Automotive Body-in-White (BIW) Design Engineer

Placements24; Randburg; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical and retirement benefits

Career advancement

Job summary

Placements24 in Randburg is seeking an Automotive BIW Design Engineer to lead the design and development of body-in-white structures. You will work with CATIA and FEA tools to optimize weight, crash safety, and manufacturability.

You will collaborate with manufacturing, testing and CAE teams, review designs, maintain drawings and BOMs, and contribute to cutting-edge vehicle platforms. A degree in mechanical/automotive engineering with 5+ years BIW experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of BIW design experience in automotive industry.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD for surface and solid modeling (CATIA V5/V6).
• Experience with FEA software (Abaqus, ANSYS) for structural analysis.
• Knowledge of steel/aluminum structures and joining methods (welding, riveting, bonding).
• Understanding of crashworthiness and safety regulations.
• Manufacturing process familiarity for automotive bodies.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop BIW structures and components using CATIA/SolidWorks.
• Perform FEA to assess performance, crashworthiness, durability.
• Optimize BIW designs for weight reduction and safety.
• Collaborate with manufacturing for design feasibility and cost.
• Analyze CAE results and implement design changes.
• Contribute to material selection and joining technology.
• Create and maintain drawings, specs, and BOMs.
• Support prototype build and testing activities.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Automotive Engineering

Tools

CATIA V5/V6

SolidWorks

Abaqus

ANSYS

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major automotive manufacturer, is seeking a talented and experienced Automotive Body-in-White (BIW) Design Engineer to join their team in Randburg . This role is responsible for the design and development of the vehicle's structural frame and body components, focusing on aspects like structural integrity, weight reduction, safety, and manufacturing feasibility. The ideal candidate will possess strong skills in CAD software and a deep understanding of automotive body structures, materials, and joining technologies. You will work closely with manufacturing, testing, and simulation teams to bring innovative BIW designs to fruition. This is a critical role in ensuring the safety, performance, and efficiency of our vehicles. You will have the opportunity to contribute to the development of cutting-edge automotive platforms. The position requires a creative approach to problem-solving and a commitment to achieving optimal design outcomes within project constraints. Your expertise will be vital in shaping the core structure of our vehicles.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop Body-in-White (BIW) structures and components using advanced CAD software (e.g., CATIA V5/V6, SolidWorks).
• Perform Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to assess structural performance, crashworthiness, and durability.
• Optimize BIW designs for weight reduction while maintaining structural integrity and safety standards.
• Collaborate with manufacturing engineers to ensure design feasibility and cost-effectiveness.
• Work with CAE teams to analyze simulation results and implement design modifications.
• Contribute to material selection and joining technology recommendations for BIW components.
• Develop and maintain design documentation, including drawings, specifications, and BOMs.
• Support prototype build and testing activities, analyzing results to refine designs.
• Stay updated on new technologies, materials, and manufacturing processes in BIW engineering.
• Participate in cross-functional design reviews.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in Automotive Body-in-White (BIW) design.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD software, preferably CATIA V5/V6, for surface and solid modeling.
• Experience with FEA software (e.g., Abaqus, ANSYS) for structural analysis.
• Solid understanding of automotive structures, materials (steel, aluminum), and joining techniques (welding, riveting, bonding).
• Knowledge of vehicle crashworthiness and safety regulations.
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes for automotive bodies.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and design skills.
• Good communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Experience with M-BOM and D-BOM management is a plus.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive medical and retirement benefits, and significant opportunities for career advancement within a leading automotive organization. This role is based in Randburg , providing access to a vibrant professional network and modern facilities.