Remote Automotive Software Architect

Placements24; Durban; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote work arrangement

Generous annual leave & flexible hours

Home office equipment stipend

Learning & development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a seasoned Remote Automotive Software Architect to lead the overall software architecture for next-generation in-vehicle infotainment, ADAS, and autonomous driving platforms. You will define components, interfaces, and data flows across ECUs, collaborating with hardware and systems engineers in a distributed, remote setting.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in software development with at least 5 years in automotive software architecture, deep knowledge of embedded RTOS

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years of software development, with at least 5 years in automotive software architecture.
• Deep knowledge of embedded systems, RTOS (QNX, Linux), and automotive SDLC.
• Strong understanding of CAN, LIN, and Automotive Ethernet.
• Experience with automotive cybersecurity principles and cloud integration.
• Proficient in architectural design and documentation (UML).
• Proven ability to work independently in a remote, asynchronous team.

Responsibilities

• Design and document software architectures for ECUs and system-level software.
• Define components, interfaces, and communication strategies across automotive systems.
• Evaluate technologies, frameworks, and development methodologies.
• Ensure architecture supports AUTOSAR and ISO 26262 standards.
• Collaborate with hardware, software, and systems engineers in a remote setting.
• Provide technical leadership to software teams.
• Identify and mitigate architectural risks and dependencies.
• Develop proofs-of-concept and prototypes to validate designs.
• Contribute to automotive software standards and best practices.
• Maintain architectural documentation for distributed team.

Skills

Embedded systems

RTOS

Automotive Ethernet

CAN/LIN

Cloud integration

Architectural design

Remote collaboration

Strong communications

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/EE

Master's degree in related field

Tools

UML

QNX

Linux

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a pioneering force in the connected automotive industry, is seeking a highly experienced and visionary Remote Automotive Software Architect to join their distributed engineering team. This crucial role involves designing and defining the overarching software architecture for next-generation in-vehicle infotainment systems, ADAS features, and autonomous driving platforms. You will be instrumental in shaping the future of automotive software, ensuring scalability, reliability, and security across our product portfolio. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of embedded systems, real-time operating systems, automotive communication protocols (e.g., CAN, Ethernet), and cloud integration. As a remote-first position, you must be a self-starter with exceptional communication and collaboration skills to excel in a virtual environment. This is a unique opportunity to influence the technological direction of vehicles worldwide from the comfort of your home office, contributing to a truly innovative automotive ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and document comprehensive software architectures for automotive electronic control units (ECUs) and system-level software.
• Define software components, interfaces, and communication strategies between different automotive systems.
• Evaluate and select appropriate technologies, frameworks, and development methodologies.
• Ensure the architecture supports key automotive standards and safety requirements (e.g., AUTOSAR, ISO 26262).
• Collaborate closely with hardware engineers, software developers, and systems engineers in a remote setting.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to software development teams.
• Identify and mitigate architectural risks and dependencies.
• Develop proofs-of-concept and prototypes to validate architectural designs.
• Contribute to the development of automotive software standards and best practices.
• Maintain architectural documentation and ensure its accuracy and accessibility for the distributed team.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree 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.
• In-depth knowledge of embedded systems, RTOS (e.g., QNX, Linux), and automotive software development lifecycle.
• Strong understanding of automotive communication protocols (CAN, LIN, Automotive Ethernet).
• Experience with automotive cybersecurity principles and implementation.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms and integration for automotive applications.
• Excellent architectural design skills, including diagramming and documentation (e.g., UML).
• Proven ability to work independently and effectively in a remote, asynchronous team environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, particularly for remote collaboration.

Benefits

• Highly competitive annual salary of R .
• Fully remote work arrangement, offering significant flexibility.
• Opportunity to shape the future of automotive software technology.
• Collaborate with a talented, international team of experts.
• Generous annual leave and flexible working hours.
• Home office equipment stipend.
• Continuous learning and professional development opportunities.
• Contribution to a company at the forefront of automotive innovation, with projects impacting vehicles globally.