Senior Automotive Electrical Systems Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Advanced testing tools

Medical and retirement benefits

Generous leave and holidays

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in Durban seeks a Senior Automotive Electrical Systems Engineer to design, develop, and integrate electrical architectures for modern vehicles, including ADAS and infotainment.

You will specify components, create schematics, and collaborate with software and mechanical teams while ensuring safety and reliability. This role offers opportunities to shape innovative vehicle electrical platforms from our Durban base.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical/ Electronics Engineering or closely related field; Master's preferred.
• Minimum 6 years of professional experience in automotive electrical design and development.
• Proficiency with automotive communication protocols (CAN, LIN, Ethernet) and power distribution systems.

Responsibilities

• Design electrical architectures for new vehicle platforms with scalable and robust solutions.
• Specify and select automotive-grade components, sensors, actuators, and ECUs.
• Create schematics, wiring harnesses and connector layouts using CAD tools.
• Develop strategies for power management and distribution across vehicle systems.
• Integrate infotainment, ADAS, navigation, and telematics modules.
• Perform system-level testing and validation per specifications; ensure compliance.
• Troubleshoot electrical system issues during development and production.
• Collaborate with software and mechanical engineers for seamless integration.
• Contribute to electrical standards and best practices.

Skills

CAN/CAN bus

LIN bus

Ethernet

Power distribution

Embedded systems

Firmware integration

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Teamwork

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Electrical Engineering

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

Mentor Graphics

Altium

Zuken

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a forward-thinking automotive technology provider in Durban , is seeking an experienced Senior Automotive Electrical Systems Engineer to join their innovative team. This role focuses on the design, development, and integration of complex electrical and electronic systems within modern vehicles. You will be at the forefront of advancements in areas such as infotainment, advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), body electronics, and power distribution. The ideal candidate will possess a strong academic background in electrical engineering, combined with substantial experience in automotive applications. This position offers a significant opportunity to shape the future of automotive technology from our strategic base in Durban , contributing to the development of sophisticated and reliable vehicle electrical architectures.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop electrical architectures for new vehicle platforms, ensuring scalability and robustness.
• Specify and select automotive-grade electronic components, sensors, actuators, and ECUs.
• Create detailed schematics, wiring harnesses, and connector layouts using CAD software.
• Develop and implement strategies for power management and distribution across vehicle systems.
• Integrate complex electronic modules, including infotainment, navigation, telematics, and ADAS.
• Perform system-level testing and validation of electrical components and harnesses to ensure compliance with specifications.
• Troubleshoot and resolve electrical system issues during vehicle development and production phases.
• Collaborate closely with software engineers, mechanical engineers, and other stakeholders to ensure seamless system integration.
• Contribute to the development of electrical system standards and best practices.
• Stay abreast of emerging automotive electrical technologies and industry trends.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a closely related field; Master's degree preferred.
• A minimum of 6 years of professional experience in automotive electrical system design and development.
• Proven expertise in CAN, LIN, Ethernet, and other automotive communication protocols.
• Strong understanding of automotive power distribution systems, battery management, and charging systems.
• Experience with embedded systems, microcontrollers, and firmware integration.
• Proficiency in using electrical CAD tools (e.g., Mentor Graphics, Altium, Zuken).
• Familiarity with functional safety standards (e.g., ISO 26262) is highly desirable.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and debugging skills.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities, with experience working in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Ability to work effectively within the Durban office, with potential for occasional travel.
• Demonstrated experience in developing specifications and test plans for electrical components.

Benefits

• A competitive salary package designed to attract top engineering talent.
• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge automotive electrical systems.
• Access to advanced simulation and testing tools.
• Comprehensive medical and retirement benefits.
• Generous annual leave and paid holidays.
• Professional development opportunities, including advanced training and certifications.
• A collaborative and innovative work culture in Durban .
• Contribution to the advancement of automotive electrical technology.