Senior Automotive HIL Test Engineer

Placements24; East London; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and bonus potential

Health insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Automotive HIL Test Engineer to join its quality assurance team in East London, South Africa. The role focuses on building and maintaining hardware-in-the-loop simulation environments for testing automotive ECUs and software before integration, with hands-on design of test scenarios and automation scripts.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in HIL testing, strong knowledge of dSPACE/Vector NI VeriStand, and proficiency in Python/C/C++.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering
• 5+ years of automotive HIL testing and validation experience
• Strong experience with HIL platforms (dSPACE, Vector VT System, NI VeriStand)
• Proficiency in programming/scripting languages (Python, C, or C++)
• Knowledge of automotive communication protocols (CAN, LIN, Ethernet, UDS)
• Experience with test automation and test case design
• Excellent analytical and collaborative skills

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain HIL simulation systems for testing automotive ECUs and software.
• Create and execute complex test scenarios within the HIL environment.
• Develop automated test scripts using Python, C, or C++.
• Configure HIL test equipment (dSPACE, Vector VT System, NI VeriStand).
• Integrate real-time models into HIL environments and analyze results.
• Collaborate with software and systems engineers to define test requirements and debug issues.
• Ensure reliability and accuracy of HIL setups and processes.
• Stay updated on HIL simulation tech and automotive testing practices.

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a talented Senior Automotive HIL (Hardware-in-the-Loop) Test Engineer to join their quality assurance team. This role is critical for developing and maintaining robust HIL simulation environments used to test automotive ECUs and software extensively before vehicle integration. You will be responsible for designing test scenarios, configuring HIL systems, developing test automation scripts, and analyzing test results to ensure the highest quality and reliability of our client's automotive products. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of embedded systems, automotive communication protocols, and HIL testing methodologies. This is a hands‑on role that requires strong technical skills and a meticulous approach to testing. You will play a vital part in the development lifecycle, ensuring that complex automotive systems function as intended under a wide range of conditions. This position is based in the office and involves close collaboration with development and validation teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) simulation systems for testing automotive ECUs and software.
• Create and execute complex test scenarios and test cases within the HIL environment.
• Develop and implement automated test scripts using various scripting languages (e.g., Python, C).
• Configure and manage HIL test equipment, including dSPACE, Vector VT System, or similar platforms.
• Integrate real‑time models and plant models into the HIL simulation environment.
• Analyze test results, identify defects, and report issues clearly and comprehensively to the development team.
• Collaborate with software and systems engineers to define test requirements and debug issues.
• Ensure the reliability and accuracy of the HIL test setups and processes.
• Stay updated on the latest advancements in HIL simulation technology and automotive testing practices.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in automotive HIL testing and validation.
• Strong experience with HIL simulation platforms (e.g., dSPACE, Vector VT System, NI VeriStand).
• Proficiency in programming and scripting languages such as Python, C, or C++.
• Solid understanding of automotive communication protocols (e.g., CAN, LIN, Ethernet, UDS).
• Familiarity with embedded systems, microcontrollers, and ECU software development.
• Experience in test automation and test case design.
• Excellent analytical, troubleshooting, and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Experience with real‑time operating systems is a plus.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance bonus opportunities.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off and holidays.
• Opportunities for professional growth and advanced training.
• Work with state‑of‑the‑art HIL simulation technology.
• Collaborative team environment focused on quality and innovation.
• Access to advanced testing tools and equipment.
• Career advancement within a leading automotive company.