Mechanical Engineer Senior

Johnson Outdoors; KwaZulu-Natal; On-site; ZAR 520,000 - 780,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition assistance

Performance bonus

Job summary

Endless Summer Technologies, a SCUBAPRO division of Johnson Outdoors, is seeking a Snr Mechanical Engineer to lead innovative product designs from concept to production release. Based in La Mercy, Durban, you will drive design improvements, coordinate tooling and fabrication, and ensure timelines, costs, and quality targets are met.

The role requires a strong background in mechanical design, 3D CAD (SolidWorks), and hands-on development experience across the product lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in mechanical design for consumer/product development.

Responsibilities

• Independently design and develop innovative new products from concept through production release.
• Recommend manufacturing and design fabrication approaches to meet best practices and cost targets.
• Perform prototype design experimentation and evaluate prototype performance and reliability.
• Write product specifications, drawings, and testing verification methods; publish results.
• Conduct feasibility evaluations, testing, and cost estimates for development and tooling.
• Troubleshoot mechanical design issues during development and collaborate with internal teams.
• Produce project documentation including prints, engineering files, supplier communications, and ECOs.
• Assist operations and suppliers through development stages with tooling and assembly planning.
• Manage moderate to complex projects from concept to completion, maintaining timelines and budgets.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Mechanical design

3D CAD

Product development

Manufacturing knowledge

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

About the Role

Endless Summer Technologies, a manufacturing division of SCUBAPRO, a Johnson Outdoors company, is one the most respected and recognized brands in the global diving industry. The brand is trusted by recreational and professional divers for more than 60 years.

MECHANICAL ENGINEER SNR

About the Role: Endless Summer Technologies, a manufacturing division of SCUBAPRO, a Johnson Outdoors company, is one the most respected and recognized brands in the global diving industry. The brand is trusted by recreational and professional divers for more than 60 years.

We are seeking a Snr Mechanical Engineer based in La Mercy, Durban. This individual is required to independently perform innovative complex mechanical design and development for new products from conception through production release and designs improvements for existing products. This incumbent will be responsible for successful completion of the design, testing, specification, documentation, and qualification of products throughout the project lifecycle and establish and meet targeted project, timeline, cost, and quality objectives.

Johnson Outdoors operates globally with 1,300 employees across 18 facilities and a portfolio of market-leading brands in fishing, watercraft, camping, and diving. Together, we create amazing outdoor experiences for adventurers around the world in more than 80 countries.

Help Shape the Future of Diving

What you will do

• Independently, creates innovative new product designs in response to new product concepts through development and initial production efficiently and effectively based on thorough knowledge of company strategy and needs and advanced design skills. Constructs and maintains new product timelines, which include required external resources. Additionally designs and develops improvements to existing products.
• Recommends manufacturing (MFG) and design fabrication/construction applicable to best practice. Troubleshoots design obstructions and provides cost effective solutions.
• Performs prototype design experimentation, rapid prototype, and conventional prototype fabrication. Evaluates prototype design(s) for performance and reliability.
• Writes products specifications and provides prints documentation and testing verification methods to source and inspect the product. Ensures the product meets specifications and publishes testing results.
• Conducts and documents technical feasibility evaluations, qualifications field and competitive testing to verify the design. Formulates development, unit, and tooling cost estimates.
• Performs advanced troubleshooting of mechanical design issues during development after the production start. Collaborates with various internal teams to resolve issues and ensure the development of a quality product that supports company and consumer needs.
• Produces project documentation that includes prints, engineering files, supplier communications and Engineering Change Orders (ECO’s).
• Assists operations and outside suppliers through new product development stages of new products with tooling, process methods, assembly plans and forecasting capacity requirements.
• Manages a variety of moderately complex to complex projects from concept, design, and through completion. Develops timelines and ensure project success by maintaining timeline targets, budget responsibilities and quality requirements.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

What you need to succeed

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering (BEng/BSc/BTech Mechanical Engineering)
• Typically requires a minimum of 5 years’ experience in mechanical design engineering within consumer product design.
• Experience or strong understanding in Plastic Injection moulding processes and design.
• Toolmaking qualification or experience would be highly advantageous
• Additional training in CNC Programming, or Moldflow Analysis preferred
• End-to-end product development experience from concept generation through production release.
• Advanced skills in generating, designing, and executing concepts into manufacturable designs.
• Advanced proficiency in 3D CAD systems with productive skill sets to meet all facets of design (Solidworks)

A few pointers about our culture

• Entrepreneurial spirit and innovation are in our bones! We authentically innovate trusted equipment that gets people out in the great outdoors.
• We are laser-focused on our consumers, and passionate about providing superior solutions flexible to meet any event’s needs or mission requirements.
• We strive to create meaningful, healthy change in the world as individuals and as a family of brands.
• We value team members who are willing to wear many hats; who take personal initiative, anticipating what needs to be done, and figuring things out to make them happen; but who are also willing to ask help, to assist others and work together.

What you will receive

• Share in the company’s success with competitive base salary with additional earning potential through participation in the management bonus program, and eligibility for annual pay increases.
• Find work/life balance
• Further your career with performance development and training opportunities, including our tuition assistance program.
• Have fun at work, enjoying a collaborative and casual work environment.

Business & Brand Snapshot

• Industry: Outdoor Recreation & Consumer Products
• Business Unit: Diving
• Brands: SCUBAPRO®
• Products: Dive Computers, Regulators, BCDs, Dive Instruments, Underwater Equipment and Accessories
• Key Skills: Global Trade Show Management, Retail Merchandising, POP/POS Display Development, Sales Enablement, Dealer Marketing, Brand Activation, Sales Enablement, Field Marketing Leadership, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Go-to-Market Strategy, Marketing Analytics, Event Marketing
• Technology Focus: Dive Computers, Wearable Technology, Underwater Electronics, Pressure Systems, Life-Support Equipment, Connected Devices

JOHNSON OUTDOORS is a leading global innovator of outdoor recreation equipment and technologies that inspire more people to experience the awe of the great outdoors. The company designs, manufactures and markets a portfolio of winning, consumer-preferred brands across four categories: Watercraft Recreation, Fishing, Diving and Camping. Johnson Outdoors' iconic brands include: Old Town® canoes and kayaks; Ocean Kayak™; Carlisle® paddles; Minn Kota® fishing motors, batteries and anchors; Cannon® downriggers; Humminbird® marine electronics and charts; SCUBAPRO® dive equipment; Jetboil® outdoor cooking systems. Founded in 1970 by Samuel C. Johnson, the Company has delivered double-digit compound annual growth over its history, evolving from a single brand into a nearly $592.8 million global enterprise with around 1,300 employees across 20 countries.

Check us out at SCUBAPRO or find us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or YouTube!