Principal Mechanical Engineer (Aerospace) - Remote

Placements24; Durban; Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 3,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead the design and development of advanced aerospace mechanical systems in a fully remote division. The role requires global collaboration, mentoring of senior engineers, and guiding complex technical initiatives to drive innovation in aviation and space technologies.

The ideal candidate has a PhD or Master s in Mechanical Engineering with 10–12 years of aerospace experience, and strong expertise in structural analysis, dynamics, and

Qualifications

• PhD or Master s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related aerospace discipline.
• 10 years of aerospace mechanical design and engineering experience.
• Expertise in structural analysis, dynamics, thermal management, and materials science for aerospace.
• Experience with CATIA, ANSYS, and NASTRAN.
• Ability to lead technical projects and drive aerospace innovation.
• Knowledge of aerospace standards, regulations, and certification processes.
• Excellent leadership and remote collaboration and stakeholder engagement.
• Ability to work independently in a remote setting.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and validation of advanced aerospace mechanical systems.
• Provide expert technical direction and mentorship to engineering teams on complex mechanical design challenges.
• Develop and implement novel design solutions that meet stringent aerospace requirements for performance, reliability, and safety.
• Conduct advanced engineering analyses, including structural mechanics, thermal analysis, vibration, and fatigue life prediction.
• Author and review critical design documents, specifications, and technical reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with systems engineers, manufacturing engineers, and quality assurance to ensure design for manufacturability and assembly.
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and industry trends in aerospace mechanical engineering.
• Participate in design reviews and technical interchange meetings, providing authoritative guidance.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex design and manufacturing issues encountered during development and production.
• Contribute to proposals and new business development efforts by providing technical expertise.

Skills

Leadership

Remote collaboration

Project management

Technical mentoring

Education

PhD or Master7s in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CATIA

ANSYS

NASTRAN

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a globally recognized leader in aerospace technology, is actively seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to join their pioneering, fully remote engineering division. This critical role is dedicated to advancing the design and development of highly complex mechanical systems for next-generation aircraft and spacecraft. As a Principal Engineer, you will serve as a technical authority, guiding project direction, mentoring senior engineers, and tackling the most challenging design problems. This position is entirely remote, offering you the flexibility to work from anywhere while contributing to groundbreaking innovations that shape the future of flight. We are looking for an individual with extensive experience in aerospace mechanical design, a deep theoretical understanding, and a proven ability to lead complex technical initiatives. If you are driven by innovation and possess an unwavering commitment to engineering excellence, this is the perfect opportunity to elevate your career. The role offers unparalleled opportunities for growth and impact within the aerospace sector. This role is ideal for experienced engineers who thrive in an independent, results-oriented, remote-first environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the conceptualization, design, analysis, and validation of advanced mechanical systems for aerospace applications.
• Provide expert technical direction and mentorship to engineering teams on complex mechanical design challenges.
• Develop and implement novel design solutions that meet stringent aerospace requirements for performance, reliability, and safety.
• Conduct advanced engineering analyses, including structural mechanics, thermal analysis, vibration, and fatigue life prediction.
• Author and review critical design documents, specifications, and technical reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with systems engineers, manufacturing engineers, and quality assurance to ensure design for manufacturability and assembly.
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and industry trends in aerospace mechanical engineering.
• Participate in design reviews and technical interchange meetings, providing authoritative guidance.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex design and manufacturing issues encountered during development and production.
• Contribute to proposals and new business development efforts by providing technical expertise.

Requirements

• PhD or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related aerospace discipline.
• Minimum of 10-12 years of relevant experience in aerospace mechanical design and engineering.
• Deep expertise in structural analysis, dynamics, thermal management, and materials science relevant to aerospace.
• Extensive experience with advanced CAD/CAE tools (e.g., CATIA, ANSYS, NASTRAN).
• Proven track record of leading technical projects and driving innovation in aerospace.
• Strong understanding of aerospace standards, regulations, and certification processes.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and presentation skills, essential for remote collaboration and stakeholder engagement.
• Ability to work independently and make critical technical decisions in a remote setting.
• Experience with composite materials and manufacturing is highly desirable.
• Eligibility for security clearance may be required.

Benefits

• Highly competitive executive-level salary and bonus structure.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and life insurance plans.
• Generous retirement savings plan with significant employer contribution.
• Extensive opportunities for professional growth, advanced training, and conference attendance.
• Flexible remote work arrangement with cutting-edge collaboration tools.
• Significant autonomy and influence on key technical decisions.
• Performance-driven culture with opportunities for rapid advancement.
• The chance to work on mission-critical, cutting-edge aerospace projects.