Mechanical Design Engineer - Automotive Components

Placements24; Soweto; On-site; ZAR 450,000 - 630,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health insurance

Retirement savings plan

Generous paid time off

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Mechanical Design Engineer to contribute to the development of automotive components in Soweto, Gauteng. You will lead the complete design lifecycle from concept through prototyping to production support, ensuring performance, durability, and safety.

The role requires 2–4 years of automotive design experience, strong CAD skills (SolidWorks/CATIA/Inventor), and collaboration with manufacturing, QA, and R&D teams to deliver high-quality solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• 2–4 years of mechanical design experience in automotive components.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks, CATIA or Inventor and PLM/PDM systems.
• Familiarity with automotive manufacturing processes.
• Knowledge of materials used in automotive applications.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Good communication and teamwork.
• Eagerness to learn in an automotive environment.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop mechanical components and sub-assemblies for automotive applications using 3D CAD software.
• Create detailed engineering drawings, specifications, and Bills of Materials (BOMs).
• Perform engineering analysis, including stress, thermal, and vibration simulations, to validate design performance and reliability.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including manufacturing, quality assurance, and R&D, to ensure design feasibility and manufacturability.
• Work closely with manufacturing engineers to optimize designs for efficient production processes (DFM - Design for Manufacturability).
• Oversee prototype development, testing, and validation processes, troubleshooting issues and implementing design improvements.
• Select appropriate materials and manufacturing processes for automotive components.
• Support production by addressing any mechanical design-related issues that arise post-launch.
• Stay current with automotive industry trends, standards, and emerging technologies.

Skills

3D CAD proficiency

Analytical thinking

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

CATIA

Inventor

PLM/PDM systems

Job description

About the Role Our client, a respected automotive supplier, is seeking a dedicated Mechanical Design Engineer to contribute to the development of innovative automotive components at their facility in Soweto, Gauteng. This role involves the complete design lifecycle of mechanical parts and sub-assemblies, from initial concept and feasibility studies through to detailed design, prototyping, and production support. You will play a crucial role in ensuring that components meet stringent performance, durability, and safety requirements. The ideal candidate will possess a strong foundation in mechanical engineering principles, proficiency in CAD tools, and a passion for automotive technology. We are looking for a detail-oriented individual who can work effectively within a team environment and contribute to delivering high-quality automotive solutions. The Soweto, Gauteng location offers an opportunity to engage directly with the automotive manufacturing sector in a hands-on capacity. This position is essential for driving product innovation and maintaining our client's competitive edge in the automotive industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop mechanical components and sub-assemblies for automotive applications using 3D CAD software.
• Create detailed engineering drawings, specifications, and Bills of Materials (BOMs).
• Perform engineering analysis, including stress, thermal, and vibration simulations, to validate design performance and reliability.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including manufacturing, quality assurance, and R&D, to ensure design feasibility and manufacturability.
• Work closely with manufacturing engineers to optimize designs for efficient production processes (DFM - Design for Manufacturability).
• Oversee prototype development, testing, and validation processes, troubleshooting issues and implementing design improvements.
• Select appropriate materials and manufacturing processes for automotive components.
• Support production by addressing any mechanical design-related issues that arise post-launch.
• Stay current with automotive industry trends, standards, and emerging technologies.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• 2-4 years of experience in mechanical design, with a focus on automotive components or a related mechanical engineering discipline.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA, Inventor) and PDM/PLM systems.
• Basic understanding of engineering simulation tools (FEA, CFD) is a plus.
• Knowledge of materials commonly used in automotive applications and their properties.
• Familiarity with automotive manufacturing processes such as injection molding, stamping, and machining.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills with a strong attention to detail.
• Effective communication and teamwork abilities.
• Eagerness to learn and contribute within a dynamic automotive environment.
• Understanding of automotive industry standards and requirements.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary of R.
• Full-time, on-site role offering direct team collaboration.
• Comprehensive health insurance package.
• Opportunities for on-the-job training and professional development.
• Retirement savings plan.
• Contribute to the design of components for the automotive sector in Soweto, Gauteng.
• Supportive team environment focused on innovation and quality.
• Generous paid time off and holiday leave.
• Potential for career advancement within the automotive supply chain.