Mechanical Design Engineer - Product Development

Placements24; Midrand; Hybrid; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Competitive salary and benefits

Opportunities for professional growth

Exposure to innovative projects

Creative and collaborative environment

Paid time off and company holidays

Retirement savings plan and medicalaid

Job summary

Placements24 in Midrand, Gauteng, seeks a Mechanical Design Engineer for a hybrid on-site/remote role. You will own end-to-end mechanical design from concept through prototyping to manufacturing handoff, collaborating with designers, electrical engineers, and software developers.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering and 4+ years' experience, strong CAD skills (SolidWorks, Inventor, Fusion 360), and familiarity with FEA/CFD.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Minimum of 4 years of mechanical design and product development experience.
• Experience with 3D CAD software and design for manufacturing.
• Experience with simulation tools (FEA/CFD) is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design of new products, ensuring functionality, aesthetics, and manufacturability.
• Develop detailed 3D CAD models, 2D manufacturing drawings, and Bills of Materials (BOMs).
• Perform engineering analysis, including stress, thermal, and tolerance analysis, to validate designs.
• Select appropriate materials and manufacturing processes for product components.
• Collaborate with industrial designers, electrical engineers, and software developers throughout the product development cycle.
• Build and test prototypes, troubleshoot design issues, and iterate on designs based on test results.
• Prepare technical documentation for design reviews, manufacturing handoff, and user manuals.
• Stay informed about emerging technologies and design methodologies relevant to product development.
• Ensure designs comply with relevant industry standards and regulatory requirements.
• Support the manufacturing team during initial production runs.

Skills

3D CAD proficiency

PDM/PLM systems

Analytical thinking

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Inventor

Fusion 360

FEA

CFD

PDM/PLM

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic and forward-thinking product development company, is seeking a talented Mechanical Design Engineer to contribute to their innovative projects. This role, based in Midrand, Gauteng, offers a hybrid work arrangement, combining the benefits of collaborative on-site work with the flexibility of remote working. You will be responsible for the end-to-end mechanical design of new products, from initial concept generation and detailed design to prototyping, testing, and preparation for manufacturing. The ideal candidate possesses strong CAD skills, a solid understanding of mechanical principles, and experience in bringing new products to market. This is an excellent opportunity to join a creative team and play a vital role in developing exciting new products for diverse markets.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design of new products, ensuring functionality, aesthetics, and manufacturability.
• Develop detailed 3D CAD models, 2D manufacturing drawings, and Bills of Materials (BOMs).
• Perform engineering analysis, including stress, thermal, and tolerance analysis, to validate designs.
• Select appropriate materials and manufacturing processes for product components.
• Collaborate closely with industrial designers, electrical engineers, and software developers throughout the product development cycle.
• Build and test prototypes, troubleshoot design issues, and iterate on designs based on test results.
• Prepare technical documentation for design reviews, manufacturing handoff, and user manuals.
• Stay informed about emerging technologies and design methodologies relevant to product development.
• Ensure designs comply with relevant industry standards and regulatory requirements.
• Support the manufacturing team during initial production runs.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in mechanical design and product development.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, Inventor, Fusion 360) and associated PDM/PLM systems.
• Experience with engineering simulation tools (FEA, CFD) is a significant advantage.
• Strong understanding of material properties, manufacturing processes (e.g., injection molding, CNC machining, 3D printing), and assembly techniques.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills, especially in a hybrid work setting.
• Ability to manage multiple design tasks and meet project deadlines.
• Experience in the Midrand, Gauteng area or willingness to work a hybrid schedule.
• A portfolio showcasing previous product design work is beneficial.

Benefits

• Hybrid work model offering a blend of remote and office-based work.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunities for professional growth and skill development.
• Exposure to innovative product development projects.
• A creative and collaborative work environment.
• Contribution to the design of cutting-edge products.
• Paid time off and company holidays.
• Retirement savings plan and medical aid support.