Lead Exterior Design Engineer in Pietermaritzburg

Placements24; Pietermaritzburg; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Pension fund

Performance bonuses

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Automotive Design Engineer to head the Exterior Styling department in Pietermaritzburg. You will lead a team of designers and engineers, translating concepts into production-ready exterior designs while aligning with brand identity and manufacturing constraints.

You will collaborate with marketing, product planning, and engineering to shape future programs, oversee CAD and clay modeling, and ensure designs meet regulatory and cost targets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Automotive Design, Industrial Design, or related field.
• 8+ years in automotive exterior design; 2+ in leadership.
• Proven track record of taking designs from concept to production.
• Expertise in Alias, ICEM Surf, Photoshop, VRED.
• Strong knowledge of stamping and injection molding manufacturing processes.
• Excellent leadership, communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of exterior designers and clay modelers.
• Develop exterior design concepts for future vehicle programs in Pietermaritzburg.
• Oversee CAD and clay models; ensure accuracy and aesthetics.
• Collaborate with aerodynamic engineers to optimize designs.
• Define design direction with product planning and marketing.
• Ensure designs meet regulatory, manufacturing, cost targets.
• Lead design reviews and stakeholder consultations.
• Stay abreast of industry trends and emerging technologies.
• Oversee transition from concept to production and resolve engineering challenges.

Skills

Leadership

Concept development

Presentation

Creative thinking

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Automotive Design

Tools

Alias

ICEM Surf

VRED

Photoshop

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Automotive Design Engineer to head the Exterior Styling department in Pietermaritzburg. You will lead a team of designers and engineers, translating concepts into production-ready exterior designs while aligning with brand identity and manufacturing constraints.

You will collaborate with marketing, product planning, and engineering to shape future programs, oversee CAD and clay modeling, and ensure designs meet regulatory and cost targets.