Lead Mechanical Design Engineer

Placements24; Randburg; Remote; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Remote work flexibility

Unlimited paid time off

Home office stipend

Professional growth budget

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Mechanical Design Engineer to drive the design and development of advanced mechanical systems. This remote-first role offers autonomy and impact on cutting-edge products.

You will guide projects from concept to production while mentoring a distributed team across regions. The ideal candidate has 10+ years in mechanical design, expert CAD/CAE skills, and a strong track record of delivering high-quality launches.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in mechanical engineering with design focus.
• Proven leadership of engineering teams and managing complex projects.
• Expert proficiency in SolidWorks, CATIA, or Siemens NX.
• Experience with ANSYS or COMSOL for FEA/CFD.
• Knowledge of DFM, DFA, DFX principles.
• Experience with additive manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Lead conceptualization, design, development, and validation of mechanical systems.
• Mentor and manage a team of mechanical engineers.
• Define product requirements and architectural direction for mechanical solutions.
• Oversee CAD models, drawings, and documentation with industry tools.
• Perform FEA/CFD analyses to ensure performance and reliability.
• Collaborate with hardware, software, product, and remote teams.
• Drive innovation by adopting new tech and materials.
• Ensure designs meet quality, safety, and cost targets.
• Manage project timelines and deliverables.
• Present design reviews and updates to leadership.

Skills

Leadership

CAD software

FEA/CFD

DFM/ DFA/ DFX

Remote collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering

PhD in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

CATIA

Siemens NX

ANSYS

COMSOL

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an accomplished Lead Mechanical Design Engineer to join their innovative and fully remote team. This is a critical role focused on leading the design and development of complex mechanical systems that power cutting-edge products. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in mechanical engineering, a strong aptitude for leadership, and a passion for innovation. You will be responsible for guiding design projects from concept through to production, collaborating with a global, distributed team. This remote-first position offers significant autonomy and the chance to make a substantial impact on the future of our client's technological offerings.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the conceptualization, design, development, and validation of mechanical systems and components.
• Manage and mentor a team of mechanical engineers, fostering technical excellence and project success.
• Define product requirements, technical specifications, and architectural direction for mechanical solutions.
• Oversee the creation of detailed CAD models, drawings, and documentation using industry-standard tools.
• Conduct advanced engineering analyses, including FEA and CFD, to ensure design integrity and performance.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams (hardware, software, product management) in a remote setting.
• Drive innovation by researching and applying new technologies and materials.
• Ensure designs adhere to quality, reliability, safety, and cost targets.
• Manage project timelines, resources, and deliverables effectively.
• Present design reviews and project status updates to senior leadership.

Requirements

• Master's degree or PhD in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in mechanical engineering, with a focus on product design and development.
• Proven experience in leading engineering teams and managing complex projects.
• Expert proficiency in advanced CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA, Siemens NX).
• Deep experience with simulation tools such as ANSYS, COMSOL, or similar for FEA and CFD.
• Strong knowledge of Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and DFX principles.
• Familiarity with a wide range of manufacturing processes, including additive manufacturing.
• Excellent strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills, suited for remote environments.
• Track record of successful product launches.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Stock options and performance-based bonuses.
• Full remote work flexibility with a generous home office stipend.
• Unlimited paid time off.
• Retirement savings plan with company match.
• Annual budget for professional growth, including courses and conferences.
• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge technology with a talented team.
• A culture that values innovation, collaboration, and work-life balance.