Principal Mechanical Engineer - Advanced Materials

Placements24; Sandton; Ibrido; ZAR 1.600.000 - 3.200.000; Tempo pieno

Vantaggi offerti da questo lavoro

Executive compensation package with **

Health, wellness, and retirement plans

Support for international conferences

Sandton on-site work environment

Descrizione del lavoro

Placements24 in Sandton, South Africa seeks a Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead the mechanical design, analysis, and implementation of systems using advanced materials. You will drive innovation from concept to prototype, delivering validated performance and mentoring a team of engineers.

The ideal candidate has 10–12 years of experience, a PhD or Masters in Mechanical Engineering or Materials Science, and strong FEA skills with Abaqus/ANSYS.

Competenze

• PhD or MSc in Mechanical Engineering or Materials Science.
• 10–12 years of progressive experience in mechanical design and analysis with advanced materials.
• Deep expertise in composites, high-strength alloys, ceramics and polymers; strong FEA skills.
• Publications and/or patents are highly desirable.

Mansioni

• Lead mechanical design and analysis of complex systems using advanced materials.
• Develop novel design methodologies for composites, nanomaterials, and high-performance polymers.
• Perform stress, fatigue, thermal, and vibration analysis with FEA tools.
• Collaborate with materials scientists to bridge discovery and engineering.
• Oversee selection, characterization, and testing of advanced materials.
• Manage design and fabrication of prototypes with rigorous validation.
• Provide mentorship to engineers and researchers.
• Contribute to IP generation, patent applications, and publications.
• Engage with clients to understand requirements and present technical solutions.

Conoscenze

Advanced materials engineering

Leadership

Project management

Communication skills

Publications / patents desirable

Formazione

PhD or MSc in Mechanical Engineering or Materials Science

Strumenti

Abaqus

ANSYS

Descrizione del lavoro

About the Role

Our client, a pioneering research and development firm focused on advanced materials and their applications, is seeking an exceptional Principal Mechanical Engineer to join their team in Sandton, Gauteng. This senior role will focus on the mechanical design, analysis, and implementation of systems and products utilizing novel materials, including composites, advanced alloys, and ceramics. You will be a key technical leader, driving innovation from conceptualization through to prototype development and performance validation. The ideal candidate will possess an in-depth understanding of material mechanics, structural analysis, and the unique challenges associated with designing with cutting-edge materials. You will work on high-impact projects across various sectors, including aerospace, automotive, and energy. This is an unparalleled opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking advancements in material science and engineering.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design and analysis of complex systems and components that incorporate advanced materials.


• Develop novel design methodologies and analytical techniques tailored for the unique properties of advanced materials (e.g., composites, nanomaterials, high-performance polymers).


• Conduct extensive stress, fatigue, thermal, and vibration analysis using advanced FEA tools.


• Collaborate with materials scientists and researchers to bridge the gap between material discovery and practical engineering applications.


• Oversee the selection, characterization, and testing of advanced materials for specific applications.


• Manage the design and fabrication of prototypes, ensuring rigorous testing and validation processes.


• Provide expert technical guidance and mentorship to a team of engineers and researchers.


• Contribute to intellectual property generation, patent applications, and technical publications.


• Engage with clients and stakeholders to understand requirements and present technical solutions.

Requirements

• Doctoral degree (Ph.D.) or Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related field.


• A minimum of 10-12 years of progressive experience in mechanical design and analysis, with a significant specialization in advanced materials engineering.


• Extensive experience with advanced materials such as composites, high-strength alloys, ceramics, and polymers.


• Deep expertise in advanced Finite Element Analysis (FEA) techniques and software (e.g., Abaqus, ANSYS).


• Proven track record of leading R&D projects and bringing innovative concepts to fruition.


• Strong understanding of material characterization, testing methodologies, and failure analysis.


• Excellent leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills.


• Publications in peer-reviewed journals and/or patent filings are highly desirable.


• Experience in sectors like aerospace, automotive, or biomedical engineering is a plus.

Benefits

• Executive-level compensation package, including base salary, significant bonus potential, and equity options.


• Comprehensive health, wellness, and retirement benefits.


• Unparalleled opportunities for cutting-edge research and development.


• Support for attending international conferences and professional development.


• Work in a highly collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment in Sandton.


• Exposure to diverse, high-impact projects across multiple industries.


• Opportunity to shape the future of material-driven innovation.