Senior Automotive Powertrain Engineer

Placements24; LegKraal Gate; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Automotive Powertrain Engineer for a fully remote role based in South Africa. You will lead design, development, calibration, and validation across ICE, HEV, and BEV powertrains, collaborating with international teams to push propulsion technology forward.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in automotive powertrain design, with strong thermodynamics, combustion, and motor/electronics expertise, and experience with GT-SUITE, Amesim and INCA.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field with automotive powertrains specialization
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in automotive powertrain design, development, and calibration
• Proven expertise in ICE, HEV, or BEV powertrain architecture and component selection
• Strong understanding of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, combustion, electric motors, and power electronics
• Proficiency with powertrain simulation tools (GT-SUITE, Amesim, MATLAB/Simulink) and calibration tools (INCA)
• Experience with data acquisition and analysis for powertrain testing
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Exceptional communication and collaboration skills for a fully remote position
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex technical projects and mentor engineering teams
• Must have reliable internet and a suitable home office environment

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and integration of cutting-edge automotive powertrain systems (ICE, HEV, BEV)
• Develop and optimize powertrain control strategies and calibration parameters for performance, fuel economy, and emissions targets
• Conduct system-level analysis and simulations to evaluate powertrain performance and efficiency
• Oversee selection and integration of powertrain components including engines, electric motors, batteries, transmissions, and power electronics
• Plan and execute powertrain testing and validation activities, including component, system integration, and vehicle-level tests
• Analyze test data and provide technical recommendations for design improvements and problem resolution
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams in a fully remote environment
• Stay abreast of emerging powertrain technologies and trends for innovation opportunities
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the department's technical growth

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a global leader in automotive innovation, is seeking a highly accomplished Senior Automotive Powertrain Engineer to join their esteemed, fully remote engineering team. This pivotal role focuses on the design, development, calibration, and validation of advanced powertrain systems, including internal combustion engines, hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) powertrains, and battery electric vehicle (BEV) powertrains. You will be at the forefront of developing next-generation propulsion technologies that are more efficient, powerful, and environmentally friendly. The ideal candidate possesses extensive expertise in thermodynamics, combustion principles, electric motor technology, power electronics, and control systems. This is a remote-first opportunity, demanding strong self-discipline, excellent communication skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with international teams via virtual platforms.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and integration of cutting-edge automotive powertrain systems (ICE, HEV, BEV).
• Develop and optimize powertrain control strategies and calibration parameters for performance, fuel economy, and emissions targets.
• Conduct system-level analysis and simulations to evaluate powertrain performance and efficiency.
• Oversee the selection and integration of powertrain components, including engines, electric motors, batteries, transmissions, and power electronics.
• Plan and execute powertrain testing and validation activities, including component testing, system integration testing, and vehicle-level validation.
• Analyze test data and provide technical recommendations for design improvements and problem resolution.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including vehicle integration, software development, and manufacturing, in a fully remote environment.
• Stay abreast of emerging powertrain technologies and industry trends, identifying opportunities for innovation and competitive advantage.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the overall technical growth of the powertrain engineering department.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field with a specialization in automotive powertrains.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in automotive powertrain design, development, and calibration.
• Proven expertise in ICE, HEV, or BEV powertrain architecture and component selection.
• Strong understanding of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, combustion, electric motors, and power electronics.
• Proficiency with powertrain simulation tools (e.g., GT-SUITE, Amesim, MATLAB/Simulink) and calibration tools (e.g., INCA).
• Experience with data acquisition and analysis for powertrain testing.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Exceptional communication and collaboration skills, critical for a fully remote position.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex technical projects and mentor engineering teams.
• Must have a reliable internet connection and a suitable home office environment.

Benefits

This fully remote position offers a highly competitive salary, excellent benefits, and the opportunity to work on the future of automotive propulsion from anywhere in South Africa . Our client values innovation and employee development, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and contributing to groundbreaking advancements in the automotive industry.