Junior Mechanical Engineer — R&D Prototyping & Learning

Placements24; Upington; Hybrid; ZAR 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentorship from experienced engineers

Comprehensive medical aid

Retirement savings plan

Paid annual leave and holidays

Job summary

Placements24 in Upington, Northern Cape, seeks a motivated Junior Mechanical Engineer to join our client’s R&D team. You’ll support senior engineers in designing, prototyping, and testing new concepts in a cutting-edge environment, gaining hands-on experience and broad exposure to materials and applications.

You will work with CAD tools, perform basic calculations, document results, and collaborate across disciplines to advance new product lines while adhering to lab safety and quality standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited institution.
• 0–3 years of relevant experience, including academic projects or internships.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks or AutoCAD.
• Willingness to learn and apply new engineering concepts.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Effective communication and teamwork abilities.

Responsibilities

• Assist senior engineers in designing and developing mechanical components and prototypes.
• Use CAD to create and modify 2D drawings and 3D models.
• Assemble, test, and validate prototypes; document procedures and results.
• Perform basic engineering calculations and simulations to support designs.
• Support failure analysis and troubleshooting for experiments.
• Research new materials, technologies, and methodologies.
• Collaborate with researchers and technicians to meet R&D goals.
• Maintain lab notebooks and data records; follow safety protocols.
• Participate in brainstorming sessions for Upington-based R&D team.

Skills

Analytical skills

Teamwork

Communication

Willingness to learn

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

Job description

Placements24 in Upington, Northern Cape, seeks a motivated Junior Mechanical Engineer to join our client’s R&D team. You’ll support senior engineers in designing, prototyping, and testing new concepts in a cutting-edge environment, gaining hands-on experience and broad exposure to materials and applications.

You will work with CAD tools, perform basic calculations, document results, and collaborate across disciplines to advance new product lines while adhering to lab safety and quality standards.