Principal Automotive Systems Architect

Placements24; Klerksdorp; Hybride; ZAR 1 400 000 - 2 400 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Leading compensation package

Equity options

Top-tier health insurance

Remote work opportunity

Professional development

Résumé du poste

Placements24 is recruiting a Principal Automotive Systems Architect to define and oversee the architectural vision for next-generation vehicle platforms, spanning powertrain, ADAS, connectivity, and UX. This fully remote role anchors on high-impact system integration and robust cross-domain design.

You will lead technical teams, drive MBSE practices, ensure ISO 26262 compliance, and collaborate with suppliers and domain leads to deliver scalable, safe automotive architectures from a distributed

Qualifications

• 12+ years in automotive system engineering with architecture focus.
• Experience in electrification, autonomous driving, or ADAS.
• Knowledge of CAN, Ethernet, AUTOSAR, and software development processes.

Responsabilités

• Define and evolve system architecture for next-generation automotive platforms.
• Develop detailed system designs with hardware, software, interfaces between domains.
• Lead technology selection and supplier decisions.
• Collaborate with domain leads, architects, engineers, and PMs to ensure integrity.
• Identify and mitigate system-level risks and dependencies.
• Maintain system architecture documentation and diagrams.
• Drive innovation by evaluating new technologies for future architectures.
• Provide technical leadership to engineering teams in a remote environment.
• Oversee architectural changes across vehicle programs.

Connaissances

Architectural leadership

System architecture

MBSE experience

Remote collaboration

Formation

Master's or PhD in Electrical/Computer/Mechanical Eng

Outils

SysML/UML

MATLAB/Simulink

CAN/Ethernet/AUTOSAR

Description du poste

About the Role

Our client, a renowned innovator in automotive electrification and autonomous driving technologies, is seeking an exceptional Principal Automotive Systems Architect to join their elite, fully remote engineering division. This critical role involves defining and overseeing the architectural vision for complex vehicle systems, encompassing powertrain, ADAS, connectivity, and user experience. You will be responsible for translating high-level product requirements into detailed system architectures, ensuring seamless integration, scalability, and robustness. The ideal candidate possesses a profound understanding of automotive system engineering principles, cross-domain expertise, and a proven track record of architecting sophisticated automotive platforms. This position offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of mobility from a remote setting, collaborating with world-class engineers and contributing to groundbreaking technological advancements. The role is conceptually tied to Klerksdorp, North West, ZA, but is fully remote.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and evolve the overall system architecture for next-generation automotive platforms, ensuring alignment with product strategy and technical roadmaps.
• Develop detailed system designs, specifying hardware, software, communication protocols, and interfaces between various vehicle domains (e.g., powertrain, chassis, ADAS, infotainment).
• Lead the technical definition and selection of key technologies, components, and suppliers.
• Collaborate closely with domain leads, software architects, hardware engineers, and product managers to ensure architectural integrity and feasibility.
• Identify and mitigate system-level risks, challenges, and dependencies throughout the product lifecycle.
• Establish and maintain system architecture documentation, including diagrams, models, and specifications.
• Drive innovation by exploring and evaluating emerging technologies and their applicability to future vehicle architectures.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to engineering teams, fostering best practices in system design and integration.
• Oversee the architectural impact of changes and ensure consistency across different vehicle programs.

Requirements

• Master's degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 12 years of experience in automotive system engineering, with a significant focus on architecture design.
• Proven experience architecting complex automotive systems, including electrification, autonomous driving, or advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).
• Deep understanding of automotive architectures, communication protocols (CAN, Ethernet, AUTOSAR), and software development processes.
• Expertise in system modeling tools and methodologies (e.g., SysML, UML, MATLAB/Simulink).
• Strong knowledge of hardware/software co-design, functional safety (ISO 26262), and cybersecurity principles in the automotive context.
• Excellent leadership, strategic thinking, and communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex technical projects and guide cross-functional teams in a remote environment.
• Experience with model-based systems engineering (MBSE) is highly desirable.

Benefits

• This principal-level, fully remote position offers an exceptionally competitive compensation package, including a leading salary, significant bonus potential, and equity options.
• Comprehensive executive benefits, including top-tier health insurance, extensive retirement plans, and relocation assistance (if applicable, though not required for remote).
• You will have unparalleled autonomy and influence over the future of automotive technology, working with a globally distributed team of experts.
• Our client invests heavily in professional development, offering opportunities for advanced training, attending leading industry conferences, and pursuing research initiatives.
• Experience the ultimate flexibility of working remotely while driving monumental change in the automotive industry.