Senior Automotive Software Architect

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Hybrid work model

Professional development budget

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Automotive Software Architect in Polokwane, Limpopo, ZA. The role combines hands-on architectural leadership with collaboration across hardware, systems, and application teams in a hybrid work setting.

You will define scalable, secure software architectures for ECUs and connected vehicle platforms, guiding development teams to meet safety and cybersecurity standards while staying ahead of AUTOSAR and cloud integration trends.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field.
• 8+ years in software development with at least 5 years in automotive software architecture.
• Strong knowledge of AUTOSAR and embedded software patterns.
• Experience with C/C++, RTOS, CAN/Ethernet and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Design and define the software architecture for automotive ECUs and connected car systems.
• Develop blueprints, patterns, and guidelines for software teams.
• Ensure designs meet safety, security, performance, and reliability requirements.
• Evaluate technologies, frameworks, and middleware; guide implementation.
• Lead and mentor software teams; conduct architectural reviews and risk assessments.
• Stay current with AUTOSAR, SOA, and cloud integration trends.

Skills

C/C++

AUTOSAR

Embedded systems

RTOS

CAN/Ethernet

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in CS/Software Engineering

Tools

Python

Java

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a forward-thinking automotive technology company, is seeking a Senior Automotive Software Architect to join their team in Polokwane, Limpopo, ZA. This hybrid role is crucial for defining the software architecture of our next-generation connected and autonomous vehicle platforms. You will be responsible for designing scalable, secure, and robust software systems that power critical vehicle functions. We are looking for a visionary leader with extensive experience in automotive software development, deep understanding of various architectural patterns, and a passion for innovation. Your ability to translate complex requirements into elegant software designs and guide development teams will be essential. This position offers the opportunity to shape the technological future of vehicles, working within a collaborative environment that balances in-office expertise with remote flexibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and define the overall software architecture for automotive electronic control units (ECUs) and connected car systems.
• Develop architectural blueprints, patterns, and guidelines for software development teams.
• Ensure software designs meet stringent requirements for safety, security, performance, and reliability (e.g., ISO 26262, cybersecurity standards).
• Evaluate and select appropriate software technologies, frameworks, and middleware.
• Collaborate with system engineers, hardware engineers, and application developers to ensure architectural integrity.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to software development teams.
• Conduct architectural reviews and identify potential risks and areas for improvement.
• Stay abreast of emerging trends and technologies in automotive software, including AUTOSAR, service-oriented architectures, and cloud integration.
• Document architectural decisions and designs clearly and comprehensively.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in software development, with at least 5 years in automotive software architecture.
• Deep understanding of software architecture patterns (e.g., microservices, layered architecture, event-driven architecture).
• Expertise in automotive software standards and frameworks such as AUTOSAR.
• Strong knowledge of C/C++, and ideally experience with other relevant languages (e.g., Python, Java).
• Familiarity with real-time operating systems (RTOS) and embedded systems development.
• Understanding of automotive communication protocols (CAN, Ethernet).
• Experience with software security principles and implementation in automotive contexts.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid environment, fostering collaboration both remotely and on-site.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, bonus opportunities.
• Comprehensive health and retirement benefits.
• Generous professional development budget.
• Hybrid role allows for flexible work arrangement, combining the benefits of our Polokwane, Limpopo, ZA facility with remote work capabilities.