Automotive Chassis Design Engineer

Placements24; Bloemfontein; Hybrid; ZAR 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Medical insurance

Pension plan

Professional development

Access to advanced design tools

Job summary

Placements24 in Bloemfontein, South Africa, seeks an experienced Automotive Chassis Design Engineer. The role focuses on the design, development, and integration of vehicle chassis systems, including suspension, steering, and braking, to ensure optimal dynamics and safety.

The position is hybrid, with on-site work at the Bloemfontein facility and remote flexibility. You will perform CAD design, FEA analyses, develop test plans, and collaborate across engineering teams to deliver robust chassis

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Automotive Engineering.
• Minimum 5 years of automotive chassis design experience.
• Proficient in CATIA or SolidWorks and FEA tools.
• Knowledge of suspension, steering and braking systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Design chassis components and systems using CAD software.
• Perform FEA and simulations to optimize strength and durability.
• Define performance targets and develop test plans.
• Collaborate with dynamics and manufacturing teams.
• Maintain design documentation and reports.
• Stay updated on materials and modern chassis tech.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Effective communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Automotive Engineering

Tools

CATIA

SolidWorks

ANSYS

Abaqus

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent automotive innovator, is seeking an experienced Automotive Chassis Design Engineer to join their team based in **Bloemfontein, Free State**. This role focuses on the design, development, and integration of vehicle chassis systems, including suspension, steering, and braking components. You will be responsible for ensuring optimal vehicle dynamics, handling, and safety performance. This hybrid position offers a balance of on-site design and testing activities at our **Bloemfontein** facility with remote work flexibility. Contribute to the next generation of automotive platforms and enhance driving experiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop chassis components and systems (suspension, steering, braking) using advanced CAD software.
• Perform Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and other simulations to optimize component strength, stiffness, and durability.
• Define chassis performance targets and develop test plans to validate designs against these targets.
• Collaborate with vehicle dynamics engineers to achieve desired handling characteristics and ride comfort.
• Work closely with manufacturing engineers to ensure designs are feasible for production.
• Analyze competitor vehicle chassis systems to identify best practices and areas for innovation.
• Troubleshoot and resolve design-related issues during development and vehicle testing phases.
• Maintain detailed design documentation, including drawings, specifications, and reports.
• Stay current with new materials, technologies, and trends in chassis design.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in automotive chassis design.
• Strong proficiency in CAD software (e.g., CATIA, SolidWorks) and FEA tools (e.g., ANSYS, Abaqus).
• In-depth knowledge of suspension, steering, and braking system principles and design.
• Understanding of vehicle dynamics and their relationship to chassis design.
• Experience with automotive manufacturing processes and materials.
• Ability to interpret CAE results and translate them into design improvements.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills, suited for a hybrid work model in **Bloemfontein**.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary of R .
• Hybrid work arrangement providing flexibility for **Bloemfontein** staff.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and optical insurance.
• Retirement savings plan and life assurance.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.
• Access to cutting-edge design and simulation tools.
• A collaborative team environment focused on vehicle performance.
• Generous annual leave and paid sick days.