Mechanical Design Engineer - Structural Analysis

Placements24; Randburg; Hybrid; ZAR 750,000 - 950,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Health insurance

Professional training

Retirement plan

Growth opportunities

Randburg base

Job summary

Placements24 in Randburg, Gauteng, seeks a Mechanical Design Engineer with a strong emphasis on structural analysis. You will perform FEA to evaluate stress, fatigue and deflection, develop models, and design components with emphasis on manufacturability and weight. Hybrid work enables focused analysis and collaboration.

The role requires 4+ years in mechanical design with FEA, proficiency in ANSYS/Abaqus/SolidWorks, and strong communication for reports and team work.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 4+ years of mechanical design experience with emphasis on structural analysis/FEA.
• Proficiency with ANSYS, Abaqus or COMSOL and CAD tools.

Responsibilities

• Perform detailed structural analysis using FEA to evaluate stress, strain, fatigue and deflection.
• Develop and validate analytical models with experimental correlation where applicable.
• Design components/structures optimizing strength, stiffness, weight and manufacturability.
• Collaborate with design engineers to interpret results and suggest design changes.
• Select materials based on properties, environment, and application.
• Prepare technical reports detailing methodologies, findings and recommendations.
• Stay updated on structural analysis techniques and software developments.
• Support testing by providing analytical insights and requirements.

Skills

FEA

ANSYS

Abaqus

SolidWorks

CATIA

CAD modeling

Structural mechanics

Materials science

Report writing

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree in Structural Mechanics

Tools

SolidWorks

CATIA

Abaqus

AutoCAD

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in specialized engineering solutions, is seeking a skilled Mechanical Design Engineer with a strong emphasis on structural analysis to join their innovative team in Randburg, Gauteng. This role is central to ensuring the integrity, safety, and performance of complex mechanical structures and components across various demanding applications. You will leverage advanced analytical techniques and simulation tools to predict and validate structural behaviour under various loads and environmental conditions. This is a fantastic opportunity for an engineer passionate about understanding how physical structures perform under stress and strain. The position offers a hybrid work model, facilitating a blend of focused analysis work and collaborative team interaction. We are looking for a candidate with a rigorous analytical mindset, excellent problem‑solving skills, and a deep understanding of mechanics of materials and finite element analysis (FEA). The Randburg, Gauteng location provides access to a diverse industrial landscape, offering varied and challenging projects. Your expertise will be critical in supporting the development of robust and reliable engineered products.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform detailed structural analysis using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software to evaluate stress, strain, fatigue, and deflection of mechanical components and assemblies.
• Develop and validate analytical models, ensuring accuracy and correlation with experimental data where applicable.
• Design and specify mechanical components and structures, optimizing them for strength, stiffness, weight, and manufacturability based on analysis results.
• Collaborate with design engineers to interpret analysis results and provide recommendations for design modifications.
• Conduct material selection based on mechanical properties, environmental resistance, and application requirements.
• Prepare comprehensive technical reports detailing analysis methodologies, findings, and recommendations.
• Stay abreast of advancements in structural analysis techniques, FEA software, and material science.
• Contribute to the development of best practices and procedures for structural analysis within the engineering department.
• Support testing and validation efforts by providing analytical insights and requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field; a Master's degree with a specialization in structural mechanics is preferred.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in mechanical design with a significant focus on structural analysis and FEA.
• Proficiency in using advanced FEA software packages (e.g., ANSYS, Abaqus, COMSOL).
• Strong theoretical understanding of mechanics of materials, solid mechanics, elasticity, and plasticity.
• Experience in creating and managing CAD models (e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA) for analysis purposes.
• Ability to interpret complex analysis results and communicate them effectively to technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Excellent problem‑solving and critical thinking skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for report writing and team collaboration.
• Familiarity with different material behaviours under various loading conditions.
• Adaptable to working in a hybrid environment.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary of R.
• Hybrid work model offering flexibility and work‑life balance.
• Comprehensive health insurance and related benefits.
• Opportunities for advanced training in specialised analysis techniques and software.
• Retirement savings plan.
• Work on challenging and impactful structural analysis projects in Randburg, Gauteng.
• Collaborative and intellectually stimulating work environment.
• Generous paid time off and holiday schedule.
• Potential for career advancement into lead analyst or principal engineer roles.