred.
- Familiarity with cloud-based architectures and containerized environments (Docker, Kubernetes).

We are committed to providing fair and transparent compensation in accordance with applicable laws. Salary ranges are listed below and reflect the expected range for new hires in this role, based on factors such as skills, experience, qualifications, and location. Final compensation may vary and will be determined during the interview process. The target hiring range for this position is listed below.

Target Salary Range: $122,000—$167,000 USD

Parallel Systems is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any discriminatory factor protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. We work to build an inclusive environment in which all people can come to do their best work.

Parallel Systems is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Parallel Systems will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact your recruiter.

## About Parallel Systems

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Parallel Systems develops autonomous, battery-electric rail vehicles to convert freight from truck to rail, enabling railroads to serve new markets with a cleaner, more flexible, and cost-effective alternative to short-haul trucking.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series B)
- **Headquarters**: Los Angeles, California, United States
- **Founded**: 2020
- **Founders**: Matt Soule (Founder and CEO)

## Core Business
- **Primary Industry**: Railroad Equipment Manufacturing, Autonomous Freight, Clean Logistics
- **Target Customers**: Railroads, freight operators, ports, distribution centers, and logistics companies (B2B, Enterprise)
- **Mission/Purpose**: To provide a safer, more efficient, and sustainable alternative to short-haul trucking by seamlessly integrating autonomous battery-electric rail vehicles with existing rail operations, decongesting highways, and reducing shipping costs and pollution.

## Products & Services
- **[Autonomous, Battery-Electric Rail System](https://moveparallel.com/product/)**: A fleet of self-propelled, autonomous rail vehicles designed to haul intermodal containers up to 500 miles on a single charge. Key features include:
  - **No couplers**: Vehicles self-sort and assemble into platoons, eliminating manual coupling and enabling instant rerouting.
  - **Platooning & Aerodynamics**: Patented technology yields unprecedented range and energy efficiency.
  - **Advanced Braking**: Self-contained, adaptive braking with automatic parking brakes for shorter stopping distances.
  - **Integrated Systems**: Software platform seamlessly integrates with existing railroad train control and business systems, providing real-time data via APIs.
- **Solutions for Rail**: New line hauls (city-to-city), port shuttles (reducing drayage), and direct-to-customer service (small-footprint terminals at warehouses).

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Not publicly disclosed
- **Key Metric**: Total Funding – **USD 91,349,995** ([LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/parallelsystems))
- **Funding History**:
  - Seed Round (June 2020): $3.8M – led by Congruent Ventures
  - Series A (Jan 2022): $49.5M – led by Anthos Capital
  - Series B (May 2025): $38.0M – led by Anthos Capital
- **Notable Investors**: Anthos Capital, Congruent Ventures
- **Growth Signals**:
  - Employee headcount grew **44.7% year-over-year** to 45 employees (as of mid-2025)
  - **First commercial pilot** launched in April 2025 after receiving Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) approval ([Pulse 2.0](https://www.linkedin.com/company/parallelsystems))
  - Currently in **second phase of testing on Genesee & Wyoming (G&W) in Georgia** ([Railway Age, July 2025](https://www.moveparallel.com/))
  - **14 active job postings** as of July 2025, with 75% year-over-year growth in listings

## Competitive Advantages
- **Autonomous, battery-electric technology** purpose-built for rail, offering a direct alternative to short-haul trucking (a massive market consuming 45 billion gallons of diesel annually).
- **No couplers** – enables instant, automated rerouting and packetized freight, greatly improving operational flexibility compared to traditional trains.
- **Long range (500 miles) on one hour of charge** via patented platooning aerodynamics.
- **Seamless integration** with existing railroad systems, reducing adoption barriers.
- **Small footprint** allows direct service to warehouse docks and small terminals, unlocking new low-density, short-haul lanes.

## Strategic Focus
- **Commercial deployment**: Moving from testing to revenue-generating pilot operations with partner railroads.
- **Scaling manufacturing and operations**: Growing the team (especially engineering and sales) to support commercial expansion.
- **Expanding market share**: Target shorter and lower density routes currently dominated by trucking, while also enabling port shuttles and direct-to-customer rail service.
- **Sustainability-driven growth**: Position rail as a lower-emission, cost-competitive alternative to reduce the 7% of U.S. emissions from trucking.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: "A team of curious, committed problem-solvers" with a focus on inclusion, ownership, and technical excellence ([Greenhouse careers page](https://boards.greenhouse.io/parallel)).
- **Impact**: Directly influence the future of freight by building autonomous, clean rail technology that can decongest highways and cut pollution.
- **Engineering Focus**: 45% of employees are in technical roles (robotics, autonomy, ML, mechatronics) – a strong engineering-led environment.
- **Location**: Based in Los Angeles, CA (Factory Place), with a small presence in India.
- **Growth Trajectory**: Rapidly scaling (44.7% headcount growth, new Series B funding, commercial pilot underway) offering significant career development opportunities.
- **Notable alumni destinations**: SpaceX, Tesla, Vast, Rivian, Anduril – reflects a high-caliber talent pool.

## Sources
1. [Parallel Systems Website](https://www.moveparallel.com)
2. [Parallel Systems Careers (Greenhouse)](https://boards.greenhouse.io/parallel)
3. [LinkedIn Company Page](https://www.linkedin.com/company/parallelsystems)
4. [Parallel Systems Product Page](https://moveparallel.com/product/)
5. [Pulse 2.0 on Series B](https://www.linkedin.com/company/parallelsystems)

## Other roles at Parallel Systems

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- [PLM/ PDM Systems Architect](https://feeny.ai/job/plm-pdm-systems-architect-parallel-systems-los-angeles-4a93rsjx6q36) — Los Angeles, CA
- [Senior Manufacturing Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-manufacturing-engineer-parallel-systems-los-angeles-k8kgpgb10vd4) — Los Angeles, CA
- [Executive Assistant](https://feeny.ai/job/executive-assistant-parallel-systems-los-angeles-fxqj81m923a7) — Los Angeles, CA
- [Technical Documentation Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/technical-documentation-specialist-parallel-systems-los-angeles-8t0hx5pc2k51) — Los Angeles, CA
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