Remote Lead Mechanical Engineer — Product Innovation Leader

Placements24; Klerksdorp; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,700,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity options

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Remote work stipend

Unlimited PTO

401(k) plan with company match

Professional development budget

Remote-first culture

Opportunity to shape product evolution

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Lead Mechanical Engineer to spearhead product development initiatives in a fully remote role. You will lead a team of mechanical engineers, guiding design from concept through mass production, while collaborating with electrical, software, and marketing teams.

This is a senior, strategic position focused on delivering innovative electro-mechanical systems. The ideal candidate has 10+ years in mechanical product development, expert CAD/simulation skills, and

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in mechanical engineering with product development focus.
• Experience leading engineering teams and managing complex projects.
• Expertise in CAD software (SolidWorks, CATIA, Fusion 360) and advanced simulation tools (FEA, CFD).
• Deep understanding of DFM and DFA principles.
• Experience with manufacturing processes (injection molding, CNC, stamping).
• Excellent strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication and remote collaboration skills.
• Experience in consumer electronics or complex electro-mechanical systems preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of mechanical engineers, fostering a culture of innovation and high performance.
• Oversee the entire product development lifecycle for mechanical components and systems, from concept generation to mass production.
• Drive the design, analysis, prototyping, and testing of new mechanical products.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including electrical, software, industrial design, and marketing.
• Define technical requirements, specifications, and architectural designs for new products.
• Implement best practices in mechanical design, simulation, and validation.
• Manage project timelines, budgets, and resource allocation for mechanical development activities.
• Ensure product designs meet quality, reliability, performance, and cost targets.
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and industry trends to identify new product opportunities.
• Present technical designs and project status updates to senior management and stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Strategic thinking

Problem solving

Communication

Remote collaboration

Technical leadership

Education

Master's or PhD in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

CATIA

Fusion 360

FEA

CFD

DFM/ DFA

Job description

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Lead Mechanical Engineer to spearhead product development initiatives in a fully remote role. You will lead a team of mechanical engineers, guiding design from concept through mass production, while collaborating with electrical, software, and marketing teams.

This is a senior, strategic position focused on delivering innovative electro-mechanical systems. The ideal candidate has 10+ years in mechanical product development, expert CAD/simulation skills, and