Automotive Body Structures Engineer

Placements24; Paarl; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 1,050,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance incentives

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Growth opportunities

Access to advanced tools

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an Automotive Body Structures Engineer to join our client in Paarl, Western Cape. On-site role focusing on design, analysis, and validation of vehicle body structures to ensure safety, stiffness, and lightweight performance.

You will lead FEA studies, translate requirements into robust solutions, and collaborate with design, manufacturing, and testing teams to deliver safe, industry-leading vehicles.

Qualifications

• Degree in mechanical or related field.
• Experience in automotive body structures design/validation.
• Strong knowledge of FEA and materials used in body construction.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop automotive body structures focusing on safety, stiffness, and weight.
• Perform Finite Element Analysis to predict behavior under crash, static and dynamic loads.
• Interpret FEA results and iterate with design teams.
• Specify materials and manufacturing processes for body components.
• Develop validation plans including physical testing to verify structural integrity.
• Collaborate with manufacturing to ensure design feasibility for production.
• Maintain documentation of designs, analyses, and test results.

Skills

FEA analysis

Crashworthiness

Lightweight design

Strong analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical/Civil Engineering or related field

Tools

ANSYS

Abaqus

NASTRAN

CATIA

SolidWorks

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a respected automotive manufacturer known for its commitment to vehicle safety and structural integrity, is seeking a skilled Automotive Body Structures Engineer to join their dedicated team in Paarl, Western Cape . This is an on-site position where you will play a crucial role in the design, analysis, and validation of vehicle body structures to ensure optimal safety, stiffness, and lightweight performance. You will be responsible for translating design requirements into robust structural solutions, utilizing advanced simulation techniques and conducting physical testing. The ideal candidate possesses a strong foundation in mechanical engineering, a deep understanding of finite element analysis (FEA), and experience with automotive body design principles. A meticulous approach to detail, excellent problem-solving skills, and a passion for automotive safety are essential. You will collaborate closely with design, manufacturing, and testing teams to bring innovative and safe vehicle structures to life. Our client is committed to providing a challenging and rewarding work environment, equipping engineers with the tools and support needed to excel and contribute to the development of high-quality, safe vehicles. Join us and be part of a team that sets industry standards in automotive structural engineering.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop automotive body structures, including chassis, frame, and closure components, focusing on safety, stiffness, and weight optimization.
• Perform Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to predict structural behavior under various load conditions (e.g., crash, static, dynamic).
• Interpret FEA results and collaborate with design teams to iterate and improve structural designs.
• Specify material requirements and manufacturing processes for body structure components.
• Develop and execute validation plans, including physical testing (e.g., static load, component testing), to verify structural integrity.
• Work closely with manufacturing engineers to ensure designs are feasible for production.
• Collaborate with safety engineers to meet regulatory and internal safety standards.
• Troubleshoot structural issues identified during development or testing phases.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation of designs, analysis reports, and test results.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in automotive body structures design and analysis.
• Strong proficiency in Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software (e.g., ANSYS, Abaqus, NASTRAN).
• Solid understanding of automotive body structures, crashworthiness, and lightweight design principles.
• Knowledge of materials used in automotive body construction (e.g., steel, aluminum, composites).
• Familiarity with CAD software for design and geometry preparation (e.g., CATIA, SolidWorks).
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and specifications.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for effective teamwork.
• Experience with automotive safety standards and crash testing is highly desirable.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance incentives.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
• Retirement savings plan.
• Opportunities for professional growth and skill development.
• Access to advanced simulation tools and testing facilities.
• A collaborative and safety-focused work environment.
• Paid time off and company holidays.