Principal Mechanical Engineer - Industrial Machinery Leader

Placements24; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 3,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive compensation package

Medical insurance

Retirement savings plan

Extended leave

Job summary

Placements24 is recruiting a Principal Mechanical Engineer for its Pretoria, Gauteng facility. This senior role requires leading design and optimization of large-scale industrial machinery, including automation and material handling systems.

You will mentor engineers, shape technical strategy, and drive innovation across product portfolios. The ideal candidate has a PhD or Master’s in Mechanical Engineering, 12+ years of experience, and proven leadership delivering complex projects.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master's in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum 12 years in mechanical design/engineering, with a substantial focus on industrial machinery or complex systems.
• Proven principal or lead engineer delivering major projects.
• Expertise in CAD software (Siemens NX, SolidWorks) and simulation tools (ANSYS, ADAMS).
• In-depth knowledge of mechanisms, kinematics, dynamics, thermodynamics, and machine design principles.
• Experience with precision machining, fabrication, and assembly.
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to think strategically and drive technical direction for the organization.

Responsibilities

• Lead the conceptual design and detailed engineering of large-scale industrial machinery, including automation systems, material handling equipment, and processing machinery.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to mechanical engineering teams, fostering innovation and continuous improvement.
• Conduct advanced engineering analyses, including dynamic simulations, thermal management, and reliability studies, to ensure robust designs.
• Oversee the selection of materials and components, balancing performance, cost, and manufacturability.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including electrical, software, and manufacturing engineers, to ensure successful product development and integration.
• Develop and implement validation and testing strategies for new designs and product enhancements.
• Drive the development of technical standards, best practices, and design tools within the engineering department.
• Represent the engineering team in product strategy meetings and interface with key stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic thinking

Problem solving

Education

Ph.D./MSc in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Siemens NX

SolidWorks

ANSYS

ADAMS

Job description

Placements24 is recruiting a Principal Mechanical Engineer for its Pretoria, Gauteng facility. This senior role requires leading design and optimization of large-scale industrial machinery, including automation and material handling systems.

You will mentor engineers, shape technical strategy, and drive innovation across product portfolios. The ideal candidate has a PhD or Master’s in Mechanical Engineering, 12+ years of experience, and proven leadership delivering complex projects.