Remote Lead Automotive Software Architect

Placements24; Randburg; Hybrid; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive compensation

Stock options

Global health insurance

Remote work allowance

Professional development budget

Flexible hours

Remote autonomy

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Remote Lead Automotive Software Architect to spearhead the design of next‑generation software for vehicle platforms. You will guide a distributed team of engineers from anywhere in South Africa, defining architecture across infotainment, ADAS, and control domains.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in software and at least 5 in automotive architecture, with strong leadership, cybersecurity awareness, and experience delivering scalable, secure systems in a remote setting.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in CS/EE or related field.
• 10+ years software development with 5+ in automotive architecture.
• Deep knowledge of architecture patterns and embedded OS.
• Experience leading teams and projects.
• Strong cybersecurity knowledge in automotive systems.
• Excellent remote leadership and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Define high-level software architecture for automotive systems across domains such as infotainment, connectivity, ADAS and vehicle control.
• Establish software design principles, patterns and coding standards across teams.
• Lead and mentor software engineers and architects, providing technical guidance.
• Collaborate with product management, systems engineering and hardware teams to translate requirements into architecture.
• Evaluate and select technologies, frameworks and tools for development.
• Oversee implementation, ensuring conformance to design specs and performance targets.
• Identify and mitigate architectural risks and challenges.
• Drive innovation by exploring emerging technologies for automotive software.
• Contribute to the technology roadmap and conduct architectural reviews.
• Ensure architecture addresses security, safety (ISO 26262), performance and scalability.

Skills

Software architecture

Embedded software

Leadership

Automotive protocols

Cybersecurity in automotive

Agile methodologies

Remote leadership

Education

Master's/PhD

Tools

CAN

Ethernet

AUTOSAR

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a globally recognized leader in automotive technology, is seeking an exceptional Remote Lead Automotive Software Architect to spearhead the design and development of their advanced software systems. This is a fully remote position, enabling you to contribute your expertise from anywhere within South Africa while guiding a talented team of software engineers. You will be responsible for defining the overall software architecture for next-generation vehicle platforms, ensuring scalability, security, and performance. The ideal candidate possesses extensive experience in automotive software development, a deep understanding of software architecture principles, and a proven ability to lead complex projects. If you are passionate about innovation, possess strong leadership skills, and thrive in a dynamic, remote-first environment, this is the ultimate opportunity. Our client, with a presence that touches regions like Randburg, Gauteng, is committed to building a distributed team of top-tier talent.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and document the high-level software architecture for automotive systems, encompassing various domains like infotainment, connectivity, ADAS, and vehicle control.
• Establish software design principles, patterns, and coding standards to ensure consistency and quality across development teams.
• Lead and mentor a team of software engineers and architects, providing technical guidance and fostering a collaborative environment.
• Collaborate with product management, systems engineering, and hardware teams to translate requirements into robust architectural designs.
• Evaluate and select appropriate technologies, frameworks, and tools for software development.
• Oversee the implementation of the software architecture, ensuring adherence to design specifications and performance targets.
• Identify and mitigate architectural risks and challenges throughout the development lifecycle.
• Drive innovation by exploring emerging technologies and proposing their integration into the automotive software stack.
• Contribute to the definition of the overall technology roadmap for automotive software.
• Conduct architectural reviews and provide feedback to development teams.
• Ensure the architecture supports key non-functional requirements such as security, safety (ISO 26262), performance, and scalability.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field; a Bachelor's degree with significant relevant experience may also be considered.
• 10+ years of experience in software development, with at least 5 years in automotive software architecture and design.
• Deep understanding of software architecture patterns (e.g., Microservices, Layered, Event-driven) and their application in complex systems.
• Extensive experience with embedded software development, RTOS, and automotive communication protocols (e.g., CAN, Ethernet, AUTOSAR).
• Proven experience leading software engineering teams and projects.
• Strong knowledge of cybersecurity principles and practices in automotive systems.
• Excellent understanding of software development lifecycles and agile methodologies.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills.
• Outstanding communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, vital for remote leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously and drive results in a remote setting.

Benefits

• Executive-level compensation package, including a significant base salary and performance bonuses.
• Stock options or equity participation opportunities.
• Comprehensive global health insurance coverage.
• Generous remote work allowance for home office setup and connectivity.
• Unlimited professional development budget for training, conferences, and certifications.
• Flexible working hours and full remote autonomy.
• Opportunity to shape the future of automotive software on a global scale.