Lead Automotive Electrical Engineer

Placements24; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision

Bonuses

Training opportunities

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Travel opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Lead Automotive Electrical Engineer in Cape Town to drive advanced electrical systems development for automotive applications. You will lead a team, define architecture and ensure production readiness while maintaining regulatory compliance.

You will work with CAN/LIN/Ethernet, BMS and high-voltage systems, and collaborate closely with software, mechanical and product teams across projects.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in automotive electrical systems engineering with at least 2 years in a lead role.
• Extensive knowledge of automotive electrical architectures, CAN/LIN/Ethernet, and power electronics.
• Experience with Battery Management Systems (BMS) and high-voltage systems is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in schematic capture and PCB layout tools (e.g., Altium, Cadence).
• Strong embedded systems understanding and leadership abilities.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Familiarity with ISO 26262 functional safety is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of automotive electrical systems from concept to production.
• Manage and mentor a team of electrical engineers and foster innovation.
• Define system requirements, architecture, and specifications for electrical components.
• Oversee integration of electrical systems including power distribution and sensors.
• Develop and execute test plans including HIL testing and vehicle validation.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex electrical issues during development, testing and production.
• Collaborate with mechanical, software and product teams across projects.
• Stay updated on emerging automotive electrical technologies and best practices.
• Prepare technical reports, documentation and presentations for stakeholders.

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a cutting-edge automotive technology firm, is seeking an innovative Lead Automotive Electrical Engineer to spearhead their electrical systems development in Cape Town .

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of automotive electrical systems, from concept to production, ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
• Manage and mentor a team of electrical engineers, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Define system requirements, architecture, and specifications for electrical components and subsystems.
• Oversee the integration of electrical systems, including power distribution, sensor networks, actuators, and control modules.
• Develop and execute test plans for electrical systems, including simulation, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, and vehicle-level validation.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex electrical issues encountered during development, testing, and production phases.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including mechanical engineering, software development, and product management.
• Stay abreast of emerging automotive electrical technologies, trends, and best practices.
• Prepare technical reports, documentation, and presentations for management and project stakeholders.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in automotive electrical systems engineering, with at least 2 years in a leadership or lead role.
• Extensive knowledge of automotive electrical architectures, CAN/LIN/Ethernet communication protocols, and power electronics.
• Experience with Battery Management Systems (BMS) and high-voltage systems is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in schematic capture and PCB layout tools (e.g., Altium, Cadence).
• Strong understanding of embedded systems and microcontrollers.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate engineering teams.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively communicate technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Familiarity with automotive standards such as ISO 26262 (Functional Safety) is a plus.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Opportunity to work on groundbreaking automotive technologies in Cape Town .
• Access to advanced training programs and professional development.
• Generous paid time off and holidays.
• Retirement savings plan with company matching.
• A dynamic and inclusive work environment that values innovation and collaboration.
• Potential for international travel for conferences and supplier meetings.