Chief Design Engineer - Automotive

Prostaff; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 300,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a talented Mechanical Engineer with a strong background in design and management. This role involves leading the technical design efforts, ensuring product quality, and managing a team to drive innovation in mechanical designs. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in developing new products based on market feedback and technical feasibility, while also overseeing the integration of electrical and software components. Join a dynamic team where your expertise will directly influence the success of cutting-edge projects and contribute to the company's growth in the manufacturing sector.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of design experience in the bodybuilder design and manufacturing industry.
• Ability to create mechanical designs from concept to detail.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for technical design and quality of products and new proposals.
• Manage the design process, ensuring market readiness and compliance.

Skills

Mechanical Design

Spatial Insight

People Management

Market Insight

Strategic Mindset

Education

B Eng in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

• A tertiary qualification in mechanical engineering (B Eng) is essential for this role.
• Previous design experience of 5 years, as well as managing a technical department, preferably in the bodybuilder design and manufacturing industry (CIT, Military vehicles, Body Builders).
• Ability to create sound mechanical designs, from concept through to detail design.
• Must have mechanical and spatial insight.
• Must be proficient in SolidWorks.
• Must be able to manage people and processes.
• The successful candidate must have market insight and a strategic mindset.

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Responsible for the technical design and quality within the company, either as a direct responsibility for the company's products or ensuring technical compliance in specifically production and facilities/equipment. The position is also responsible for all new product proposals, both technically as well as commercially.
• Initiating and designing, based on market feedback and technical feasibility, new product designs for the company, mainly mechanical, but also managing the integration of the electrical and software elements.
• Prototyping the designs and creating the data pack for the new product, including initial costing.
• Ensuring that the design is market and production-ready, through the creation of BOMs, fabrication drawings, costing, creation of required parts NRs, loading costs and parts into the ERP system, etc.
• Transferring knowledge to relevant departments (production, sales and marketing, finance, etc.) to ensure their success with the new product.
• Managing the sales process of all leads brought into the company by the S&M Manager, including client liaison, technical input, and generation of comprehensive client proposals.
• Providing technical input and expertise to all areas of the company.
• Be involved with the MANCO to ensure the success of the company as a whole.
• Managing all aspects of the employee life cycle of 8 direct reports.
• Ensuring that all designs and products offered by the company are in line with market requirements.
• Ensuring that all documents and processes are in place to ensure product success, both externally and internally.
• Ensuring accuracy in quotations, using costings feedback to increase accuracy.
• Warranty accounts and claims as an indicator of product (design) defects.

Salary package, including benefits, is highly negotiable depending on experience gained.