Mechanical Project Engineer - Automotive Systems

Placements24; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Provident fund

Performance bonuses

Career advancement

Training programs

Job summary

Placements24 in Gauteng seeks a proactive Mechanical Project Engineer to manage automotive projects from inception to completion at our Tembisa facility. You will coordinate R&D, production and quality teams to deliver new designs, process improvements and equipment installations.

The role requires a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering, 5+ years in project management, and strong CAD/PM tooling skills. You will lead multi‑discipline teams and drive continuous improvement in a fast-paced

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and 5+ years of mechanical engineering project management experience.
• Strong understanding of automotive systems and component design principles.
• Proficiency in MS Project/Asana and CAD software; excellent organizational and leadership skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet strict deadlines; strong communication and negotiation skills.
• Experience with quality management systems (e.g., ISO/TS 16949) is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage multiple mechanical engineering projects, ensuring timely delivery within budget and scope.
• Develop project plans, timelines, and resource requirements with stakeholders.
• Oversee design and development of mechanical systems, components, and tooling for automotive applications.
• Coordinate with suppliers and internal teams for procurement, manufacturing, and assembly.
• Conduct feasibility studies, risk assessments, and technical reviews.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and safety protocols.
• Prepare and present project status reports and technical documentation.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues; drive continuous improvement in engineering and manufacturing processes.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Negotiation

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

MS Project

Asana

CAD software

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a dynamic and growing automotive component manufacturer located in **Tembisa, Gauteng**. We are looking for a proactive and detail-oriented Mechanical Project Engineer to manage and execute various engineering projects from inception to completion. This role is critical in ensuring the timely and cost-effective delivery of new product designs, process improvements, and equipment installations. The successful candidate will work closely with R&D, production, and quality departments to drive innovation and maintain the highest standards of engineering practice. If you are passionate about automotive engineering and thrive in a fast-paced, hands‑on environment, this is the perfect opportunity for you to contribute to a company at the forefront of its industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage multiple mechanical engineering projects, ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget, and to scope.


• Develop project plans, timelines, and resource requirements in collaboration with stakeholders.


• Oversee the design and development of mechanical systems, components, and tooling for automotive applications.


• Coordinate with external suppliers and internal teams for procurement, manufacturing, and assembly of project deliverables.


• Conduct feasibility studies, risk assessments, and technical reviews for proposed projects.


• Ensure compliance with all relevant industry standards, regulations, and safety protocols.


• Prepare and present project status reports, technical documentation, and final project reviews.


• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues that arise during project execution.


• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the engineering and manufacturing processes.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline.


• A minimum of 5 years of proven experience in mechanical engineering project management, preferably within the automotive sector.


• Strong understanding of automotive systems and component design principles.


• Proficiency in project management software (e.g., MS Project, Asana) and CAD software.


• Excellent organizational, planning, and leadership skills.


• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet strict deadlines.


• Strong communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to liaise effectively with diverse teams and external partners.


• Experience with quality management systems (e.g., ISO/TS 16949) is advantageous.


• Demonstrated ability to identify and mitigate project risks.

Benefits

This role offers a competitive annual salary, comprehensive medical aid, a provident fund, performance-based incentives, and significant opportunities for career advancement within a leading automotive supplier. The position requires a physical presence at our **Tembisa, Gauteng** facility. We invest in our employees' professional growth through ongoing training and development programs.