Product Development Engineer

Placements24; Paarl; Hybrid; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Health and retirement benefits

Professional development opportunities

Access to cutting-edge technology

Job summary

Placements24 seeks an innovative Product Development Engineer to join its R&D team in Paarl. You will drive new mechanical products from concept to market, collaborating with marketing, design, and manufacturing to ensure customer fit and commercial viability.

The ideal candidate will have a strong mechanical engineering background, 5+ years in product development, expertise in Inventor/SolidWorks, and a track record of managing projects end-to-end.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering.
• 5+ years in product development and mechanical design.
• Proven ability to manage projects from concept to launch.
• Proficient in CAD and simulation tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design and development of new products, from ideation through to commercialization.
• Conduct feasibility studies and market research for potential new product concepts.
• Create detailed 3D models, technical drawings, and prototypes for evaluation.
• Perform design validation testing and analysis to ensure product performance and reliability.
• Collaborate with suppliers and manufacturing partners to optimize designs for production.
• Contribute to intellectual property generation through patent applications and disclosures.

Skills

Product development

Mechanical design

CAD: Inventor/SolidWorks

Project management

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Inventor

SolidWorks

Job description

About the Role

Our client is looking for an innovative Product Development Engineer to join their dedicated R&D team in Paarl . This role is central to bringing new mechanical products from concept to market, involving research, design, prototyping, testing, and refinement. You will collaborate closely with marketing, design, and manufacturing teams to ensure products meet customer needs and are commercially viable. The ideal candidate is a creative problem-solver with a passion for innovation and a strong grasp of mechanical engineering principles applied to product design. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of our client's product portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design and development of new products, from ideation through to commercialization.
• Conduct feasibility studies and market research for potential new product concepts.
• Create detailed 3D models, technical drawings, and prototypes for evaluation.
• Perform design validation testing and analysis to ensure product performance and reliability.
• Collaborate with suppliers and manufacturing partners to optimize designs for production.
• Contribute to intellectual property generation through patent applications and disclosures.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in product development and mechanical design.
• Proven ability to manage projects from concept to launch.
• Expertise in CAD software (e.g., Inventor , SolidWorks) and simulation tools.
• Strong understanding of materials, manufacturing processes, and product lifecycle management.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package with performance incentives.
• Hybrid work model offering flexibility and work-life integration in the scenic Paarl region.
• Comprehensive health and retirement benefits.
• Access to cutting-edge technology and professional development opportunities.
• A dynamic and creative work environment focused on innovation and product excellence.