Principal Mechanical Engineer: Advanced Materials Innovator

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 1,600,000 - 3,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive compensation package with **

Health, wellness, and retirement plans

Support for international conferences

Sandton on-site work environment

Job summary

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.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Advanced materials engineering

Leadership

Project management

Communication skills

Publications / patents desirable

Education

PhD or MSc in Mechanical Engineering or Materials Science

Tools

Abaqus

ANSYS

Job description

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.