Mechanical Engineer

Nextech; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 650,000 - 1,050,000; Full time

Job summary

Nextech is seeking a Thermofluids Engineer to join the Thermofluids team in South Africa. You will analyze, validate, and improve propulsion system performance, operate on CFD and heat transfer simulations, and guide design through data-driven insights.

You will work with design and test engineers to iterate concepts, define test requirements, and ensure positive margins. The role involves collaboration on ground and flight test systems and interfacing with clients abroad.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in aerospace, automotive or marine industries is preferred.
• Strong understanding of heat transfer, fluid flow and internal/ external aerodynamics.
• Experience with CFD packages (Fluent, CFX, STAR-CCM+) and Python for data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Perform CFD analyses of propulsive components (compressible and incompressible flow).
• Conduct heat transfer simulations including conduction, convection, and radiation.
• Model development, numerical analysis, and performance trade-off studies.
• Collaborate with design and test engineers; interpret ground flight test data and margins.

Skills

CFD: Fluent

CFD: CFX/STAR-CCM+

Python (numpy/pandas)

Heat transfer

Thermofluids analysis

Data post-processing

Sensors data analysis

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical/Aerospace Eng

Master's degree preferred

Tools

SolidWorks CAD

Job description

We are looking for a passionate Mechanical Engineer with a solid background in thermodynamics, fluid flow, and

dynamic analysis to join our Thermofluids team. As a Thermofluids Engineer, you will contribute to

the analysis, design validation, and future improvements of the propulsion department. Day to

you will be expected to analyse test data, define loads and environments, perform detailed

simulations and physics-based analysis, guide design, and help validate analysis, design, and system

performance through test. Scope of work may additionally extend to supporting ground and flight

test systems, propulsion development, flight operations, and customer interaction.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Perform, validate, and document detailed CFD analyses of propulsive components including:

• Compressible flow (choked flow, Aerodynamics)
• Incompressible flow (internal, two phase)

Perform heat transfer simulations (conduction, convection, and radiation) including:

• Component thermal analyses
• Transient thermal response

Perform, validate, and document thermofluid analyses of primary and secondary system

• Model development and coding
• Numerical Analysis
• Performance trade-off studies
• Performance optimization

Work closely with design and test engineers to iterate through design concepts, determine test requirements, and demonstrate positive margins.

Process and interpret ground test and flight data, including:

• Determining if components remain within safety critical bounds.
• Comparing sensor data across multiple tests to detect out-of-family results.

Identifying and resolving sensor configuration issues (grounding, calibration,

Using a strong understanding of physical principles (e.g., heat transfer, flow, material properties, etc.) to determine the root cause of anomalies through data analysis.

Conduct peer reviews of analyses.

Collaborate with other departments and other multi-disciplinary projects.

Provide system and subsystem level integration and testing support in RSA and at clients abroad and provide recommendations based on analysis.

Write design, test, and other technical project reports/documents.

Experience and Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or related field.

3+ years of experience, ideally from the Aerospace, Automotive or Marine industries.

Strong understanding of physical principles (heat transfer, electronics, internal flow,

Fluid engineering experience around pressure loss, valves, and sensors.

Demonstrated experience with one or more industry standard CFD packages: Fluent, CFX,

STAR-CCM+.

Experience in Python and associated scientific packages: numpy, pandas, scipy, matplotlib.

Demonstrated thermal modelling of components, networks, and lump masses.

Experience with experimental test methods, sensor selection and data post-processing /

interpretation (thermocouples, pressure transducers, accelerometers, strain gauges,

The ability to work to deadlines within a high-pressure environment.

Preferred Skills

Master’s degree or greater.

Experience in the design of turbomachinery components.

Familiarity with using SolidWorks CAD.

Experience working in a fast-paced development program.