Automotive Body and Chassis Engineer

Placements24; East London; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and benefits

Career development opportunities

Relocation assistance may be available

Pension scheme and life insurance

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Automotive Body and Chassis Engineer for an on-site role in East London, South Africa. You will design and integrate vehicle body structures and chassis systems, collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to ensure performance, safety and manufacturability.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's in Mechanical or Automotive Engineering and at least 4 years of relevant experience, with strong CAD skills (CATIA, SolidWorks) and FEA experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum of 4 years in automotive body or chassis engineering.
• Proficiency in CAD software (CATIA, SolidWorks) for automotive design.
• Experience with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software for structural simulation.
• Strong understanding of vehicle dynamics, suspension, and steering systems.
• Knowledge of automotive manufacturing processes (stamping, welding, assembly).
• Familiarity with automotive safety standards and crash testing procedures.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop vehicle body structures including frame, underbody and closures with aerodynamics and aesthetics in mind.
• Develop chassis systems—suspension, steering and braking components to meet performance targets.
• Perform structural analysis and simulations (FEA) to validate strength and durability.
• Collaborate with manufacturing engineering to optimize designs for production.
• Specify materials and manufacturing processes for body and chassis components.
• Conduct vehicle testing and validation and analyze results for improvements.
• Ensure compliance with automotive safety standards and crash requirements.
• Manage component suppliers and review their designs and processes.
• Prepare technical documentation including drawings, specifications and reports.
• Stay current with advancements in body and chassis technologies and materials.

Skills

CAD proficiency

FEA analysis

Vehicle dynamics

Project management

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Automotive Engineering

Tools

CATIA

SolidWorks

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic automotive manufacturer known for its innovative designs and engineering excellence, is seeking an experienced Automotive Body and Chassis Engineer to join their team in East London. This critical on-site role involves the design, development, and integration of vehicle body structures and chassis systems, ensuring optimal performance, safety, and manufacturability. You will collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary team of engineers and designers to bring new vehicle concepts to life. This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled engineer to contribute to the development of next-generation vehicles within a well-established and forward-thinking company in East London.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop vehicle body structures, including frame, underbody, and closure systems, considering aerodynamics and aesthetics.
• Develop chassis systems, including suspension, steering, and braking components, ensuring performance and handling targets are met.
• Perform structural analysis and simulations (e.g., FEA) to validate designs for strength, stiffness, and durability.
• Collaborate with manufacturing engineering to ensure designs are optimized for efficient and cost-effective production.
• Specify materials and manufacturing processes for body and chassis components.
• Conduct vehicle testing and validation, analyzing results to identify areas for improvement.
• Ensure compliance with automotive safety standards (e.g., crashworthiness) and regulatory requirements.
• Manage component suppliers and review their designs and manufacturing processes.
• Prepare technical documentation, including design drawings, specifications, and reports.
• Stay current with advancements in automotive body and chassis technologies and materials.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in automotive body or chassis engineering.
• Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., CATIA, SolidWorks) for automotive design.
• Experience with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software for structural simulation.
• Strong understanding of vehicle dynamics, suspension systems, and steering mechanisms.
• Knowledge of automotive manufacturing processes (stamping, welding, assembly).
• Familiarity with automotive safety standards and crash testing procedures.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and project management skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for team collaboration.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Opportunities for career advancement and professional development.
• Exposure to innovative automotive technologies and designs.
• A collaborative and supportive work environment.
• Relocation assistance may be available.
• Company pension scheme and life insurance.
• Employee vehicle purchase program.
• Paid time off and holidays.