Lead Mechanical Engineer - Aerospace Structures

Placements24; Kimberley; Hybrid; CAD 140,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Career advancement

Continuous learning

Global project exposure

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Lead Mechanical Engineer for an influential aerospace role in Kimberley. You will lead a team, drive structural design, and oversee analysis and validation of aircraft structures to ensure safety and performance.

The candidate should have 10+ years in aerospace structural design with leadership experience and expertise in FEA (NASTRAN, ABAQUS), composite materials, and CAD tools (CATIA, SolidWorks). PR Eng preferred.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• PhD in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering preferred.
• 10+ years in structural design and analysis in aerospace.
• Leadership or supervisory experience in aerospace.
• Proficiency with FEA software (NASTRAN, ABAQUS) and CAD tools (CATIA, SolidWorks).
• PE/Pr.Eng registration preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of engineers in design and analysis of aerospace structures.
• Oversee the full design cycle from concept to certification support.
• Perform advanced structural analysis including stress, fatigue and modal analysis.
• Apply composite materials design for lightweight, high-strength structures.
• Collaborate with aerodynamics, systems engineering, manufacturing and QA teams.
• Maintain design documentation and stress reports compliant with aero standards.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Structural analysis

Aerospace design

Communication

Education

Master's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

PhD in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

NASTRAN

PATRAN

ABAQUS

CATIA

SolidWorks

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent aerospace company renowned for its innovative aircraft components, is seeking a highly experienced Lead Mechanical Engineer to spearhead structural design initiatives in **Kimberley, Northern Cape**. This leadership role is pivotal in driving the conceptualization, design, analysis, and validation of critical aircraft structures. You will lead a team of skilled engineers, ensuring designs meet the highest standards of safety, performance, and efficiency within the aerospace industry. The ideal candidate will possess extensive expertise in structural mechanics, advanced composite materials, and aerospace design principles, coupled with strong leadership and project management capabilities. This is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on next-generation aerospace projects within a world-class organization. Our client is committed to excellence and innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of mechanical engineers in the design and analysis of aerospace structures, including airframes, wings, and fuselage components.
• Oversee the complete design cycle, from initial concept development and feasibility studies to detailed design, integration, and certification support.
• Conduct advanced structural analysis using FEA (Finite Element Analysis) to evaluate stress, strain, fatigue, and modal behavior under various flight load conditions.
• Apply principles of composite materials science and design for lightweight, high‑strength structures.
• Collaborate closely with aerodynamics, systems engineering, manufacturing, and quality assurance teams to ensure design integrity and manufacturability.
• Develop and maintain detailed design documentation, including drawings, specifications, and stress reports compliant with aerospace standards (e.g., FAA, EASA).
• Lead design reviews and present technical findings to program management, customers, and regulatory bodies.
• Stay at the forefront of aerospace structural design technologies, materials, and analytical techniques.

Requirements

• Master's degree or PhD in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in structural design and analysis, with at least 5 years in a leadership or supervisory role within the aerospace industry.
• Proven expertise in aircraft structural design, materials (metals and composites), and manufacturing processes relevant to aerospace.
• Proficiency with advanced FEA software (e.g., NASTRAN, PATRAN, ABAQUS) and CAD tools (e.g., CATIA, SolidWorks).
• In-depth understanding of aerospace design standards, certification requirements, and testing methodologies.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving capabilities with a keen attention to detail.
• Experience with aerodynamic loading and structural dynamics is highly desirable.
• Professional Engineer (Pr. Eng) registration or equivalent is preferred.

Benefits

• Highly competitive executive salary package with significant performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, dental, vision insurance, and superior retirement benefits.
• Generous relocation assistance for qualified candidates.
• Exceptional opportunities for professional growth, continuous learning, and career advancement.
• Involvement in cutting‑edge aerospace projects with global impact.
• A collaborative and technologically advanced work environment.