Lead Mechanical Engineer - Automation Specialist

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

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Bonuses

Home office stipend

Travel opportunities

Learning resources

Health benefits

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Mechanical Engineer to spearhead remote engineering initiatives from South Africa. You will guide a distributed team through ideation to implementation, defining design standards and ensuring quality across automated systems.

The role requires a Master's in Mechanical Engineering with 10+ years in industrial automation, strong CAD/FEA/CFD tools, and exceptional remote leadership and collaboration skills. Fully remote with international project exposure.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or closely related discipline.
• 10+ years in mechanical design with a focus on industrial automation.
• Experience leading engineering teams, preferably in remote environments.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and strategic direction for mechanical design within automation projects.
• Oversee design, development, and validation of complex mechanical systems and robotic components.
• Mentor and guide a distributed team of mechanical engineers.
• Establish and enforce high-level design standards and documentation for remote teams.
• Collaborate with clients, project managers and cross-functional teams to define requirements.
• Lead design reviews ensuring compliance with specifications and quality standards.
• Drive adoption of new technologies and design methodologies.
• Manage timelines, resources, and budgets for mechanical engineering work.
• Troubleshoot complex issues in remote settings and implement effective solutions.
• Contribute to improving remote collaboration tools and processes.

Skills

Leadership

Remote team leadership

Project management

Problem solving

Communication

Innovation

Education

Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks Premium

Autodesk Inventor

FEA

CFD

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a globally recognized leader in bespoke industrial automation systems, is seeking a highly accomplished Lead Mechanical Engineer to spearhead their remote engineering initiatives. This is a unique opportunity to join a forward-thinking company that embraces a remote-first culture, offering you the flexibility to work from anywhere in South Africa while contributing to groundbreaking projects. You will be responsible for the overall mechanical design strategy, guiding a team of engineers through the entire product lifecycle, from ideation to implementation. This role demands exceptional leadership, deep technical expertise in mechanical systems, and a passion for driving innovation in automation. You will play a crucial role in defining design standards, ensuring the quality and performance of our automated solutions, and fostering a collaborative remote working environment. Your contributions will directly impact the development of next-generation automation technologies that set industry benchmarks. We are looking for a visionary engineer with a proven track record of success in leading complex projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and strategic direction for mechanical design within automation projects.


• Oversee the design, development, and validation of complex mechanical systems and robotic components.


• Mentor and guide a distributed team of mechanical engineers, fostering their professional growth.


• Establish and enforce high-level design standards, best practices, and documentation protocols for remote teams.


• Collaborate closely with clients, project managers, and cross-functional engineering teams to define project requirements and scope.


• Conduct and lead critical design reviews, ensuring adherence to technical specifications and quality standards.


• Drive innovation by exploring and implementing new technologies and design methodologies.


• Manage project timelines, resource allocation, and budgets for mechanical engineering aspects.


• Troubleshoot complex mechanical issues and develop effective solutions in a remote setting.


• Contribute to the continuous improvement of remote collaboration tools and engineering processes.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline.


• 10+ years of comprehensive experience in mechanical design, with a significant focus on industrial automation.


• Demonstrated experience in leading engineering teams, preferably in a remote or distributed environment.


• Advanced proficiency in advanced CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks Premium, Autodesk Inventor) and simulation tools (FEA, CFD).


• In-depth knowledge of robotics, mechatronics, kinematics, and control systems.


• Proven experience with machine design, component selection, and manufacturing processes.


• Exceptional problem-solving, decision-making, and strategic thinking abilities.


• Excellent communication and virtual collaboration skills, adept at managing remote teams effectively.


• Strong understanding of project management principles and practices.


• A proactive approach to identifying and mitigating technical risks.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary package, reflective of your expertise.


• Fully remote work arrangement, offering exceptional work-life balance.


• Generous performance-based bonuses and incentives.


• Company-provided high-performance laptop and home office setup stipend.


• Opportunities for international travel for key project milestones or team gatherings.


• Access to extensive online learning resources and professional development programs.


• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.


• Contribute to cutting-edge automation solutions with global impact.