Lead Mechanical Engineer - Robotics

Placements24; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Home office stipend

Flexible hours

Professional development budget

Unlimited PTO

Groundbreaking robotics projects

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Mechanical Engineer to spearhead our robotics division from a remote-first setup based in Cape Town, Western Cape. You will lead mechanical design, guide prototypes, and collaborate across disciplines to accelerate robotic innovations.

You should bring 10+ years in robotics/mechanical design, strong CAD/PLM skills, and a track record of leading teams in distributed environments. Remote collaboration and strategic planning are essential.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or closely related field.
• 10+ years in mechanical design/development with leadership exposure.
• Robotics mechanical design expertise including actuators and sensors.
• Proficient in CAD and PLM, with strong integration skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for robotics mechanical team.
• Oversee mechanical design lifecycle of robotic systems.
• Develop 3D CAD models, schematics, and manufacturing docs.
• Analyze mechanical designs for thermal, vibration, and integrity.
• Specify components, materials and processes for robotics.
• Collaborate with electrical/software/AI teams for integration.
• Lead prototypes and test fixtures construction.
• Drive root-cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Contribute to robotics product roadmap and strategy.

Skills

Leadership

Robotics design

CAD software

System integration

Control systems

Simulation tools

Project management

Remote collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Inventor

SolidWorks

Fusion 360

PLM systems

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a pioneering force in the field of autonomous systems and is seeking a visionary Lead Mechanical Engineer to spearhead their robotics division. This is a fully remote, critical role based out of **Cape Town, Western Cape**, demanding exceptional leadership and technical acumen. You will be at the forefront of designing, developing, and testing cutting-edge robotic platforms. This position offers a unique chance to shape the future of robotics, working on challenging projects that require innovative mechanical solutions. As a remote-first organization, we are committed to providing a flexible and empowering work environment, ensuring seamless collaboration across distributed teams. If you are a seasoned mechanical engineer with a passion for robotics and a desire to lead impactful initiatives from anywhere, this is the ideal opportunity.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and direction for the mechanical engineering team focused on robotics development.
• Oversee the entire mechanical design lifecycle of robotic systems, including actuation, manipulation, locomotion, and structural components.
• Develop and maintain detailed 3D CAD models, schematics, and manufacturing documentation.
• Conduct rigorous analysis of mechanical designs, including thermal, vibration, and structural integrity assessments.
• Specify and select appropriate components, materials, and manufacturing processes for robotic applications.
• Collaborate closely with electrical engineers, software developers, and AI specialists to integrate mechanical systems.
• Design and manage the construction of prototypes and test fixtures.
• Lead root cause analysis for mechanical failures and implement effective corrective actions.
• Contribute to strategic planning for the robotics product roadmap.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field.
• 10+ years of experience in mechanical design and development, with at least 3 years in a leadership or senior technical role.
• Demonstrated expertise in robotics mechanical design, including mechanisms, actuators, and sensors.
• Proficiency in advanced CAD software (e.g., Inventor, SolidWorks, Fusion 360) and PLM systems.
• Solid understanding of control systems, kinematics, and dynamics as applied to robotics.
• Experience with simulation tools for performance and reliability analysis.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects and guide engineering teams effectively.
• Excellent communication skills, comfortable working in a remote, collaborative setting.
• Strong aptitude for rapid prototyping and iterative design processes.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and potential for stock options.
• Comprehensive remote work support, including stipends for home office setup.
• Flexible working hours to accommodate global time zones.
• Generous professional development budget for conferences and training.
• Unlimited paid time off policy.
• Opportunity to work on groundbreaking robotic technologies.
• Collaborative and inclusive remote work culture.
• Regular virtual team-building events and social gatherings.