Mechanical Design Engineer - Mining Equipment

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Attractive salary package with bonuses

Comprehensive medical and retirement

Generous annual leave

Professional development and training

Exposure to large-scale miningProjects

Safety-focused work environment

Advancement opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 invites a seasoned Mechanical Design Engineer to join a leading heavy-duty mining equipment manufacturer in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. You will design, develop and refine robust mechanical systems for surface and underground machinery.

You will create 3D CAD models, perform FEA, select materials and work with hydraulics, pneumatics and structural integrity. Collaboration with product and manufacturing teams is essential to ensure safe, reliable equipment from concept to operation.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of mechanical design experience in heavy industrial or mining equipment.
• Proficient in 3D CAD and FEA tools.
• Knowledge of hydraulics, pneumatics, power transmission and structural mechanics.
• Experience with Design for Manufacturability and Design for Serviceability.
• Excellent problem-solving and hands-on approach.

Responsibilities

• Design mechanical components and systems for mining equipment.
• Create 3D CAD models and manufacturing drawings (BOMs).
• Perform stress/fatigue analysis and kinematic simulations.
• Select materials and manufacturing processes for harsh environments.
• Collaborate with hydraulic and electrical engineers for system integration.
• Support manufacturing during production and resolve design issues.
• Analyze field failures and implement design improvements.
• Develop technical documentation and maintenance guides.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards.

Skills

3D CAD

FEA analysis

Hydraulics

Pneumatics

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

FEA tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading manufacturer and service provider of heavy-duty mining equipment, is seeking a seasoned Mechanical Design Engineer to join their dedicated team in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. This critical role involves the design, development, and refinement of robust mechanical systems and components for surface and underground mining machinery. You will leverage your expertise in heavy engineering, material science, and manufacturing processes to create reliable, efficient, and safe equipment solutions. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in designing complex machinery for harsh environments and possess a strong understanding of hydraulics, pneumatics, and structural integrity. This is an outstanding opportunity to contribute to the backbone of the mining industry within a company renowned for its engineering excellence. We are looking for pragmatic, results-oriented engineers who thrive in a challenging operational setting. The Nelspruit location places you within proximity to key mining operations. You will work closely with project managers, manufacturing personnel, and field service teams to ensure design requirements are met from concept to operation.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop mechanical components, sub-assemblies, and complete systems for mining equipment (e.g., excavators, drills, crushers).
• Create detailed 3D CAD models, 2D manufacturing drawings, and Bills of Materials (BOMs) using relevant software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD).
• Perform stress analysis (FEA), fatigue analysis, and kinematic simulations to ensure design integrity and performance.
• Select appropriate materials and manufacturing processes suitable for heavy-duty mining applications and extreme operating conditions.
• Collaborate with hydraulic and electrical engineers to ensure seamless integration of systems.
• Support the manufacturing team during the production phase, resolving design-related issues.
• Work with the product support team to analyze field failures and implement design improvements.
• Develop technical documentation, including user manuals and maintenance guides.
• Ensure designs comply with relevant industry safety standards and regulations.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in mechanical design, with a significant portion focused on heavy industrial or mining equipment.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD software and experience with FEA tools.
• Strong understanding of hydraulics, pneumatics, power transmission, and structural mechanics.
• Knowledge of materials and welding procedures relevant to heavy machinery.
• Experience with Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Serviceability (DFS).
• Excellent problem-solving skills and a practical, hands-on approach.
• Strong communication and collaboration abilities.
• Ability to work effectively in a demanding, operational environment.
• Experience within the Nelspruit, Mpumalanga region or with similar industrial clients is highly valued.

Benefits

• Attractive salary package with potential for bonuses based on project success.
• Comprehensive medical and retirement benefits.
• Generous annual leave and holiday provisions.
• Opportunities for professional development and further specialized training.
• Exposure to large-scale engineering projects in the mining sector.
• A robust and safety-focused work environment.
• Potential for advancement within the company.