Automotive Battery Systems Engineer - Nelspruit

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Placements24 in Mpumalanga seeks an Automotive Battery Systems Engineer for a hybrid role in Nelspruit. You will design, develop, integrate, and test battery systems for EV/HEV applications, focusing on pack design, thermal management, and BMS integration.

The ideal candidate has a strong foundation in electrical engineering and battery technology, with hands-on lab work and cross-functional collaboration. This role offers growth in a sustainable mobility-focused company.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering field.
• Minimum 5 years in automotive battery systems.
• Strong knowledge of Li-ion chemistry, pack design, and thermal management.
• Experience with BMS hardware and software.
• MATLAB/Simulink modeling experience.
• Familiarity with CAN and automotive diagnostics.
• Knowledge of safety testing procedures for automotive batteries.
• Excellent analytical and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop battery pack architectures.
• Integrate and validate BMS hardware/software.
• Develop thermal management strategies for packs.
• Test performance, safety, and reliability of battery systems.
• Analyze data to identify issues and improvements.
• Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, and software engineers on system integration.
• Ensure regulatory safety compliance (ECE R100).
• Create design docs, test reports, and specifications.

Skills

Battery systems

EV/HEV

Thermal management

BMS integration

MATLAB/Simulink

CAN protocol

Diagnostics tools

Analytical skills

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Chemical Engineering

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a key player in the burgeoning electric vehicle (EV) market, is seeking a talented Automotive Battery Systems Engineer for their facility in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. This hybrid role involves hands-on work in the lab and office-based design and analysis. You will be responsible for the design, development, integration, and testing of advanced battery systems for next-generation electric and hybrid vehicles. This includes battery pack design, thermal management, Battery Management System (BMS) integration, and ensuring safety and performance standards are met. The ideal candidate has a strong foundation in electrical engineering, electrochemistry, and thermal dynamics, with specific experience in EV battery technology. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the electrification of transport within a company committed to sustainability and innovation. You will work within a multidisciplinary team of engineers dedicated to creating high-performance, reliable battery solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop battery pack architectures, including cell arrangement, module design, and interconnects.
• Integrate and validate Battery Management Systems (BMS) to ensure safe and efficient battery operation.
• Develop and implement thermal management strategies for battery packs to maintain optimal operating temperatures.
• Conduct performance, safety, and reliability testing of battery systems under various conditions.
• Analyze battery performance data and diagnostic information to identify potential issues and areas for improvement.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., electrical, mechanical, software engineers) on system integration.
• Ensure compliance with automotive safety standards and regulations for battery systems (e.g., ECE R100).
• Create detailed design documentation, test reports, and technical specifications.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in battery chemistry, materials and technologies.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in battery systems engineering, with a focus on automotive applications (EV/HEV).
• Strong understanding of battery cell chemistries (e.g., Li-ion), pack design principles, and thermal management.
• Experience with Battery Management Systems (BMS) hardware and software.
• Proficiency in simulation tools (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink) for battery modeling and analysis.
• Knowledge of automotive communication protocols (CAN) and diagnostic tools.
• Familiarity with safety standards and testing procedures for automotive batteries.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and experimental design skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration abilities.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits package including medical aid and retirement fund, and significant opportunities for professional development in the rapidly growing field of electric mobility. This hybrid role offers a balance of on-site collaboration and flexible remote work. Employees benefit from innovation challenges and exposure to cutting-edge EV technology. Join a forward-thinking company dedicated to sustainable transportation solutions.