Senior Project Engineer - Automotive Structures

NAFFCO; Dubai; On-site; AED 280,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

NAFFCO is seeking a Senior Project Engineer – Automotive Structures to lead the design, development and delivery of structural components for automotive applications. You will coordinate cross-functional teams across engineering, manufacturing, and suppliers to meet performance, safety, cost, and schedule targets.

The role requires 6–12 years in automotive structural design, strong CAD/CAE skills (SolidWorks/CATIA/NX; Abaqus/ANSYS/HyperMesh), GD&T know-how, and proven project leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Automotive Engineering is required.
• 6–12 years of experience in automotive structural design and development.
• Proven experience leading engineering projects.
• Experience in OEM or Tier-1 automotive companies preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of automotive structural components (chassis, BIW, frames, subframes)
• Manage full project lifecycle from concept through production release
• Develop and review CAD models, drawings, and engineering documentation
• Perform structural analysis including strength, stiffness, fatigue, and durability
• Coordinate with CAE teams for simulation and validation activities
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and safety regulations
• Collaborate with manufacturing teams to ensure design for manufacturability (DFM)
• Manage project timelines, deliverables, and engineering changes
• Interface with suppliers for component development, sourcing, and validation
• Support prototype builds, testing, and issue resolution
• Drive cost optimization and weight reduction initiatives
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership

Skills

Strong communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Problem-solving

Mentoring junior engineers

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

CATIA

NX

Abaqus

ANSYS

HyperMesh

Job description

Job Summary

The Senior Project Engineer – Automotive Structures is responsible for leading the design, development, and delivery of structural components and systems for automotive applications. This role ensures that projects meet performance, safety, cost, and timeline requirements while coordinating cross-functional teams across engineering, manufacturing, and suppliers.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of automotive structural components (chassis, BIW, frames, subframes)

• Manage full project lifecycle from concept through production release

• Develop and review CAD models, drawings, and engineering documentation

• Perform structural analysis including strength, stiffness, fatigue, and durability

• Coordinate with CAE teams for simulation and validation activities

• Ensure compliance with industry standards and safety regulations

• Collaborate with manufacturing teams to ensure design for manufacturability (DFM)

• Manage project timelines, deliverables, and engineering changes

• Interface with suppliers for component development, sourcing, and validation

• Support prototype builds, testing, and issue resolution

• Drive cost optimization and weight reduction initiatives

• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership

Required Skills and Competencies

• Strong knowledge of automotive structures (chassis, BIW, crash structures)

• Proficiency in CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA, NX)

• Experience with CAE tools (e.g., Abaqus, ANSYS, HyperMesh)

• Understanding of materials (steel, aluminum, composites) and joining methods

• Knowledge of GD&T and engineering drawing standards

• Strong project management and problem-solving skills

• Experience with DFMEA, PFMEA, and design validation processes

• Familiarity with automotive regulations and safety standards

• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or related field

• 6–12 years of experience in automotive structural design and development

• Proven experience leading engineering projects

• Experience in OEM or Tier-1 automotive companies preferred