Automotive Software Development Lead

Placements24; Centurion; Hybrid; ZAR 1,100,000 - 1,700,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Health insurance

Relocation assistance

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 seeks an Automotive Software Development Lead in Centurion, Gauteng to steer a team building in-vehicle infotainment, connectivity, and autonomous driving software. You’ll guide technical direction and drive delivery from concept to production in a fast-evolving automotive landscape.

You’ll mentor engineers, shape software architecture, and collaborate with product, hardware, and systems teams while championing best practices, Agile methods, and CI/CD within a compliant automotive

Qualifications

• 8+ years in software development with embedded automotive experience.
• 3+ years in technical leadership or team lead roles.
• Strong C/C++, embedded Linux, RTOS knowledge.
• Experience with AUTOSAR, CAN and SOME/IP.
• Familiarity with infotainment, ADAS, or autonomous driving stacks.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of software engineers in automotive software programs.
• Oversee end-to-end SDLC from planning to production deployment.
• Define best practices for code quality, maintainability and scalability.
• Collaborate with product, system, and hardware teams to define requirements and roadmaps.
• Drive innovation and CI/CD adoption while ensuring regulatory compliance.

Skills

Embedded software development

C/C++

Leadership

Software architecture

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science or related field

Electrical Engineering or Software Engineering background

Tools

AUTOSAR

CAN

SOME/IP

Embedded Linux

RTOS

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a pioneer in automotive technology, is seeking an experienced and visionary Automotive Software Development Lead to spearhead their software engineering initiatives in Centurion, Gauteng . This leadership role involves guiding a team of talented software engineers in the design, development, and implementation of sophisticated in-vehicle infotainment, connectivity, and autonomous driving systems. The ideal candidate will possess a strong technical background in embedded software development, a passion for innovation, and proven leadership capabilities. You will play a critical role in shaping the future of automotive software, driving projects from concept to production. This position offers an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact within a rapidly evolving industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of software engineers, fostering a collaborative and high-performance development environment.
• Oversee the entire software development lifecycle, including planning, architecture, coding, testing, and deployment of automotive software solutions.
• Define and implement best practices in software engineering, ensuring code quality, maintainability, and scalability.
• Collaborate with product managers, system architects, and hardware engineers to define software requirements and roadmaps.
• Drive innovation by exploring new technologies and methodologies to enhance automotive software capabilities.
• Manage project schedules, allocate resources, and ensure timely delivery of high-quality software components.
• Conduct code reviews, provide technical guidance, and facilitate problem-solving within the development team.
• Champion the adoption of agile development methodologies and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) practices.
• Ensure software compliance with automotive standards and safety regulations.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• At least 8 years of professional experience in software development, with a significant portion focused on embedded systems within the automotive industry.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in a technical leadership or team lead role, managing software development projects.
• Deep understanding of C/C++, embedded Linux, RTOS, and software architecture patterns relevant to automotive applications.
• Experience with automotive communication protocols (e.g., AUTOSAR, CAN, SOME/IP).
• Familiarity with infotainment systems, ADAS, or autonomous driving software stacks is highly desirable.
• Proven ability to lead and motivate a technical team, manage competing priorities, and deliver complex projects.
• Excellent problem-solving, debugging, and analytical skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for effective collaboration with stakeholders.

Benefits

Our client offers an attractive compensation package, including a competitive salary, performance bonuses, and stock options. Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance are provided. Opportunities for continuous learning and professional growth, including advanced training and conference attendance, are encouraged. Our client promotes a healthy work-life balance with flexible working arrangements. Relocation assistance may be provided. This exciting leadership role is based in the modern city of Centurion, Gauteng , offering a blend of professional challenges and a stimulating work environment.