Lead Mechanical Stress Analyst

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

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Competitive salary

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in Sandton seeks a Lead Mechanical Stress Analyst to head structural integrity assessments using FEA, including ANSYS and ABAQUS. You will mentor junior analysts and guide stress analysis across multiple product projects in a hybrid work setup.

Ideal candidates hold a Master’s/PhD in Mechanical Engineering with 8+ years in stress analysis, familiar with ASME/ISO standards, and capable of communicating complex results to design teams.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in solid mechanics or structural analysis.
• 8+ years hands-on experience in mechanical stress analysis using FEA tools.
• Expertise in structural mechanics, material behavior, fatigue, and fracture mechanics.
• Proficiency with FEA software such as ANSYS Workbench and ABAQUS.
• Experience with various loading conditions and failure modes.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and leadership abilities; able to present technical findings.
• Experience in a hybrid work environment and managing remote technical tasks.
• Familiarity with industry codes and standards (ASME, ISO).

Responsibilities

• Lead the stress analysis of mechanical components and systems using FEA software (e.g., ANSYS, ABAQUS).
• Develop and validate analysis models, ensuring accuracy and correlation with experimental data where available.
• Perform static, dynamic, fatigue, and thermal stress analyses on complex designs.
• Interpret analysis results and provide clear, actionable recommendations to design engineers.
• Mentor and guide junior stress analysts, reviewing their models and reports.
• Define analysis requirements and methodologies for new product development projects.
• Collaborate with experimental testing teams to validate analysis predictions.
• Stay current with advanced analysis techniques, software capabilities, and industry best practices.
• Contribute to the development of company standards and procedures for stress analysis.

Skills

FEA

ANSYS Workbench

ABAQUS

Structural mechanics

Fatigue analysis

Fracture mechanics

Materials behavior

Leadership

Mentoring

Education

Master's or PhD in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

ANSYS Workbench

ABAQUS

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a global leader in specialized industrial equipment manufacturing, is seeking a highly experienced Lead Mechanical Stress Analyst to join their team in Sandton . This hybrid role requires a blend of on-site collaboration and remote flexibility. You will be responsible for leading structural integrity assessments and stress analysis for complex mechanical designs, ensuring they meet stringent performance, safety, and reliability requirements. The ideal candidate possesses a deep expertise in Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and a strong understanding of mechanics of materials, fracture mechanics, and fatigue analysis. You will mentor junior analysts, review their work, and guide the stress analysis efforts across various product development projects. This position demands a proactive approach to problem-solving, a commitment to technical excellence, and the ability to communicate complex technical information effectively. Located in a prime business district in Gauteng , this role offers the opportunity to work on challenging and innovative projects with a company renowned for its engineering prowess. We seek a leader who can drive best practices in stress analysis and contribute significantly to product design validation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the stress analysis of mechanical components and systems using FEA software (e.g., ANSYS, ABAQUS).


• Develop and validate analysis models, ensuring accuracy and correlation with experimental data where available.


• Perform static, dynamic, fatigue, and thermal stress analyses on complex designs.


• Interpret analysis results and provide clear, actionable recommendations to design engineers.


• Mentor and guide junior stress analysts, reviewing their models and reports.


• Define analysis requirements and methodologies for new product development projects.


• Collaborate with experimental testing teams to validate analysis predictions.


• Stay current with advanced analysis techniques, software capabilities, and industry best practices.


• Contribute to the development of company standards and procedures for stress analysis.

Requirements

• Master's or PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field with a specialization in solid mechanics or structural analysis.


• Minimum of 8 years of hands‑on experience in mechanical stress analysis using FEA tools.


• Proven expertise in structural mechanics, material behavior, fatigue, and fracture mechanics.


• In‑depth knowledge of FEA software such as ANSYS Workbench, ABAQUS, or similar.


• Experience with a variety of loading conditions and failure modes.


• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with meticulous attention to detail.


• Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to present technical findings effectively.


• Experience in a hybrid work environment and managing remote technical tasks.


• Familiarity with relevant industry codes and standards (e.g., ASME, ISO).

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary, comprehensive health, and retirement benefits, and performance‑based bonuses. We provide exceptional opportunities for professional development, including advanced training, conference attendance, and leadership roles. Employees benefit from working on cutting‑edge projects within a highly respected engineering firm. This hybrid role offers flexibility and the chance to live and work in the vibrant city of Sandton .