Lead Mechanical Engineer – Automotive Systems, Hybrid

Placements24; Bloemfontein; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Bonuses

Professional development

Hybrid model

Company vehicle program

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Mechanical Engineer to head the automotive systems division in Bloemfontein, South Africa. This role guides a team through design, development, and integration of critical mechanical components for next‑generation vehicles.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in mechanical engineering, with at least 5 in automotive, strong leadership, CAD/CAE expertise (CATIA, ANSYS, SolidWorks), and a proven track record in fast‑paced environments. Hybrid work options are available.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering
• 10+ years of mechanical engineering experience
• 5+ years in automotive projects
• Proven leadership of engineering teams
• Strong CAD/CAE skills (CATIA/ANSYS/SolidWorks)
• Knowledge of automotive standards and manufacturing processes

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of mechanical engineers in the design and development of automotive mechanical systems.
• Oversee the lifecycle of mechanical components from concept to production.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to ensure seamless system integration.
• Drive innovation by researching and implementing new technologies.
• Ensure designs comply with industry standards and client specifications.
• Develop and manage project timelines, budgets, and resources.
• Conduct design reviews, risk assessments, and performance evaluations.
• Provide technical guidance to manufacturing teams to optimize production.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Automotive engineering

CAD/CAE proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CATIA

ANSYS

SolidWorks

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Mechanical Engineer to head the automotive systems division in Bloemfontein, South Africa. This role guides a team through design, development, and integration of critical mechanical components for next‑generation vehicles.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in mechanical engineering, with at least 5 in automotive, strong leadership, CAD/CAE expertise (CATIA, ANSYS, SolidWorks), and a proven track record in fast‑paced environments. Hybrid work options are available.