Principal Mechanical Engineer - Industrial Machinery Design

Placements24; Durban; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Industry-leading compensation package

Private medical insurance

Retirement fund contribution

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer for our Durban facility to lead the design of high‑performance industrial machinery. You will guide projects from concept through production, mentor junior engineers, and drive innovations across mining, manufacturing and material handling sectors.

The role requires a strong analytical mindset, 10+ years in heavy industrial design, and expertise in CAD and advanced simulation tools.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 10 years in mechanical design/engineering of heavy industrial machinery.
• Proven leadership of engineering projects and teams.
• Expertise with CAD software and advanced simulation tools (FEA/CFD).
• Strong knowledge of materials, manufacturing processes, and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design and development of complex industrial machinery from concept to production.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineers and designers.
• Perform advanced analyses (FEA, CFD, dynamic simulations) to validate designs.
• Develop innovative design solutions to improve performance, reliability, and manufacturability.
• Oversee material and component selection for demanding environments.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure project success.
• Create and maintain design documentation, BOMs, specs, and validation reports.
• Champion best practices and regulatory compliance in mechanical design.

Skills

Leadership

CAD software

FEA/CFD

Project management

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Inventor

AutoCAD

ANSYS

Abaqus

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a renowned manufacturer of high-performance industrial machinery, is seeking a distinguished Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead critical design initiatives at their facility in **Durban, KwaZulu-Natal**. This senior role demands exceptional technical leadership and a profound understanding of complex mechanical systems. You will be at the forefront of designing innovative solutions for heavy-duty industrial equipment, impacting sectors such as mining, manufacturing, and material handling. We are looking for a visionary engineer who can guide projects from conceptualization through to successful implementation, mentor junior engineers, and drive technological advancements within the team. The successful candidate will possess a strong analytical mindset, extensive experience in complex machinery design, and a commitment to delivering robust, reliable, and efficient engineering solutions. This is a key position that offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on the company's product portfolio and technological direction in Durban .

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design and development of complex industrial machinery, from concept to production.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to a team of mechanical engineers and designers.
• Conduct advanced engineering analyses, including Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), and dynamic simulations.
• Develop innovative design solutions that enhance product performance, reliability, and manufacturability.
• Oversee the selection of materials and components, ensuring suitability for demanding industrial environments.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including project management, manufacturing, and sales, to ensure project success.
• Develop and manage design documentation, including detailed drawings, BOMs, specifications, and validation reports.
• Champion best practices in mechanical design, ensuring adherence to safety standards and regulatory requirements.
• Stay current with emerging technologies and industry trends relevant to industrial machinery.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in mechanical design and engineering, with a significant focus on heavy industrial machinery.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in managing engineering projects and teams.
• Expertise in CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, Inventor, AutoCAD) and advanced simulation tools (e.g., ANSYS, Abaqus).
• In-depth knowledge of industrial equipment design principles, materials, and manufacturing processes.
• Proven ability to solve complex engineering problems and deliver innovative solutions.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong project management and organizational capabilities.
• Familiarity with the industrial landscape in KwaZulu-Natal is a plus.

Benefits

• Our client offers an industry-leading compensation package for this senior role, including a highly competitive base salary, performance bonuses, and comprehensive benefits.
• These include private medical insurance, a generous retirement fund contribution, and ample paid time off.
• Opportunities for continued professional development, including advanced training and conference attendance, are readily available.
• Employees will have access to modern engineering facilities and advanced technological resources.
• This role is based at our Durban facility, offering a stable and collaborative work environment.
• We are committed to fostering career growth and providing a challenging yet rewarding career path for our Principal Mechanical Engineers.