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Critical Software

Company type	Privately held
Industry	Safety and mission-critical software
Founded	1998
Founder	João Carreira (CEO) Gonçalo Quadros (Chairman) Diamantino Costa
Headquarters	Portugal, US, UK and Germany
Products	Xception Beyond Logistics Oversee Karvel WOW SMITEn EyeCommand Cobot
Revenue	€125M (2025)
Number of employees	1400+ (2025)
Website	criticalsoftware.com

Critical Software is a global technology company, specialising in software systems and engineering services for safety-, mission- and business-critical applications. Founded in 1998 as a spin-off from the University of Coimbra’s technology transfer centre, the company has expanded internationally with offices in Portugal, the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States and employs more than 1,400 professionals. Its solutions serve demanding sectors including aerospace, automotive, defence, energy, finance, government, insurance, medical devices, railway and space. Critical Software holds high quality and process certifications including CMMI® Level 5 and delivers systems that operate at the highest standards of performance and reliability across global markets.^[1]

Critical Software’s core competencies encompass full-lifecycle systems engineering and software development for high-assurance domains. Capabilities include embedded and real-time systems, safety and mission-critical software development, systems integration, AI, cybersecurity, digital transformation, independent verification and validation, testing services and safety management. The company applies rigorous engineering practices to ensure reliable operation in contexts where failure is not an option, from aerospace avionics to smart energy networks and telecom infrastructure.

Critical Software delivers solutions at scale across industries where reliability, safety and performance are core requirements. The following examples illustrate the company’s role as a technology partner for leading organisations and how its engineering and digital capabilities create measurable impact: 

Legacy Code Comprehension and Modernisation (CoBot)

Financial Services and Enterprise Clients – Critical’s CoBot product addresses one of the most entrenched challenges in enterprise IT: understanding and modernising Cobol and other legacy environments. CoBot acts as an AI-powered assistant that interprets legacy code in natural language, produces architectural visualisations and code maps, and supports risk-aware transformation strategies for modern platforms. This reduces risk, accelerates technical decisions and provides enterprise clients with actionable insights into decades-old codebases.

Space Systems Software for Joint Missions

Airbus Defence & Space – Solar Orbiter Mission – Critical Software was selected by Airbus Defence & Space to specify, develop and test key elements of the on-board central software for the Solar Orbiter spacecraft, supporting mission-critical functions such as altitude and orbit control and payload management. Development and verification adhered to rigorous aerospace safety standards (DAL-B), underpinning real-time operational reliability for this joint European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA mission. 

Systems Engineering Across Aerospace and Defence

Airbus Defence & Space, Thales Alenia Space and Other Aerospace Partners – In systems and software development engagements, Critical Software has contributed expertise in design, implementation, integrated verification and validation across multiple programs. Client feedback highlights the company’s technical competence and ability to meet milestone commitments under challenging conditions, reinforcing long-term engineering partnerships. 

Railway Interoperability and Safety (ETCS + STM)

Portuguese Railway Modernisation – Critical Software developed a pioneering ETCS + STM (Specific Transmission Module) solution in partnership with Hitachi Rail and infrastructure partners, designed to enable phased migration from legacy signalling (CONVEL) to the European Train Control System. Tested across a broad range of rolling stock, including units from Stadler, Medway and Alpha Trains, this product enhances safety, increases operational flexibility and supports certification targets ahead of full deployment.

Defence Command & Control Systems

National Defence Agencies – Critical Software has delivered NATO-compatible command and control suites and integrated defence systems serving European defence clients. These platforms enhance battlefield situational awareness, mobility of operations and decision-making under mission constraints, illustrating the company’s systems engineering depth in high-stakes defence contexts.

Financial Sector Digital Modernisation

Banks and Payment Networks – Critical Software works with a range of financial institutions to modernise legacy platforms, embed AI-driven capabilities for risk and compliance, and support digital banking transformation. Client engagements often emphasise increased process efficiency, compliance with regulatory standards, and the creation of digital-first customer experiences. 

These cases typify Critical Software’s ability to deliver technology that not only meets technical specifications but also drives operational improvements and strategic value for internationally recognised clients. Projects span artificial intelligence, real-time systems, embedded software, digital transformation and safety-critical applications across regulated sectors.

Critical Software operates under internationally recognised quality, safety and security standards, reflecting its focus on high-assurance engineering and regulated industries. The company’s certifications underpin its ability to deliver systems where reliability, safety and compliance are non-negotiable.

Quality and Process Maturity

Critical Software is appraised at CMMI® Level 5,^[2] the highest maturity level of the Capability Maturity Model Integration, covering development, services and acquisition. This certification places the company among a limited group of organisations worldwide recognised for optimised, continuously improving engineering and management processes.

Information Security and Data Protection

The company is certified under ISO/IEC 27001 for Information Security Management Systems, ensuring structured protection of sensitive information and robust risk management across projects and internal operations. This is particularly relevant for defence, finance, government and critical infrastructure clients.

Quality Management Systems

Critical Software holds ISO 9001 certification, confirming the implementation of consistent quality management practices across its global operations, from project delivery to customer support and continuous improvement.

Safety-Critical and Regulated Domains

Across specific projects and business units, Critical Software applies and complies with domain-specific standards, including but not limited to:

• EN 50128 / CENELEC standards for railway software systems

• DO-178C / DO-254 practices for airborne systems and avionics

• IEC 61508 for functional safety in industrial and embedded systems

• ISO 13485-aligned processes for medical device software verification and validation

These certifications and standards enable Critical Software to operate credibly in aerospace, railway, automotive, medical devices, defence and other highly regulated sectors, supporting certification-ready delivery and long-term client trust.

Critical Software anchors a broader technology ecosystem that comprises strategic ventures and spin-out companies. The ecosystem^[3] includes specialized technology Joint Ventures that enhance industrial innovation and market reach:

• Critical TechWorks – A joint venture with the BMW Group focused on automotive software innovation. Established to build advanced digital systems for future vehicle platforms and integrated mobility solutions, Critical TechWorks combines Critical Software’s agile engineering culture with BMW’s automotive leadership. 

• Critical FlyTech – A joint venture with Airbus launched to develop high-assurance embedded software and digital solutions for the aerospace industry. With offices in Portugal, this venture supports Airbus and affiliated entities in domains such as avionics, cabin technologies and next-generation connectivity systems. The joint venture is majority-owned by Airbus and reflects a strategic investment in aerospace software excellence. 

In addition to these anchored ventures, Critical’s ecosystem includes graduated and market amplifier companies in manufacturing software, cybersecurity, automation and AI-driven enterprise solutions.

• Official site
• Critical Software S.A., BusinessWeek
• Achievements Small & Medium Sized Enterprises, European Space Agency
• Critical Software Shows Portugal Can Grow, Forbes
• Critical Software – Pioneers, Up Magazine