Senior Automotive Electronics Engineer

Placements24; Durban; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Generous leave

Training programs

Lab facilities

Career progression

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Automotive Electronics Engineer based in Durban to design and validate ECUs, sensors, and power electronics for next‑generation vehicles. You will own hardware development from schematic to testing, ensure reliability, and meet automotive standards.

The role requires 6+ years in automotive electronics, strong tools proficiency (Altium, Cadence), and deep knowledge of CAN/LIN/Ethernet, ISO 26262, and embedded microcontrollers. On-site with a market‑competitive package.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Electronics Engineering.
• 6+ years hands-on experience in automotive electronics design and development.
• Experience with schematic capture and PCB layout tools (Altium Designer, Cadence Allegro).
• Strong understanding of embedded systems, microcontrollers (ARM, Infineon), and peripherals.
• Experience with analog and digital circuit design, signal integrity, and power electronics.
• Knowledge of automotive communication protocols (CAN, LIN, Ethernet).
• Familiarity with ISO 26262 automotive functional safety standards is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Design hardware for automotive ECUs, sensors, and actuators.
• Perform schematic capture, PCB layout, and component selection.
• Conduct rigorous testing and validation under varied environmental conditions.
• Collaborate with software teams to define hardware‑software interfaces.
• Translate system requirements into detailed electronic design specifications.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex hardware issues during development and production.
• Stay updated with automotive electronics trends and power management ICs.
• Participate in design reviews and drive continuous process improvements.

Skills

Embedded systems

ECU hardware design

Signal integrity

Power electronics

Automotive protocols CAN/LIN/Ethernet

ISO 26262 knowledge

Hardware debugging

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Electronics Engineering

Tools

Altium Designer

Cadence Allegro

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a renowned name in the automotive manufacturing sector, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Automotive Electronics Engineer to join their advanced engineering team based in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, ZA. This on-site position focuses on the design, development, and validation of complex electronic control units (ECUs) and related systems for next-generation vehicles. You will play a crucial role in integrating cutting-edge electronic technologies, ensuring reliability, performance, and compliance with stringent automotive standards. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to the development of innovative automotive solutions within a globally recognized organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop electronic hardware for automotive applications, including ECUs, sensors, and actuators.
• Perform schematic capture, PCB layout, and component selection for automotive-grade electronics.
• Conduct rigorous testing and validation of electronic components and systems under various environmental conditions.
• Collaborate with software development teams to define hardware-software interfaces and ensure seamless integration.
• Analyze system requirements and translate them into detailed electronic design specifications.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex hardware issues during development and production phases.
• Stay updated with the latest trends in automotive electronics, microcontrollers, and power management ICs.
• Participate in design reviews and contribute to the continuous improvement of electronic design processes.
• Ensure all designs comply with relevant automotive standards (e.g., AEC-Q) and safety regulations.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 6 years of hands-on experience in automotive electronics design and development.
• Proficiency in schematic capture and PCB layout tools (e.g., Altium Designer, Cadence Allegro).
• Strong understanding of embedded systems, microcontrollers (e.g., ARM, Infineon), and their peripherals.
• Experience with analog and digital circuit design, signal integrity, and power electronics.
• Knowledge of automotive communication protocols (CAN, LIN, Ethernet).
• Familiarity with automotive functional safety standards (ISO 26262) is highly desirable.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Experience with simulation tools like SPICE is a plus.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary package commensurate with experience and expertise.
• Comprehensive health insurance, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Generous annual leave and company holidays.
• Opportunities for professional development and advanced technical training.
• Access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and testing equipment.
• A stable and supportive work environment in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, ZA.
• Retirement savings plan with employer contributions.
• Potential for career advancement within a leading automotive company.
• Performance-based bonuses and incentives.