Lead Automotive Software Architect

Placements24; Randfontein; On-site; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Generous paid time off and holidays

Professional development opportunities

State-of-the-art facilities in Rustern

Rustenburg location

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Automotive Software Architect in Rustenburg, North West, SA. You will drive the architecture of in-vehicle software, guide a team of engineers, and shape the lifecycle from concept to deployment for advanced ECUs and infotainment systems.

The role requires deep embedded systems knowledge, RTOS, CAN/LIN, Automotive Ethernet, and AUTOSAR experience, with a focus on secure, scalable software and leadership in an Agile environment.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of software development experience with at least 5 years in automotive software architecture.
• Proven experience designing and architecting complex embedded automotive systems.
• In-depth knowledge of RTOS, CAN, LIN, Automotive Ethernet, and diagnostics.
• Experience with AUTOSAR or similar automotive software frameworks.
• Strong understanding of software security in embedded contexts.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with Agile development methodologies.
• Familiarity with ISO 26262 safety standards is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in C/C++ programming languages.

Responsibilities

• Define and document the overall software architecture for ECUs and infotainment systems.
• Lead and mentor a team of software engineers, providing technical guidance.
• Establish and enforce software development best practices and design patterns.
• Oversee selection and integration of software components, middleware, and OS.
• Collaborate with hardware, systems, and product managers to align architecture.
• Design robust, scalable, and secure software solutions for automotive apps.
• Conduct architectural and code reviews and performance analysis.
• Identify and mitigate technical risks throughout the lifecycle.
• Stay current with industry trends and AUTOSAR standards.
• Ensure compliance with ISO 26262 where applicable.

Skills

C/C++

RTOS

AUTOSAR

CAN

Automotive Ethernet

Software architecture

Leadership

Agile

Education

Master's or PhD in CS/EE

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a pioneer in automotive technology, is seeking an experienced Lead Automotive Software Architect to spearhead the design and development of cutting-edge in-vehicle software systems. This crucial role is based in Rustenburg, North West, and requires a hands‑on approach to defining software architecture, frameworks, and strategies for complex automotive applications. You will lead a talented team of software engineers, guiding them through the entire software development lifecycle, from concept to deployment. This position demands a deep understanding of embedded systems, real‑time operating systems (RTOS), automotive communication protocols (e.g., CAN, Ethernet), and software security principles. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional leadership qualities, a strong technical background, and a passion for innovation in the automotive sector. You will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of connected and autonomous vehicles.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and document the overall software architecture for automotive electronic control units (ECUs) and infotainment systems.
• Lead and mentor a team of software engineers, providing technical guidance and fostering a collaborative development environment.
• Establish and enforce software development best practices, coding standards, and design patterns.
• Oversee the selection and integration of software components, middleware, and operating systems.
• Collaborate closely with hardware engineers, systems engineers, and product managers to ensure alignment of software architecture with system requirements.
• Design and implement robust, scalable, and secure software solutions for automotive applications.
• Conduct architectural reviews, code reviews, and performance analysis to ensure quality and efficiency.
• Identify and mitigate technical risks throughout the software development lifecycle.
• Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and automotive software standards (e.g., AUTOSAR).
• Ensure compliance with automotive safety standards (e.g., ISO 26262) where applicable.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in software development, with at least 5 years in automotive software architecture.
• Proven experience designing and architecting complex embedded systems for automotive applications.
• In‑depth knowledge of RTOS, automotive communication protocols (CAN, LIN, Automotive Ethernet), and diagnostics.
• Experience with AUTOSAR or similar automotive software frameworks.
• Strong understanding of software security principles and practices in an embedded context.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with Agile development methodologies.
• Familiarity with functional safety standards (ISO 26262) is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in C/C++ programming languages.

Benefits

• Highly competitive annual salary of R .
• Opportunity to lead innovative projects at the forefront of automotive technology.
• Work with a talented and passionate team of engineers.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off and holiday schedule.
• Professional development opportunities and conference attendance.
• State‑of‑the‑art facilities in Rustenburg, North West.