Remote Mechanical Engineer - Product Development

Placements24; Gqeberha; Hybrid; ZAR 248,000 - 441,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive hourly rate

Remote contractor role

Flexible hours

Global team

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Remote Mechanical Engineer to join a distributed, South Africa-based team. You will contribute to conceptualization, design, and testing of consumer products and electromechanical devices, using CAD tools and remote collaboration to drive successful outcomes.

The role emphasizes independent work, strong engineering fundamentals, and the ability to coordinate with overseas partners while maintaining meticulous documentation and design traceability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in mechanical design and product development.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD software (Fusion 360, SolidWorks, Onshape).
• Experience with FEA for design analysis.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes (injection molding, 3D printing, CNC).
• Strong communication for remote collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop mechanical components and systems for new product introductions using CAD software.
• Conduct design validation through simulations (FEA) and physical prototyping.
• Create detailed drawings, specifications, and BOMs.
• Collaborate with remote cross-functional teams via virtual tools.
• Research and select materials and manufacturing processes for cost-effective production.
• Support overseas production partners during design transitions.
• Troubleshoot design issues and propose practical solutions.
• Contribute to product requirement definitions and feasibility studies.
• Maintain thorough documentation of design decisions and project progress.

Skills

Remote collaboration

Independent work

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Fusion 360

SolidWorks

Onshape

FEA

3D printing

CNC machining

Job description

About the Role Our client, a fast-growing product development firm, is seeking a talented and motivated Remote Mechanical Engineer to join their distributed team. This is a fully remote position, offering the flexibility to work from anywhere within **South Africa**.

You will play a key role in the conceptualization, design, and testing of innovative consumer products and electromechanical devices. This role requires a strong understanding of mechanical design principles, materials, and manufacturing processes, coupled with excellent remote collaboration skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop mechanical components and systems for new product introductions using CAD software.
• Conduct design validation through simulations (FEA) and physical prototyping.
• Create detailed technical drawings, specifications, and Bills of Materials (BOMs).
• Collaborate effectively with remote cross-functional teams including industrial designers, electrical engineers, and software developers via virtual communication tools.
• Research and select appropriate materials and manufacturing processes for cost-effective production.
• Assist in the transition of designs to manufacturing, providing support to overseas production partners.
• Troubleshoot design issues and propose practical solutions.
• Contribute to product requirement definition and feasibility studies.
• Maintain thorough documentation of design decisions and project progress.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• 3-5 years of experience in mechanical design and product development.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD software (e.g., Fusion 360, SolidWorks, Onshape).
• Experience with FEA for design analysis.
• Knowledge of various manufacturing processes (e.g., injection molding, 3D printing, CNC machining).
• Excellent understanding of material properties and selection.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills to effectively manage a remote workload.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, particularly for remote collaboration.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative.
• Must have a reliable internet connection and a dedicated workspace conducive to remote work.

Benefits

• This remote contractor role offers a competitive hourly rate or fixed project fee, flexible working hours, and the opportunity to work on diverse and exciting product development projects.
• You will gain valuable experience with a cutting-edge company that embraces remote work.
• While this is a contractor position, there is potential for longer-term engagements based on performance and project needs.
• You will collaborate with a globally distributed team, expanding your professional network.
• We value autonomy and results, providing a platform for engineers to excel from anywhere.