Lead Mechanical Engineer - Mining Equipment Design

Placements24; Rustenburg; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Travel opportunities

Design tools access

Career growth

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Mechanical Engineer to head design and development of mining equipment in Rustenburg, North West. You will lead engineers, mentor the team, and ensure robust engineering documentation and production readiness.

The role demands 10+ years in mechanical design with leadership experience, expertise in CAD/FEA tools, and a strong grasp of hydraulic/pneumatic systems. Opportunity for growth in a global mining equipment company.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 10+ years in mechanical design engineering with 3+ years in leadership.
• Experience designing heavy industrial equipment for mining.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD (Inventor, CATIA) and PDM/PLM systems.
• Knowledge of FEA tools (ANSYS, ADAMS) and materials science.
• Strong leadership and mentoring abilities; excellent communication.
• Understanding of hydraulic and pneumatic systems; RC maintenance desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design and development of new mining equipment from concept to production release.
• Mentor a team of mechanical engineers and designers.
• Oversee detailed drawings, specs, and BOMs with CAD tools.
• Perform stress, fatigue, thermal, and vibration analyses.
• Collaborate with R&D, manufacturing, product support, and sales.
• Define technical requirements and ensure safety/regulatory compliance.
• Troubleshoot complex mechanical issues in field equipment.
• Drive continuous improvement in the engineering department.
• Manage project timelines and resources for design deliverables.
• Evaluate new technologies and materials to enhance performance.

Skills

Leadership

Team mentoring

Project management

Communication

Mechanical design

Problem solving

Education

Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Autodesk Inventor

CATIA

ANSYS

ADAMS

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a globally recognized manufacturer of heavy-duty mining equipment, is actively seeking an experienced and dynamic Lead Mechanical Engineer to spearhead their design and development initiatives in Rustenburg, North West . This critical role involves leading a team of talented engineers in the creation and refinement of innovative machinery designed to withstand the rigorous demands of the mining industry. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of mechanical engineering principles, extensive experience in designing large-scale industrial equipment, and a proven ability to lead and mentor engineering teams. You will play a key part in driving product innovation, ensuring operational excellence, and maintaining the company's position as a market leader. This is a challenging yet rewarding position for an ambitious engineer looking to make a significant impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design and development of new mining equipment, from concept generation through to final production release.
• Manage and mentor a team of mechanical engineers and designers, providing technical guidance and fostering professional growth.
• Oversee the creation and validation of detailed engineering drawings, specifications, and Bills of Materials using advanced CAD software.
• Conduct rigorous engineering analyses, including stress, fatigue, thermal, and vibration analysis, to ensure equipment durability and performance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including R&D, manufacturing, product support, and sales, to ensure project success.
• Define technical requirements and standards for new equipment designs, ensuring compliance with industry regulations and safety protocols.
• Troubleshoot complex mechanical issues and develop effective solutions for field-deployed equipment.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives within the engineering department.
• Manage project timelines and resources to ensure timely delivery of design deliverables.
• Evaluate and integrate new technologies and materials to enhance equipment performance and reliability.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in mechanical design engineering, with at least 3 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Extensive experience in the design of heavy industrial equipment, preferably for the mining sector.
• Expertise in 3D CAD software (e.g., Autodesk Inventor, CATIA) and PDM/PLM systems.
• Proficiency in Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and other simulation tools (e.g., ANSYS, ADAMS).
• Strong knowledge of material science, metallurgy, and manufacturing processes relevant to heavy equipment.
• Proven ability to lead and motivate engineering teams to achieve project objectives.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong understanding of hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
• Experience with reliability-centered maintenance (RCM) and failure analysis is highly desirable.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance-based bonus structure.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous retirement savings plan.
• Opportunities for international travel and professional development.
• Access to cutting-edge design and simulation tools.
• A challenging and rewarding career in a leading industry.