Mechanical Engineer - Mining Equipment Design

Placements24; Polokwane; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical aid

Life insurance

Retirement fund

Relocation assistance

Professional growth

Job summary

Placements24 is partnering with a leading designer and manufacturer of specialized mining equipment in Polokwane, Limpopo, to appoint a Senior Mechanical Engineer. You will lead the mechanical design from concept through production, conduct advanced analyses, and ensure safety and reliability in harsh mining environments.

The ideal candidate holds a Master's in Mechanical Engineering with at least 8 years in heavy industrial machinery design, expert CAD/FEA skills, and strong leadership. Pr.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 8+ years of experience in mechanical design with heavy industrial machinery experience, preferably mining.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD and advanced FEA tools (SolidWorks, Inventor, CATIA, ANSYS, Abaqus).

Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design and development of new mining equipment from concept through production.
• Perform detailed engineering analyses (stress, fatigue, thermal) using FEA tools.
• Create and maintain 3D CAD models, 2D drawings, and BOMs.
• Collaborate with electrical, hydraulics, manufacturing, and field service teams to deliver integrated solutions.
• Specify materials and manufacturing processes for harsh mining environments.
• Oversee prototype testing, analyze results, and implement design improvements.
• Provide technical support to manufacturing and field service teams.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Education

Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Inventor

CATIA

ANSYS

Abaqus

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading designer and manufacturer of specialized mining equipment, is seeking a highly competent Mechanical Engineer to join their innovative team in Polokwane, Limpopo. This role is critical for the design, development, and improvement of robust and efficient machinery used in demanding mining environments. You will be involved in conceptualization, detailed design, stress analysis, and product validation, ensuring that equipment meets stringent performance, safety, and reliability standards. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in heavy machinery design, a strong grasp of mechanical engineering principles, and a passion for solving complex engineering challenges in the mining sector. This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute to the advancement of mining technology within a company renowned for its quality and innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design and development of new mining equipment, from concept through to production.
• Conduct detailed engineering analysis, including stress, fatigue, and thermal analysis, using FEA software to ensure structural integrity and performance.
• Develop and maintain 3D CAD models, 2D manufacturing drawings, and Bills of Materials (BOMs) using industry-standard software.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including electrical engineers, hydraulics specialists, manufacturing, and field service, to ensure integrated solutions.
• Specify materials and manufacturing processes for components, ensuring suitability for harsh mining conditions.
• Oversee prototype testing and validation, analyze results, and implement design improvements.
• Provide technical support to the manufacturing team during production and to the field service team for troubleshooting.
• Stay abreast of the latest technologies and best practices in mining equipment design and safety standards.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in mechanical design, with a significant focus on heavy industrial machinery, preferably in the mining sector.
• Expertise in 3D CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, Inventor, CATIA) and advanced FEA tools (e.g., ANSYS, Abaqus).
• Strong understanding of mechanical design principles, material science, fatigue analysis, and manufacturing processes for robust applications.
• Experience in designing for extreme environments and understanding of relevant safety regulations.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong leadership, communication, and project management abilities.
• Professional Engineer (Pr. Eng) registration with ECSA is highly preferred.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary package with significant performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical aid, life insurance, and retirement fund benefits.
• Relocation assistance for candidates moving to the area.
• Excellent opportunities for professional growth, advanced training, and career progression.
• Exposure to cutting-edge technology in the mining equipment sector.
• Chance to work on challenging and impactful projects.