Automotive Body and Trim Engineer

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Medical insurance and retirement plan

Career progression opportunities

Exposure to diverse vehicle platforms

Stable and supportive work environment

Paid annual leave

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an Automotive Body and Trim Engineer to join our client in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. The role focuses on creating body structures, exterior components, and interior trim systems while ensuring safety and manufacturing efficiency.

You will work with CAD/CAE tools, select materials, and coordinate with design, stamping, and assembly teams to drive from concept to mass production. A minimum of 5 years in automotive body engineering is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Automotive Engineering.
• Minimum 5 years in automotive body engineering.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD software (CATIA V5, SolidWorks) and CAE tools.
• Knowledge of stamping, welding, injection molding and assembly techniques.
• Experience with interior trim and plastics is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Design vehicle body structures and exterior components.
• Design interior trim components and seating systems.
• Collaborate with styling and aerodynamic teams to meet targets.
• Specify materials and manufacturing processes.
• Use CAD/CAE tools for design and analysis.
• Ensure designs are producible and meet assembly requirements.
• Support pre-production builds and resolve issues.
• Conduct benchmarking of competitor designs.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CATIA V5

SolidWorks

CAE tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a key player in the automotive manufacturing landscape, is seeking a diligent Automotive Body and Trim Engineer to join their team in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. This role focuses on the design, development, and production implementation of vehicle body structures, exterior components, and interior trim systems. You will be instrumental in ensuring aesthetic appeal, structural integrity, occupant safety, and manufacturing efficiency. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of materials science, stamping, welding, plastics, and assembly processes within the automotive context. This is a non-remote position, requiring dedication and presence at our Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, ZA facility to drive projects from concept to mass production.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop vehicle body structures, closures (doors, hood, trunk), and exterior components (bumpers, grilles).
• Design and integrate interior trim components, including dashboards, door panels, and seating systems.
• Collaborate with styling and aerodynamic teams to meet aesthetic and performance targets.
• Specify materials (steel, aluminum, composites, plastics) and manufacturing processes (stamping, welding, injection molding).
• Utilize CAD/CAE tools for design, analysis (structural, crash, NVH), and optimization.
• Work closely with manufacturing engineering to ensure designs are producible and meet assembly requirements.
• Support pre-production builds and resolve issues related to body and trim assembly.
• Conduct benchmarking studies of competitor vehicles' body and interior designs.
• Ensure compliance with automotive safety standards and regulations.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in automotive body engineering, exterior components, or interior trim design.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD software (e.g., CATIA V5, SolidWorks) and CAE tools for structural and crash analysis.
• Knowledge of automotive materials, manufacturing processes (stamping, welding, injection molding), and assembly techniques.
• Understanding of automotive safety standards and regulations related to body structure and occupant protection.
• Experience with plastic component design and interior trim development is highly desirable.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Effective communication and teamwork abilities.
• Must be able to work in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, ZA.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive medical insurance and retirement savings plan.
• Opportunities for career progression within the automotive sector.
• Exposure to diverse vehicle platforms and technologies.
• A stable and supportive work environment.
• Paid annual leave and public holidays.
• Training and professional development programs.