Senior Automotive Electrical Engineer

Placements24; Gqeberha; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonuses

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Generous PTO

Remote-friendly tooling

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Automotive Electrical Engineer for a fully remote role in the automotive tech space. You will design, develop, and validate electrical architectures for future vehicle platforms, from wiring harnesses to ECUs, collaborating with cross‑functional teams across time zones.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years in automotive electrical design, a solid background in CAN/LIN/Automotive Ethernet, and hands-on experience with E3.series or similar CAD tools.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Electronics Engineering.
• 7+ years of experience in automotive electrical system design and development.
• Proficiency with electrical CAD tools (E3.series, Zuken E3, Mentor Graphics Capital).
• Strong understanding of automotive electrical architectures, power distribution, signal integrity and EMC/EMI.
• Experience with CAN, LIN and Automotive Ethernet.
• Proven ability to design and validate complex electrical systems.
• Excellent problem solving and collaboration skills for remote teams.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop automotive electrical systems, including wiring harnesses, connectors, power distribution modules, and ECUs.
• Specify electrical components and ensure integration into vehicle architectures.
• Create electrical schematics, diagrams, and 3D models using CAD tools.
• Perform electrical system simulations and analyses for performance, reliability and safety.
• Collaborate with mechanical, software, and testing teams to integrate electrical systems.
• Develop and execute validation test plans for electrical components and systems.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex electrical issues during development and testing.
• Stay updated with automotive electrical technologies, standards and trends.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of design processes and tools.
• Ensure compliance with automotive standards and regulations.

Skills

Electrical systems design

CAN/LIN/Automotive Ethernet

Electrical CAD software

Remote collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Electronics Engineering

Tools

E3.series

Zuken E3

Mentor Graphics Capital

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a global leader in automotive technology and innovation, is seeking a highly experienced Senior Automotive Electrical Engineer to join their expanding, fully remote team. This role is ideal for a seasoned professional who thrives in a flexible work environment and possesses a deep understanding of automotive electrical systems, from low-voltage components to complex power distribution networks. You will be responsible for the design, development, and validation of electrical architectures and components for future vehicle platforms. This includes everything from wiring harnesses and connectors to sensors, actuators, and control modules. As a remote-first position, you will collaborate virtually with engineering teams across different time zones, utilizing advanced communication and collaboration tools. We are looking for an individual with exceptional problem‐solving skills, a keen eye for detail, and a passion for pushing the boundaries of automotive electrical engineering. Your expertise will be crucial in ensuring the reliability, safety, and performance of our client's cutting‑edge vehicle electrical systems. Embrace the opportunity to shape the future of automotive electrical design from the convenience of your home office, contributing to groundbreaking projects that will redefine mobility. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a significant impact in a fully remote capacity.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop automotive electrical systems, including wiring harnesses, connectors, power distribution modules, and ECUs.
• Specify electrical components and ensure their integration into vehicle architectures.
• Create detailed electrical schematics, diagrams, and 3D models using industry‑standard software.
• Perform electrical system simulations and analyses to ensure performance, reliability, and safety.
• Collaborate closely with cross‑functional teams (mechanical, software, testing) to integrate electrical systems.
• Develop and execute validation test plans for electrical components and systems.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex electrical issues encountered during development and vehicle testing.
• Stay up‑to‑date with the latest automotive electrical technologies, standards, and trends.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of electrical design processes and tools.
• Ensure compliance with automotive industry standards and regulations.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in automotive electrical system design and development.
• Proficiency in electrical CAD software (e.g., E3.series, Zuken E3, Mentor Graphics Capital).
• Strong understanding of automotive electrical architectures, power distribution, signal integrity, and EMC/EMI principles.
• Experience with vehicle communication protocols (e.g., CAN, LIN, Automotive Ethernet).
• Proven ability to design and validate complex electrical systems.
• Excellent problem‑solving, analytical, and debugging skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, essential for a remote team environment.
• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively in a remote setting.
• Experience with functional safety (ISO 26262) is a plus.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary with performance‑based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement savings plan with company match.
• Generous paid time off and flexible working hours.
• Professional development opportunities and training.
• Access to advanced remote collaboration tools and simulation software.
• The flexibility to work from anywhere, with primary focus on Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, ZA region for administrative purposes.